Dutch gag

[champ500]

I am thinking of trying my pony in a Dutch gag bit with the rein on the hole one up from the bottom - how severe do people think this will be? My pony isn't very strong at all except when other horses come racing up behind him or when he overtakes (ie. out hunting!) so I just wanted a bit of reassurance that I'm not going to be tanked next time out. My only reservation is that I don't want something too strong because I don't want to stop him going forwards normally because he has a tendency to be a bit of a coiled spring, it's just I want to know if it'll allow me some brakes to use if I do need them… Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[cobgirlie]

If you have soft hands then the gag could be useful for you. I used one on my cob for hunting, xc and jumping cos he is so strong but only ever use the 2nd ring for these things, hacking and schooling was always put on the snaffle ring cos you want him to respect the bit when or if you have to use the 'brakes'!!

I've now changed to a Neue Schule universal gag because I like the lozange mouth piece and it's thinner which suits his big fat gob better than the french link on the gag.

 

[Brandy]

I use a dutch gag on my ex polo pony, with two reins whic hwould be best foryou if he usually isn;t strong. You can have one on the large ring for normal use and the other there for brakes if you need it!

 

[teddyt]

Dutch gags should be used with 2 reins, if you cant ride with 2 reins then its not the bit for you. Using only one rein prevents the bit from being used how it was designed to be used- the pressure/release principle. Only one rein restricts the release and is mainly just pressure, it gives very confusing communication to the horse.