using a dutch gag with roundings?

[masonandbecca]

sorry if i've posted this in the wrong place, or this has been answered elsewhere
i've started competing my horse more this year, and he's been fine in a hanging cheek waterford until just recently, as now he's become much stronger and leans on me much more. i've been recommended to try a french link dutch gag with him, and been told i could use bit roundings with it? i've seen that many people on this forum don't approve of using roundings with a dutch gag, but my main question is what would the actual action of the bit be if i were to use the dutch gag with the roundings?
thanks, becca x

 

[Tori]

The first thing I would do is more schooling of your horse to get him lighter in the mouth and more responsive - with your instructor/trainer to help you, then you wouldn't need to rely on a stronger bit as it's not solving your problem. If you do go the Dutch Gag route then I wouldn't use roundings - not for any type of bit. You need to learn to ride with double reins - which is more advanced and requires lots of good instruction. This may not be the route you want to take especially as I assume you are competing cross country/showjumping and don't want the added stress of 2 reins! So lots of positive schooling sessions with your instructor is my advice!

 

[nemo_]

Ditto with the schooling. But if you do use a gag, I don't really see the point of the roundings, it doesn't particularly change the action of the gag, when I've seen gags being used like this, it looks like roundings on the snaffle and bottom ring give the same pressure/ severity as one rein on the first small ring under the snaffle ring.

 

[masonandbecca]

i know to do more schooling etc and he's fine schooling and jumping in it at home...
its just out at competitions where he gets more excited and, as a result, stronger

 

[Tori]

I can see what you mean about your horse getting stronger at competitions and needing more control but talk to your instructor about other ways you can get control (using your seat and legs and hands) really get the horse listening to you, rather than just putting a stronger bit in. It will take a lot more time and effort than just changing a bit but will really improve your skills at riding. If you do decide to use the gag then I would talk to a bitting expert about your horse and see what they would recommend about using roundings with it.

 

[L&M]

No doubt I will be slated, but I use a french link dutch gag with roundings for hunting and show jumping and find it works really well!!!
Suppose I should do more schooling..........

 

[masonandbecca]

haha.. tried my boy out jumping in it today and he worked really well, and did not fall onto the forehand at all! i know more schooling will be in order but for me, i think its going to be easier to teach him to use himself properly over the jumps in his stronger bit, which will become easier for him to keep balanced etc and then i can change him back to the hanging cheek when hes learnt this
thanks all x

 

[L&M]

Well done!

 

[Birker2020]

i used to use a dutch gag with and without roundings. I also used to use a curb chain with one (can't remember who but think its Tim Stockdale that does a similiar thing and found it very effective). Maybe you would like to try a pelham. To me its better to give a little check in a pelham than relentlessly pull on a snaffle and not get anywhere, but thats just my humble opinion.