Action of this bit please, contradicting advice

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Two Ring Gag

Getting very contradicting advice re gag bits. I always thought them to encourage higher head carriage??

Always been more of a fan of mullen mouthed pelhams, however currently researching other bits. This bit has been recommended to me, however will not be suitable if it does encourage higher head carriage. It is for a strong tb that doesn't like his current eggbutt snaffle and can have head way in the stars and become unsteerable.........

Knowledgeable advice appreciated, many thanks.
 
I have one of these for my boy and it produces extra pressure on the poll and the bars of the mouth, i have found it to stop him draggin his head down but it doesn't bring it up higher than i'd want it. He still goes long and low in it.
 
Its the cheltenham gag that raises the head.

Most horses that I've ridden in this have lowered their heads, so if so, it should help in your case. I don't like using them for too long. I find they tend to make the horse go behind the bit in a bit of a false outline, which I don't like. I use it with one of mine for xc or when he was a bit cheeky as a 5yr old. The rest of the time he is in a hang cheek snaffle.
 
Conflicting advise is correct for this bit

With a light rein, all aids will promote the mouthpiece sliding up the ring and producing a mild head raising effect

With a strong rein aid, the end point of the gag action is reach and the bit then levers round and applies poll action

Towards the mid range rein aid, you get mixed messages if you are the horse!

True running gags are the only proper head raisers - so thats anything that runs on a special gag cheek - Cheltenham , Balding, barry, nelson, are all variants of running gag depending on the mouthpiece!
 
Honey08 said:
Its the cheltenham gag that raises the head.

Most horses that I've ridden in this have lowered their heads, so if so, it should help in your case. I don't like using them for too long. I find they tend to make the horse go behind the bit in a bit of a false outline, which I don't like. I use it with one of mine for xc or when he was a bit cheeky as a 5yr old. The rest of the time he is in a hang cheek snaffle.
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I was reading an article in HH Honey, written by prof eventer (i think) and she said exactly the same. She uses a gag for a highly strung, strong youngster but does switch back and forth to a snaffle! This I think a good idea.

My horse in question is also still young, responsive to my leg and rounds nicely however can often stare at the stars in evasion or if over excited or if in awful temper or scared of something sticks head between legs and broncs to next week. Both can be very very difficult to control. Looking for happy medium....any further suggestions?
 
Have a look at the Nuhe Schule *spelling!* bits as they really do seem to do what it says on the tin. The milder the better but it has to suit the horses mouth confo. I got one because my horse didn't like his bit and was inconsistant in the contact and didn't look for a contact. I chose the one that most suited what I was aiming to acheive and it really has done what it said it would!

Also look at methods other than the bit to keep the head down. A big fluffy noseband can work wonders keeping their head down, and a martinggale might help too. Also think about different nosebands like the kineton, which take pressure off the mouth and onto the nose.
 
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