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HashRouge
18th Mar 2008, 10:14 PM
Hi everyone!
My arab mare has worn a snaffle with a running martingale all through the 6 years I have owned her. However, she tends to get strong in winter, and evades the bit by simply raising her head higher and higher even with the martingale. She can jog along like this for ages, and my aids have no effect. Anyway, my sisters gelding has been using a dutch gag, but is currently out of work so I decided to try it on Lou.
I noticed a big improvement when using the gag on the second ring without my martingale. I needed very little rein contact to stop her from jogging, and she also stopped lifting her head up. I don't know very much about bits though, so I was just wondering whether I have taken a big leap by going from a snaffle to a gag or if this is okay? Advice appreciated!
abrakadabra
24th Mar 2008, 02:21 PM
not really, and you can always try the gag on the snaffle hole to see if its the bit or the gag action thats stopping your horse.:)
blues mum
24th Mar 2008, 02:45 PM
A dutch gag is really designed to be used with two reins, or at least with roundings, with one rein always attatched to the snaffle hole.
by using a single rein on the lower rings then yes, it is a jump up from a normal snaffle.
Also I always thought that gag snaffles had the acton of raising the head.
mikh
24th Mar 2008, 04:46 PM
why not try a hanging cheek instead of dutch gag gives a little more poll prssure then simple snaffle
sharpsky
24th Mar 2008, 04:54 PM
A dutch gag is really designed to be used with two reins, or at least with roundings, with one rein always attatched to the snaffle hole.
by using a single rein on the lower rings then yes, it is a jump up from a normal snaffle.
Also I always thought that gag snaffles had the acton of raising the head.

dutch gags are not true gags and they apply poll pressure therefore lowering the head

some people may class it as a big jump but if she isnt jogging and is more relaxed in it then its not really a problem and you shouldnt need to carry on experimenting
xxxkristinaxxx
24th Mar 2008, 04:55 PM
Personally from a snaffle the next I would try is a hanging cheek which isn't that much different except. Then I would try a slotted kimblewick.