A couple of questions re bits and feed :)

Girlychu

Girlychu

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Currently I use a jointed Dutch Gag - it came with him. My friend uses the same but with the french link. Could someone explain the pros and cons of either.

Also for those that feed Blue Chip orignial is it worth the money and what does it do to beneifit the horse. Sorry for the numpty questions bit of a yard debate going on at the mo. many thanks :)
 
Bit wise - is there a reason for the horse being in a Dutch Gag.

Some people use them for a horse that is strong. Most horses will go well in a normal single jointed Eggbutt or loose ring snaffle.

Tell us more about your horse and how he goes and we will be able to help you more about what bit might suit him.
 
Thanks for your reply Evelyn. Im sorry I didnt phrase the question well :( Both horse go fine in their bits it was more the action of the bits that Im unclear about. For example is the French link kinder/excert more poll pressure etc
 
The jointed mouthpiece acts like a nutcracker action on the tongue, and the french link sort of spreads the pressure out a bit on the tongue, therefore being the kinder of the two mouthpieces.
Both will have more poll pressure than a normal snaffle due to the design of the bit. Also the lower you have the rein, the more pressure will be felt for example the rein on the bottom ring is the most pressure and the rein on the snaffle ring will have less!
Hope that helps! :)
 
A single jointed bit can produce a 'nutcracker' action which some horses don't like. A bit with a french link encourages the horse to mouth the bit more and it is also harder for a horse to lean on the bit than in a single jointed bit. IMO I never use a single jointed bit but some horses do go very well in them. There is also a straight bar version of the gag for horses which do not like the amount of movement a french link mouthpiece gives. As for poll pressure etc, both bits will work in the same way as the mouthpiece does not alter the way the bit works. It depends on what ring the reins are on with a Dutch Gag - the first ring makes the bit work just as a snaffle with no poll pressure, the 2nd ring provides some poll pressure and the 3rd one even more poll pressure.

Not sure about the feed as I don't feed Blue Chip but I have always thought that it is a conditioning feed? Could be wrong though.

Hope this helps :)
 
Google sustainable dressage for a really good explanation of different bits and their action.

Dutch gags are horrid bits that are over used and mis understood. Try a simple double jointed snaffle and see how you get on. If you need more breaks or if the horse leans then you can try something else...... dutch gags are very rarely the best solution.

Oh and a dutch gag doesn't exert poll pressure, it is a gag with a lifting action.
 
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