Cheltenham gag...

[Drummer]

Hi, sorry I know lots of things have probably been posted about these bits but I couldn't find any of the info I wanted to know so thought someone may be able to help.

I have just just won a cheltenham gag from ebay which I intend to use for hunting and maybe x country. Alough I have my eye on a wateord mouth piece nelson gag for this for extra turning power. Providing of course he gets on with this bit.

I have hunted him in a dutch gag with roundings which is 'ok' but he is still incredibly strong and I spend the first half fighting him which I hate and stopping him from over taking the huntsman. Cobs sensible, peh!!

He loves his work so much and just wants to go, but he is a strapping 16.1 maxi cob type and my arms cannot take it anymore. He is schooled in a snaffle so can be sensible and works really nicely in this once chilled.

Just wondering if I am going down the right route trying this bit out and does anyone use it with just one rein????

I show him in a pelham which he is still very strong in but its works but I do not want him to associate the two disciplines and he would. Tried a kimblewick which he just didnt agree with straight away.

Any help and advice greatly appreciated even if you want to whinge at me ; )

Sorry for all the questions, its just that I do not know anyone that uses one so could nt bug my friends.

thanks

b

 

[KatB]

Hey, they are a completely different action to a dutch gag, as they are a true gag, they will lift the head, and can put severe pressure on the jaw. However, they can be very useful bits, and with two reins up are effectively the logical step up from a snaffle as you ride on the snaffle rein until necessary, then have the gag rein for extra "brakEs" when needed. They are commonly used with one rein, but personally I have only used two, as otherwise it is a constant "gag"action, and I feel it looses its effectiveness, and the horse can learn to evAde.

How does your horse get strong? Does he put his head up/down/just haul!??

 

[Drummer]

He is just full steam ahead, his strength comes from EVERYWHERE you can just feel nothing but power underneath you. His head isnt really much of a problem he keeps it pretty central not too low or knocking me out, I just wonder sometimes if there is really a brain rattleing around in there, lol.

thank you!!

 

[KatB]

Bless him!! One thing I will say, make sure you get the mouthpiece right, an uncomfortable mouthpiece can make them haul even more....

Good luck with it!

 

[Drummer]

Thank you, I will report back after my test drive eeek!!!

 

[Blizzard]

I ride my WB in a cheltenham gag and he needs it. He is very strong too, huge neck (2nd pic in siggy) , he espec needs it for XC but even hacking he can be strong when he gets full of it.

The leather runners in his recently snapped so I bought him another from ebay, this one had the rope runners, however the bit is actually chunkier too and he doesnt like it so Im going to have to fork out another £60 for the one he does like!

 

[LizzieJ]

I have a 17.2 maxi cob for hunting and I have used the cheltenham on her for the last couple of years. It has improved her tanking no end but I always use two reins, apart from the normal gag action reason I don't think i'd have any steering with just the gag rein. You can easily buy new cheeks for them if they stretch.

I did have one made with a french link mouthpiece which she seems to like but it cost about £100!

I have a spare single jointed mouth one which you're welcome to borrow.

 

[flyingfeet]

Hey St Bernard - why don't you just buy new cheeks for your gag??

 

[cazza]

just get new runners put on your original gag should only cost you about £25 or £30.

 

[Blizzard]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey St Bernard - why don't you just buy new cheeks for your gag??

[/ QUOTE ]

Ive noticed you can buy the new cheeks but I havent got a clue how you would fit them through the holes in the bit as the buckle and rein rings are too big to pass through thr bit and you cant take them off the straps from what I can see.

 

[cazza]

take them to your local saddler and they will take off the old ones and restitch on the new ones, alternatively if your new runners have the small rivet screw thingys on them, then cut the old ones off and just slide the new ones through and re-do up the rivety bits.

 

[sloulou]

Mine goes really well in a cherry roller balding gag (like cheltenham, but with loose rings, instead of fixed cheeks).

I have tried both 1 and two reins on him and he goes better with 1 rein (wrong I know). I find I rarely have to haul him now and if he does take hold, I can quickly control him again.

Should just add that I school him in a french link - whihc is fine.

 

[flyingfeet]

Here I go again!

We sell nylon or leather ones which have a chicago screw so you can take the gag bit on and off

We also have the fully nylon ones by Nath (look like the Neue Schule ones). These just loop round the buckle

 

[cazza]

Hey Cotswold, the name of that screw thingy was really bugging me that's for reminding me what it's called