bits..and a few questions about them

[iwtownsley]

i was firstly wondering about the gag.

does it put lots of pressure in the pole and how does it help you, and also does it put more pressure on the pole than the pellum does?

also does anyone recommend a good schoolong bit rather than a simple snaffle.

 

[monica123]

im no bit wiz......as oyu know issy

but....i THINK the pelham puts more pressure on the poll.....i bet i am wrong but hey ho

 

[iwtownsley]

I BET UR NOT...IM NOT THE BEST WITH BITS EITHER BUT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW IF ANYONE WANTS TO REPLY TO THIS POST!! *AHEM*

 

[Super_Kat]

The gag is designed to put preassure on the poll (also different points of the horses mouth e.g. corners etc). A Pelham puts a bit of preassure on the poll but it is mainly a curb action bit.

 

[monica123]

ooo...thanx s_k!

 

[iwtownsley]

thankyou!! that helps me alot!!!

 

[flyingfeet]

The bottom ring of a 4 ring gag puts a lot more pressure on the pole than a pelham, if you look at the mechanics of it a continental gag can essentially shorten the bridle by over 2 inches either side due to the fulcrum.

 

[helenandshadow]

A dutch gag uses alot of poll pressure to encourage the horse to lower its head. On the bottom ring it puts more pressure on the poll than a pelham because it is longer and therefore has more leverage, on the second ring it has a similar amount of poll pressure to the pelham, on the snaffle ring it has less. Although a pelham does use poll pressure it acts mainly on curb action.

I don't know what bit you usually use for schooling but you could use a hanging cheek snaffle, which uses poll pressure. You could try a different mouthpiece, maybe a french link. Obviously you could school in a dutch gag or a pelham but they aren't dressage legal.