Talking curbs and gags..

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lula

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Can people clarify something for me please.

Talking about a pelham bit with a person working in the horse industry the other day ( i mention this as i would describe them as knowledgable) they referred to a pelham as having a 'gag action'

I corrected them and said ' a pelham has a curb action'

Now Ive always been taught that a curb bit or any bit that exerts pressure on the poll has the effect of asking the horse to lower his head.

A gag, such as the cheltenham gag has the effect of bringing the mouth piece higher in the mouth and asking the horse to raise its head and would be used with horses with low head carriages who set their jaws and become strong and often seen in polo, hunting, eventing etc.

But it did make me wonder, Does a cheltenham gag exert pressure on the poll as a curb would or are the actions totally different as i think?

http://bitbankaustralia.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/cheltenham-gag-on-horselight.jpg


It is also not helpful and very confusing that other bits i would think of a curbs such as american and dutch gags (pix below) are in reality curbs and not gags at all.

american 'gag'



http://www.horsebitbank.com/productimages/hb2435-happy-mouth-american-gag_1.jpg

dutch gag or bubble bit

http://www.eclipse-equestrian.com/acatalog/dutch_gag.jpg



am i right? Can anyone add any words of wisdom please, please, many fanks!?
 
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I think the same as you. I think its dutch gags that cause the confusion. They are so common, I think people associate the poll action as being the way all gags work. Therefore a pelham has gag action just like a pelham. Rather than the right way round, that a dutch gag doesn't have true gag action, it has poll pressure similar to a pelham.
 
Littlelegs said:
Sorry, should have said a pelham has gag action like a dutch gag.
Click to expand...

exactly. thanks for your input.

whoever names the dutch and american gags, gags has a lot to answer for!

wanted others opinion on this as this professional who referred to a pelham as having a gag action is more qualified than i am and made me doubt myself.
 
Pelhams and Dutch 'gags' are not the same as a gag. The former are Curb action, only the Dutch has no curb groove action. The true Cheltenham gag has lowering and raising through poll and corner of mouth pressure??! The hanging cheek snaffle is a mild form of Dutch gag. There is some poll pressure (lowering), the Cheltenham should always be used with two reins so it can be a simple snaffle as well as poll and corner of mouth pressure. I personally hate gags. I like double mouthed snaffles, ie French link, or straight bar mouthpieces. The shape of tongue and length of mouth affect choice of bit.
Simply a snaffle asks to raise head, a curb asks for lowering and a gag asks for both. All want flexion and acceptance. :)
 
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