If a horse is ridden in anything other than a snaffle

Not at all, if you know the reason why, and the sellers explain it well. Also depends which ring is used - if it's the third, I would guess there may be braking issues or something.

Interesting to see what peeps say sm x
 
It certainly wouldn't affect my decision, I would guess it depends what your looking for. I'd assume it doesnt have the best brakes in the word, but that doesnt bother me personally :) x
 
Not sure myself having said that I ride a horse in a dutch gag at the moment and he has some stopping issues so I suppose it could just be that. All the horses Ive owned before were all in snaffles.

Just reread ad its a continental gag she's ridden in. Hmm not so sure now. Im after something safe to compete showjumping on. Im not the bravest rider in the world.
 
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Dont understand why a snaffle is the be all and end all. Its not the holy grail. As long as the horse is happy and the rider is happy I dont care what bit it goes in.
 
As spaniel said - there is nothing that says a snaffle is the 'perfect' bit and what a horse should be ridden in, some horses hate them and don't go well in them at all. Some horses go better in vulitscanite mouthpieces others prefer happy mouth types bits. The same goes for poll action, curbs etc etc. I wouldn't read much into it at all to be honest. Sure ask them why they use that bit but bits can always be changed and, at the end of the day if a horse goes well in a particular bit then I don't see the issue. Certainly not if you want to do showjumping as there's no 'rules' with regards to bits - it would be more of a concern I guess if you wanted to do showing/dressage etc as you are more limited in what bits are allowed.
 
No.
I've used dutch gags myself so it wouldn't put me off.
Just because someone rides in a dutch gag doesn't mean you have to - you may be perfectly fine in a snaffle.

spaniel said:
Dont understand why a snaffle is the be all and end all. Its not the holy grail. As long as the horse is happy and the rider is happy I dont care what bit it goes in.
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Finally, a sensible comment on the topics of dutch gags, or ay other bit for that matter.
 
A continental gag is a dutch gag. A lot of people use them for fashion more than anything. I would go and try it, and see how you get on. As long as it still has a mouth, I wouldn;t be concerned as schooling can improve it. If it has no mouth, I wouldn't go their, regardless of whether its in a snaffle or not!!
 
My girl came in a Dutch gag and I ride her on the second ring. She seems happy and settled in it like this, is learning to work in an outline (first time for us both!) is getting good to jump and is great out in the fields. The reason it is on the second ring is that she can get nervous and strong hacking and occasionally turned for home, the gag ensures that I can stop her and means that I am more comfortable and confident. She also can have bursts of strength schooling when she likes to tank about but the second ring and a lot of schooling have improved this no end. Now we both seem a lot happier. :)
 
See him, ride him and ask lots off questions. A few horses that come to me had all kinds off bits and tied down in many ways but most now go in snaffles.
The Dutch gag was a bit in fashion where I live so people would just use them. But remember although it's called a gag it has no action the same as a gag and is a total wrong name for the bit. It's not as harsh as some people Think BUT saying that any bit can be harsh if in the wrong hands.
Good luck and hope you like him
 
Wouldnt bother me, afterall you dont know which ring is used.

One of mine is in a dutch gag, 2nd ring. She is an ID (very strong) and I find it quite versatile as I can change which ring I use dependant on how she is going!
 
I hate the whole stronger bit stigma.

If the horse is happy and comfy then what does it matter??? Many people use different bits for different things, i know I do and it doesnt effect my horses one little bit. :)

Nikki xx
 
Just go and see him, try him. It may be his previous owner isn't that confident and feels better if the horse is in a stronger bit? I think a bit is a bit as long as the horse goes well and is comfortable and happy with it :) you won't know if they are using the bit for a reason until you go and try him :) it may even be able to be changed - he might not need it!
Good luck
K x
 
spaniel said:
Dont understand why a snaffle is the be all and end all. Its not the holy grail. As long as the horse is happy and the rider is happy I dont care what bit it goes in.
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What Spaniel says:)

I have extremely well trained and responsive horses that turn into gobby, stressheads with a snaffle in their mouths, they hate them. My Trainer says that any horse still in a snaffle is only half trained. It wouldn't stop me looking at them/buying them if I was looking for something to bring on.
 
I don't think it matters as long as if, the horse is in a strong bit, one is light in the hands. There seem to be a lot of horses about in bits other than snaffles. Just make sure you can stop the horse gently. I had to change my horse from Myler comfort snaffle to pelham and he is much safer on the roads as a result.
 
probably wouldn't bother me, I've had my horse in a gag before and though he didn't like it it didn't overly bother me that he was in it. And as others have said some people do see them as 'fashion' and it's not always reflective of the horse itself
 
A Dutch Gag is not truly a gag but a jointed snaffle with varying degrees of poll pressure.. So no it certainly would not put me off trying, but personally I doubt I would keep a horse in one for myself to ride
 
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