Dutch gag/ wonder bit and sweet iron question

[Harlequin32]

Does anyone know what the difference is? I know how both look but which is stronger I cant quite work out which would have most leverage action.
Also has anyone used a sweet Iron bit of any sort- how did your horse like it?

[emmathechief]

I have used a dutch gag but not a wonder bit, so my reply is probably one sided!!
I would say the severity would depend on the mouth piece. ie. straightbar, single joint, french link. But leverage would depend on the lenght of the shank. The longer the lenght the more leverage it would have. Looking at a pic of the Wonder Bit the shank looks to curve back towards the rider so I would imagine that takes away some of the leverage. However, the wonder bit is supposed to elevate the horse so perhaps the curve in the shank encourages lift.
IMO both bits should be used only when absolutely necessary and with double reins -that's just me though!
I have used a sweet iron bit once but the mouth piece didn't quite suit my horse! It's supposed to help salivate and accepting the bit. It's 5.5" pm if you want to try it!!
xx

[Harlequin32]

Thanks the offer of trying yours is very sweet, unfortunately he is a TB with a very narrow mouth and it would be too big!
Its interesting to hear other people's views Henry is very strong and i worry about someone leaving a gate open on a bridle way (onto a road or something)as this is the only thing that stops us at the moment!!
Any other suggestions would be great aswell- open to any old idea:D
I just want to have a canter!!!!!!!!!!!

[Roofio]

No idea about the wonder bit, but i use a sweet iron with J. he never salivated in any of his old stainless bits, but does in the sweet iron so a thumbs up for a dry mouthed horse from us.

[julia gulia]

I love your new signature Roofio .

[emmathechief]

Thanks the offer of trying yours is very sweet, unfortunately he is a TB with a very narrow mouth and it would be too big!
Its interesting to hear other people's views Henry is very strong and i worry about someone leaving a gate open on a bridle way (onto a road or something)as this is the only thing that stops us at the moment!!
Any other suggestions would be great aswell- open to any old idea:D
I just want to have a canter!!!!!!!!!!!

TB eh? Mine too!! Have you noticed any movement in the jaw while you are riding? Mine used to open her mouth so very obvious and I stuck a flash on with the dutch gag..... Worked for a while then she learnt to cross her jaw, so again, the bit had no effect.... in the end I went right back to basics with her and at 19 I'm re schooling!! She now has a thin, french link loose ring snaffle and a grackle nose band.
Have you tried different mouth pieces, to see if he accepts a different style? Might be worth a try.
xx

[Soot]

I ride Lucy in a sweet iron snaffle. She loves it - she can't wait to have it in her mouth and snatches it out of my hand :D.

Then again, Lucy is quite enthusiastic about riding anyway. She also likes her Myler and her rubber Pelham. She'd probably like a rope stuck in her gob if that was the key to getting through the gate and going on a ride!

[Harlequin32]

I tried a flash- he is very mouthy and wondered if this may help but it caused him to chuck his head and disco dance quite violently:D Bless he loves to dance!!
I think the flash restricted him too much and my aim is to ride in a snaffle with a normal noseband-- One day:rolleyes:
At the moment i have a myler borrowed from a friend but no difference so dont want to spend that much.