how 'tight' can a dutch gag be?

[junglediva]

i have a happy mouth dutch gag for my horse, it is a 5 1/2 inch and it looks to be a little tight. his mouth nearly touches the metal ring attached to the bit if u know what i mean. i was just wondering if any of u had any pics of ur horses with dutch gags in their mouths so i can see or compare. im not sure wether it is to tight for him. soory to be a pain xx

 

[china]

i think the rule of thumb is to have half an inch either side.

 

[Cliqmo]

I would get the size bigger as it is really painful and a real fiddle to get those sorts of injuries healed. Best to be safe not sorry IMO

 

[Tnavas]

Take ho;d of each side of the bit while in your horses mouth - and pull away from each other to straighten the bit in his mouth - then if you can get a little finger in each side you're OK - if not then a bigger size.

To measure your horse for a bit, place a piece of dowling in his mouth - you can tie in place with baler twine, then mark dowling either side of the mouth. Remove from horse and measure. For a jointed bit add another inch to the size to allow for the joint.

 

[emma69]

Your should be able to put your thumbs either side of the bit between the horses mouth and the ring.