Rubber (happy mouth) pelham vs. Mullen Mouth pelham?
I’m getting a pelham for my horse (please, don’t tell me that my horse doesn’t need it. I have had multiple people including my trainer tell me it was a good idea to get a pelham for her) and I was going to go to the local tack store tomorrow to get it. I called them and told them I was looking for a rubber one but they don’t have the rubber in her size. They do, however, have a mullen mouth in her size. Is there much difference in these bits? Would it be worth just getting the mullen mouth or waiting for a new rubber one to come in? They said it could be up to a month, maybe even more, before they get new ones in..
There is some confusion in your question and I’ll try to help you sort it out…
Happy Mouths, Rubber Mouths, and Mullen Mouths are 3 different bits. Add the fact that Happy Mouths and Rubber Mouths also come in Mullen Mouth style.
Happy Mouth is special white plastic/rubbery flavored material that covers a cable to make it flexible and therefore, your horse, “happy”.
Rubber is black, rubber coated steel and is for horses who don’t like metal bits.
Mullen is a STYLE of mouth piece. It just means it is a straight (slightly rounded) solid bar instead of having any joints in it.
With that said, I know you don’t want people to tell you not to get a pelham, so I’m not going to do that, nor am I going to go into how these bits work. But, if this is the same mare you recently asked about a Segunda for, then it sounds like you are simply confused about what to do about her running away and pulling. That is a re-training issue and/or could be a pain issue.
Changing the bit may or may not help, but the most important thing is to get the exact bit your trainer recommends in the size he or she recommends. Period.
1. Ask your trainer which bit to get.
2. Buy that bit.
3. Learn how to use that bit correctly WITH the help of your trainer.
If the tack store has to order it? Order it.
If you can’t wait that long? Order it off the internet and it will arrive in 2-3 days.
Done.
Used in the right hands any bit can be useful. Used in the wrong hands any bit can be harmful.
Good luck and listen to your trainer. 
BTW-There is a coupon in my blog for HorseLoverz if you want to use it as the other as Laikan D said.
Charlie the Zebra, Episode 4-driving lesson