Dutch Gag

[jenmac_85]

OK, I am being a bit of a hypocrite and going against some of what I have said.

Decided that for Tyler in order to help me out a bit and after a bit of research a Dutch Gag is needed for when doing fast during a hack or jumping out of hte outdoor school.

Bought one today with a lozenge. I understand that this makes the bit slightly milder as it doesnt have as much of a nutcracker action as a single jointed snaffle. Also has loose rings which are apparently milder. Is this the way to go or am I totally on the wrong track?

x

[puzzles]

Loose rings apply a little pressure to the poll through their mobility when rein pressure is applied, so are 'harsher' than a fixed cheekpiece such as an eggbutt.

When It comes to bits it's pretty much trial and error ... try it and see how it goes. If your horse is strong or puts his had down/in and bombs off, a duthc gag may be useful as you can avry the leverage depending on whether you're schooling/he improves on it, and the nutcracker action pushes the mouthpiece into the roof of the mouth and corners, incouraging him to raise his head.
If, however, he tends to stick his head up to avoid the contact which lessens your control, then a pelham or kimblewick may prove to be more effective as it encourages the horse to tuck his head in a bit.

I would try which ever new bit/s you use in a safe, enclosed area first rather than when bombing across a field only to find that you have no brakes!

Good luck

x

[BabyBear]

You can only try it and see hun.

I like you, am a fan of schooling to solve the problem but if you horse tanks off with you on a road for example, like mind did last week:rolleyes:, you need to be able to stop them.

I'd be interested to find out how you get on.:)

[puzzles]

Hmm! Then again Splash is ridden in a dutch gag on the bottom ring, has quite a sensitive mouth, and yet is still strong and difficult to stop (I haven't hacked him out of walk yet :-/). He's not very well schooled and pretty unbalanced, even though he's nearly 11. Plus I can only ride him once a week, his owner and someone else does the rest ... :-( OT totally now!

x

[jenmac_85]

Thought a few more details would help. Had to post the OP really quickly.

Tyler has developed a habit of setting his head and neck in a fixed position and moving his jaw over to one side. Then off he goes.

I can't stop him unless I pull off some extremely strong half haults or pull the reins to one side.

Nik-n-Kia was riding him over jumps and he did exactly the same thing. In a way I dont feel as bad as at least I know it is not purely down to me, but it also worries me that if someone who has ridden for years cant stop him then I have no chance.

The last time he was directing himself to a lovely 4ft hedge which has a road on the other side.

When in the school he is fabulous and rarely puts a foot wrong so we use a eggbutt snaffle. When jumping in the school we use a snaffle, but to be honest I can't see any fast work on a hack or jumping outside of our school being done on a snaffle. He is far too strong. Cheeky boy that he is lol

[puzzles]

To help him soften his jaw, a mobile bit (i.e. one with mobile cheekpieces such as a loose full cheek to help with steering) plus lots of neck bending when warming up to help loosen his neck up and make setting it more difficult should he do so later on.
A moving mouthpiece will help him to soften his jaw and accept the bit & contact. If the bit won't move, how can he be expected to?
I think a mouthpiece that may help with your steering should help.

Good luck

x