English gag bit - a question...

[mystiandsunny]

I am currently using an English gag with leather cheekpieces. It was recommended as 'something to try that might work' due to my horse going loopy as a result of being in 24/7 after a bout of lami (can start going out in a couple of weeks). With turnout, horse is an angel. Without, she is a complete nightmare whose sole aim is to buck off her rider so she can go for a good canter/gallop.

It seems to be working really well, and she is now rideable. However, I have begun to wonder - how severe is it? I don't see them used at all, but she backs off it a lot less than she does from a pelham, and seems reasonably happy, just mindful of the fact that sticking her head abruptly on the ground to buck might actually hurt a little.

I ride her in a pelham for xc usually (she gets rather strong and we only go a couple of times a year), but given that she's more prone to bucking than anything else, and does seem to have reasonable breaks in the gag - would that be a better bit to use when we can do that again? With two reins obviously....

 

[AmyMay]

Gag's a pretty serious bit of kit. However, if she's happy and you're happy - absolutely no reason at all why you shouldn't continue to use it.

 

[flyingfeet]

A running gag used lightly is infinitely better than yanking and sawing with a snaffle.

If you are using it lightly and the horse is going well, don't fix what isn't broken just people some people feel it necessary to 'tut' at so called 'severe' bits.

 

[murphyboywoody]

The advantages of using two reins is that you can use the top rein mainly and only pick up the bottom rein when its really needed!!

 

[Castlecourtdaisy]

Any bit is only as severe as the hands connected to it.

I'd definitely suggest trying the gag rather than the pelham for cross country. I tend to find with my horse (but all horses are different so I can't say this is universal) in cross country, that in the pelham, she locked her jaw and neck. In a gag she didn't tense up as much and reached into the contact more. Mind you, she is more the sort of horse who will get above the bit and rear up, than one who bucks (although she has done both at times...!), and generally horses who buck are those who tend to overbend, therefore you may find that a problem with the gag.