Gag action

JenJ

JenJ

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Can anyone explain to me the physics of how gags can have two different actions please?

I keep reading on here that a dutch gag will raise the head, and a cheltenham gag will lower it (or is it the other way around), but looking at the two, I can't see how they would have opposite actions. The forces look to be the same in both cases - pressure on the rein will pull down the headpiece, whether it's the via the 'lever' of the dutch or the 'pull through' of the leathers on the cheltenham?

I'm not suggesting what people have said is wrong, I just think I'm missing something!

edit - it is the other way around! :o
 
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I don't classify a Dutch gag as a gag - it is not a true gag. A Dutch gag will act to lower the head, as there is more leverage (poll pressure) than mouth pressure. A Cheltenham (English) and American gag will have a more direct pressure on the mouth mainly (they should be used with 2 reins) and the massive mouth pressure will cause the horse to lift his head.
 
Blast, just looked on Amazon for the name of the guy who's books on bits I love. He makes everything so clear.

Will get back to you as soon as I find it! (surrounded by laptops and meant to be working, so can't go look just yet - he has double-barrelled surname...).
 
Eriskayowner said:
I don't classify a Dutch gag as a gag - it is not a true gag. A Dutch gag will act to lower the head, as there is more leverage (poll pressure) than mouth pressure. A Cheltenham (English) and American gag will have a more direct pressure on the mouth mainly (they should be used with 2 reins) and the massive mouth pressure will cause the horse to lift his head.
Click to expand...

So the difference is the emphasis on poll pressure vs mouth pressure? That makes more sense then.

All I've managed to get from saddlery sites is that they both have a nutcracker action and raise the bit in the mouth, which didn't help explain the difference!

Thanks.
 
MrsMozart said:
Blast, just looked on Amazon for the name of the guy who's books on bits I love. He makes everything so clear.

Will get back to you as soon as I find it! (surrounded by laptops and meant to be working, so can't go look just yet - he has double-barrelled surname...).
Click to expand...

Ooh, I like buying new books...
 
Thats how I understand it anyway. This is why I don't like Dutch gags - gives a completely incorrect impression of how bits work! People think they have a "gag" on their horse (and probably makes them think that they are better riders than they are because their horse needs a "gag") but actually it's a hanging cheek snaffle with different slots!
 
MrsMozart said:
Blast, just looked on Amazon for the name of the guy who's books on bits I love. He makes everything so clear.

Will get back to you as soon as I find it! (surrounded by laptops and meant to be working, so can't go look just yet - he has double-barrelled surname...).
Click to expand...

I have a brilliant book by Elwyn Hartley Edwards. Could this be it?
 
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