American Gag Bit

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Niffer

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Anyone use an American Gag?

My horse goes beautifully in his JP curved mouthpiece loose ring snaffle for dressage and hacking; but when it comes to jumping he can be a bit naughty and rush into fences and either duck out at the last minute or go over and run on getting flatter and flatter!

Obviously, I need to do lots of warming up (and then a bit more!), get him really listening and in 'dressage mode' but I do need a stronger bit so that the habit of being able to run off with me is broken.

BTW he used to run off with me whilst hacking but no longer does. I used a 3 ring to break this habit.

I don't want to use the 3 ring for jumping as I hate the way it curls the head right down and under because of the poll action, I don't want to use a pelham as I prefer not to have 2 sets of reins for jumping.

Going back through my copies of H&H, the American Gag seems to raise the head as well as act on the poll. I can't see how this works, so would like your opinion on this one!

Thank you in advance!
 
the american gag also works on poll pressure- all gags do!lol

try a pelhem with roundings, then you only have to use one set of reins. also you could try roundings on the three ring, as then it shouldnt work so much on poll action. otherwise you could try the waterford bit or the maginuss bit - both prevent the horse leaning /grabbing the bit
 
Hi 'Only-me',

I agree with you about gags & poll pressure, so why would the American raise the head???

I may try the Pelham with roundings.... (worried it won't be strong enough.)

Not keen on waterford as my horse just seems to go "mmm that's comfy, off I go at full speed!"

I don't know what a maginuss is but I'll go off and do some research!

Also, I want to use a running martingale to stop him chucking his head in the air, but then again don't want to attach this to a 'bottom rein'!
 
sorry, mistype - it lowers the head, and pulls the head into the neck basically
gag.jpg


bit.jpg


this is the maguniess - it looks like a snaffle but is a lot stronger!
 
American gags are really strong bits as they have a long shank. I think they are stronger than continental snaffles. I would try either a waterford or cherry roller these will back him off the bit.
 
Don't want American Gag then!

BTW I'm always reminded of a Sabre Toothed Tiger when I see gags on horses including some of the showing pelhams you can get!

Your pic is of a McGenis bit which I shall now go off and learn about!
 
I use an American gag on my eventer, it raises the head as all poll pressure has the act of doing. It is a common misconception that poll pressure lowers the head. It is, however, a very severe bit and shouldn't be used by inexperienced hands. (Not that I'm saying you're inexperienced!)

lec's suggestion is a good one IMO.
 
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