Fager John Sweet Iron Pelham

Fager John Pelham | Stable Contact for Strong, Sensitive Horses

The Fager John Pelham is designed for horses that feel strong in the hand, yet still need to confidently take and maintain a consistent contact.

This bit features Fager’s traditional 3 piece mouthpiece with seamless eyelets, creating a smoother, more refined feel across the tongue. For many horses, this design alone is enough to improve comfort, particularly those that are sensitive through the tongue but still require support and stability.

The seamless eyelets reduce friction and pressure points, helping the horse to stay softer in the mouth and more accepting of the contact.

How it works

The Pelham cheekpiece introduces leverage through the poll and curb chain, helping to rebalance the horse without increasing harshness in the mouthpiece.

When engaged, this encourages the horse to:
• Lower through the neck
• Soften into the contact
• Respond more clearly to half halts
• Stay lighter in the hand

With a longer shank than a Baby Pelham, this bit provides greater leverage and braking power, making it suitable for horses that need more influence and stability.

Best suited to horses that:

• Feel strong but still need to take a consistent contact
• Are resistant or inconsistent in the connection
• Need clearer brakes and more stability
• Become unsettled, chew, or throw the head
• Have a sensitive tongue but do not tolerate bulky or restrictive mouthpieces

Using a Pelham

This bit can be ridden with two reins or Pelham roundings.

• Top rein works as a snaffle
• Bottom rein engages the curb and leverage

Two reins allow more precise control over the amount of leverage used. More curb rein creates a lower, more compressed outline, while less maintains a lighter frame.

The Pelham redistributes pressure across the mouth, poll, and chin groove, supporting balance without relying solely on mouthpiece pressure.

Fit and sizing notes

True to size. If between sizes, size up.

Horses that are wider through the premolars may benefit from sizing up, as the upper shank sits slightly higher and requires adequate space.

Key features

• Traditional 3 piece mouthpiece with seamless eyelets
• Smoother feel for tongue sensitive horses
• Pelham cheekpiece for leverage and stability
• Encourages a softer, more consistent contact
• Suitable for strong or heavy horses
• Supplied with curb chain and hooks

Sizes & Thickness

• 105mm – 12mm
• 115mm – 12mm
• 125mm – 14mm
• 135mm – 14mm
• 145mm – 14mm