Dutch gags?

[horseluver4eva]

I use a dutch gag on my horse as she is quite strong and a snaffle does nothing for her. Ive not had her long and she was in a gag at her previous home so ive left it on the second ring with one rein. However i am now being told you should use two reins, one on the snaffle ring and one on the second so that the extra strength is only used when needed and when the horse does what is asked they can be rewarded by releasing the stronger rein. She works well in this bit, but i now feel that i should be using 2 reins to make it easier in her mouth when she is going correctly. Any opinions please? Has anybody else used 1 rein to 2 before? thanks in advance

 

[Crazycob06]

I use a dutch gag on my strong mare too and I used two reins for a while as I know your supposed to but tbh, I always had to use the ones on the second ring so only use the one pair now. It is frowned upon though.

 

[weebarney]

What I found worked for one of mine is a gag with roundings, one on snaffle and one on middle ring. Very frowned upon but the horse went well in it so I don't care.

 

[ZondaR]

I use only one set of reins with my horse. But, I have the reins in the top ring for arena work, dressage and show jumping and the 2nd ring for xcountry, beach rides, fun rides etc. When using the 2nd ring, I ride with a longer rein to try to avoid putting on the pressure unnecessarily and I am VERY conscious about having an almost loose rein when jumping.

 

[horseluver4eva]

somebody mentioned pelham roundings to me as well which i also thought about so not sure now...See i have to keep a consistent contact especially hacking as she is quite spooky so if i give her much rein and she spooks she'll take the p and spin around rather dramatically and try and go home away from the 'scary' object. So maybe 2 reins would be good the snaffle one to keep the contact? and the other one when she is getting worked properly eg in the school and when she gets strong?

 

[ladyt25]

I don't see why you'd use two reins or roundings to be honest, I use one rein, on the main ring 99.9% of the time and on the 2nd ring for jumping/x-country. Maybe try riding her on the main ring and see how she goes? I have tried numerous bits on my horse over the 18 years I've had him but come back to this gag. I have changed to one with a Waterford mouth piece though. He doesn't seem to like the nutcracker version of the snaffle version.

 

[Lolo]

What I found worked for one of mine is a gag with roundings, one on snaffle and one on middle ring. Very frowned upon but the horse went well in it so I don't care.

I thought this was correct if you don't use the 2 reins.