strong horse-gag and grakle?

alicetikko

alicetikko

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hi i hav a 15.2 sj whom is very strong, i usally hav her in a dutch gag on the ring below the snaffle with just a flash noseband. i hav recently brought a grakle noseband and am wondering whether i should still keep a gag in her. do you think it will be a bit much, and if you saw a horse in that combo would you think it was bad and over bitted?? i would really like to no as the uaffilated show jumping world can be little 'simple in the tack region' if you no what i mean. lol thanks for your comments x
 
alicetikko said:
hi i hav a 15.2 sj whom is very strong, i usally hav her in a dutch gag on the ring below the snaffle with just a flash noseband. i hav recently brought a grakle noseband and am wondering whether i should still keep a gag in her. do you think it will be a bit much, and if you saw a horse in that combo would you think it was bad and over bitted?? i would really like to no as the uaffilated show jumping world can be little 'simple in the tack region' if you no what i mean. lol thanks for your comments x
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Interested to know what you mean by "simple in the tack region" (not a pop - geniune question). When watching showjumpers, they are always the ones with tack ensembles that I struggle to recognise.

I am not a massive fan of a dutch gag as when I have used it I found it didn't help me have subtley with steering etc. I had a cheltenham then switched to the new NS fulmer gag but my problem isn't an overly strong horse, its one who wants to lean. And as you will get a few comments about schooling, I will just put my pennies in and say I do school minehe does compete at dressage but it is considerably easier to jump him in a stronger bit.
 
well wen i first got her she was in as fulmer snaffle but she leaps and i mean LEAPS around corners and i just couldnt handle her. her schooling is great and has competed in novice BD so her schooling isnt the probelm. and wot i mean in the expression simple in the tack region, a snaffle, no martingale , poss. no flash
 
MrsMozart said:
So, why do you use a flash and why do you want to try a grakle? Not getting at in any way, just interested :)

I find bitting and nosebands a fascinating area - there are so many options and combinations! One of these days I'd like to research it properly :)
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i just thought it would give me a bit more control
 
I would have thought if she doesn't cross her jaw or open her mouth then a grackle will make no difference whatsoever so i would definately keep the gag. imo it would look pretty normal at a sj comp so don't worry about that but it may not be the answer to your problems
 
Galisgirl10 said:
I would have thought if she doesn't cross her jaw or open her mouth then a grackle will make no difference whatsoever so i would definately keep the gag. imo it would look pretty normal at a sj comp so don't worry about that but it may not be the answer to your problems
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ok thank u very much , i just dont want people saying stuff, because i went out for a hack and somebody said, ' that horse must be very naughty, u probably shud get a calmer' and i just felt rather annoyed , but thanks anyway x
 
Pelham - use double reins. Introduce gently, or your horse may well be suddenly sat on her bum! Start with the curb on the looser side as well.

I know I'm harping about Mylers, but they do a pelham as well (I'm still thinking the curve shape :)).
 
If you use a ducth gag definatly two reins as it just gives such mixed messages to your horse otherwise. I would try him in a cavesson aswell as some of the naughtiness could be from resisting the flash.
 
Second the double reins on either a dutch gag or a pelham. This is really the correct way to use either, and no one should look down on you for it.

I must admit I'm someone who cringes a bit when I see a gag with single reins.
 
Second the pelham.

I have had very little joy with the gag - horse went behind the bit and become very stiff in the neck. The pelham works really well for us, I use a mullen mouth so it is gentle when she is good but the bottom rein gives me a welcome control when necessary.

Introduce gently (as mentioned above) and use double reins - I was always taught the bottom rein should be on the outside and controlled only with your little finger? Anyone else think different?
 
i sometimes use a kinnerton noseband with my snaffle bit, it means i don't have to upgrade my bit, and he's light as a feather, even when being *naughty*

it's a traditional old thing, and not 'in fashion' (there are so many people using tack because it's popular these days) but it works and it works well.

if fitted properly, unless you have to use your brakes it doesn't really affect the horse as well. it's kinder than a gag and a grackle, i like both a gag, and a grackle, but together to me it just seems a little like tying the horse's mouth shut :-S
 
thanks guys with all your help, ive decided to keep the gag and try a cavveson noseband, im jumpiing tomorrow so wish me luck!! and again im really thankful with ALL ur comments, theyve been a great hellp x
 
Kokopelli said:
If you use a ducth gag definatly two reins as it just gives such mixed messages to your horse otherwise. I would try him in a cavesson aswell as some of the naughtiness could be from resisting the flash.
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totally agree with this...i have a gelding like this in dutch gag with flash...by total accident..(his flash snapped along with noseband fastener) so i took all of them of....no noseband and dutch gag very different horse.....i dnt know why but hes a dream without any noseband !!!
 
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