loose ring bits making corners sore (gags)

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Kezza

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My old fella is a handful to say the least and very strong. He spent most of his time before coming to me in a single jointed 3 ring dutch gag with a single rein on the bottom ring so his mouth is not good. I changed him to a french link dutch gag after trying loads of different bits with the reins on the middle ring and he goes ok in it but is still a bit strong and he gets sore corners of his mouth when doing fast work like xcountry, with or without bit rubbers on. I have tried different sized bits and still the same. I am schooling him in a mullen mouth pelham and he goes lovely but backs off when jumping in it so it's no good for every discipline. I'm thinking he's better suited perhaps to fixed ring bits rather than loose ring so I was wondering if a cheltenham gag is at all similar in action to the dutch gag? I cannot ride with 2 reins as he's too much of a handful and I would get in a mess so I would have to use one but I am very light in the hand so would certainly not be hauling on the rein. The only other thing I thought of trying which I haven't yet is a leather strap on his gag (like a curb strap) to relieve some of the pressure on the corners of his mouth?
 
My cob gets like this, very heavy in the hand and strong. I've found French Link bits and bits with a Lozenge work well.

Her favourite bits are an eggbutt french link snaffle, a high wide ported Myler comfort snaffle with hooks (fantastic bit! Takes the pressure off the mouth), a stright bar rubber Pelham (used with 2 reins) and a lozenge American Gag. I also alternate between these, which she seems to really like. It keeps her light and a lot happier.
 
hmmm just an idea

If he has quite a strong mouth have u ever tried a hackamore or myler? complete change of tactic?
 
no but previous owner did and he was a nightmare unfortunately! Don't get me wrong, he's very safe and knows exactly what he's doing when jumping (a reason I got him) but he just runs on and I have trouble stopping when I need to! He goes well in the french link mouth dutch gag but the loose rings make his corners a bit sore, even with rubbers so I was wondering if the cheltenhm might act in a similar way but help with his corners as it's got fixed rings...
 
It may work. Just a thought but have you tried just a french link eggbutt snaffle and fitting it slightly lower than usual. Some horses are very strong in strong bits, but then can go well in mild bits.

Also I presume you've had all the usual checks done? Back, teeth and saddle?
 
yes I have tried him in lots of snaffles and would certainly not do fast work in one, he's way too full of it and strong. I have taught him to come off the forehand and relax more and his schooling is coming on well but for fast work I think he'll always be strong as he's 21 now and years of being ridden in a gag have taken their toll... I just need something similar in action without the loose rings so I'm going to try a cheltenham gag. Yes he has all usual checks twice a year and is in the best of health. Thanks for your suggestions though.
 
Our lad is very strong & we use a loose ring bit without rubbers. To ensure he doesn't get sore mouth corners we always smear a small amount of vaseline in the inside & outside of the corners of his mouth. This has kept his mouth pretty soft & we've had no problems......probably one of the cheaper options for you?
wink.gif
 
Sadly the action of a cheltenham gag and continental gag are totally different

The only you have has very strong poll pressure, whereas a cheltenham gag is a true running gag and will lift the head.

Not saying that your horse might not like it, but action wise these are chalk and cheese.
 
I tried the cheltenham gag and found it slightly less effective than the 3 ring dutch gag but I am happy to say, no sore corners of the mouth! I can cope with something a little less effective so I think I will stick with it for a while and see how it goes. Isn’t it strange how people have different views as some said they felt it was harsher than a 3 ring gag and others said less harsh. It actually depends on the horse it is used on I think. The reason it may have been less effective on by boy was the fact that the 3 ring was pinching the corners of his mouth and as the Cheltenham doesn’t do this, he’s more comfortable. Thanks for all your replies.
 
I'm not sure if this will help at all. We've just gone from an eggbut snaffle to a loose ring with a thick straight bar. One of our boys had had a sore on the inside of his mouth which took an age to heal.

We had the vet look at it and he advised the above bit. Might not help with control (!) but will reduce the sore/split in his mouth.
 
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