Beris Pelham bits

Beris Pelham bits: leverage action combined with Beris anatomical mouthpieces

Beris Pelham bits combine the mechanical action of a Pelham with the range of anatomical mouthpieces developed by Beris. Like any Pelham bit, they combine pressure within the mouth, poll pressure transmitted through the cheekpieces, and chin pressure via the curb chain when the leverage comes into effect. The mouthpiece design then determines how the horse experiences contact inside the mouth.

Shank length: more or less leverage

On a Pelham bit, shank length plays a major role. Longer shanks increase the leverage ratio, amplifying the action applied to the mouth, curb chain, and poll. Conversely, shorter shanks provide a more direct action with a more moderate leverage effect. Choosing a particular shank length is therefore not simply a matter of severity but of selecting a different mechanical action that should be matched to both the horse and the rider's hands.

A wide range of Beris mouthpieces

One of the strengths of the Beris Pelham range is its variety of food-grade synthetic resin mouthpieces. Depending on the model, you will find straight, single-jointed, and double-jointed mouthpieces. Among the straight mouthpieces that have made the Beris brand well known are the Comfort, Comfort Thin, Prime, Konnex, Butterfly Bit, and tongue relief mouthpieces.

Each mouthpiece geometry has its own mechanical characteristics and influences the contact differently across the tongue, bars, and lips. The choice of mouthpiece should therefore be based on the horse's oral anatomy and the way it accepts the contact.

The Autopilot system: a unique ring configuration

Some Beris Pelham bits feature the Autopilot system. This design modifies the ring configuration by incorporating an integrated sliding mechanism, allowing the bit to act more progressively before the full leverage effect of the Pelham is engaged. This creates a different mechanical action from a traditional Pelham while retaining the characteristics of the selected mouthpiece.

Resin available in different levels of flexibility

Depending on the model, Beris offers different resin flexibilities (soft or hard). This primarily affects the feel of the contact and the flexibility of the mouthpiece itself without changing the fundamental mechanical principles of the Beris Pelham bit.

Choosing a Beris Pelham bit

The behaviour of a Beris Pelham bit always depends on the combination of several factors: shank length, ring configuration, mouthpiece geometry, mouthpiece flexibility, and the horse's oral conformation. This wide range of options makes it possible to tailor the bit precisely to the individual horse rather than viewing all Pelham bits as functioning in the same way.