Would riding a dutch gag/bubble bit on the 'snaffle ring' be the same as a snaffle?

H

hannabanana

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 May 2010
Messages
640
Location
Newcastle
Visit site
Stupid question I know, but if you ride in a dutch gag/bubble bit on the snaffle ring really work as a snaffle? I have been trying out other peoples bits you see before I need to start paying for hire services. Nobody has a french link that will fit my lads gob, but a friend of mine has a french link bubble bit. So would it work the same??? Plus, when buying a loose ring bit, is it true that you should add an extra half an inch on so that the lips dont get pinched? I had my lad in a 5 1/2 jointed eggbutt, but then tried a 5 1/2 loose ring jointed and his lips went over the ring hole, meaning he would get nipped. (If you know what I mean)

Sorry for being such a numpty!!!
 
IF you want it to be exactly the same as a snaffle then put the cheekpieces and the reins both on the "snaffle" ring. If you want it to be similar to / the same as a hanging cheek snaffle then attach the cheekpieces to the top ring and the reins to the "snaffle" ring.
 
In a word, no. The gag has a slide so its not like a fench link snaffle or a hanging cheek. Dont think it would work by putting the cheeks and reins on the same ring either
 
teddyt said:
In a word, no. The gag has a slide so its not like a fench link snaffle or a hanging cheek. Dont think it would work by putting the cheeks and reins on the same ring either
Click to expand...

I think you are thinking of an American gag, not a dutch gag or bubble bit.

Like these
Dutch gag - has round rings like a loose ring snaffle so no difference there. Putting the cheekpieces and the reins onto the "snaffle" rings does work in extremis. Guess who forgot her loose ring snaffle one dressage lesson.
 
Last edited:
Not identical, but IMO similar enough that you would know whether the horse liked or disliked the french link mouthpiece.

When I took brand new horses hacking I normally used a dutch gag on the snaffle ring, with the second rein attached, but knotted (so not coming into play) so that if I discovered part way out I had no brakes, I had options. I didn't find a horse that discerned a difference between the snaffle and the bubble bit version of the same bit - if they liked one, they were fine with the other, if they disliked one, they disliked the other.
 
I use my gag as a snaffle when I'm at home all the time also the pc instructor said that the snaffle ring is exactly the same as a normal snaffle
 
emma69 said:
Not identical, but IMO similar enough that you would know whether the horse liked or disliked the french link mouthpiece.

When I took brand new horses hacking I normally used a dutch gag on the snaffle ring, with the second rein attached, but knotted (so not coming into play) so that if I discovered part way out I had no brakes, I had options. I didn't find a horse that discerned a difference between the snaffle and the bubble bit version of the same bit - if they liked one, they were fine with the other, if they disliked one, they disliked the other.
Click to expand...

I used to do this when hacking out with/leading my kids when little, as my cob is slow and steady 98% of the time and I had a rein for the 2% :)
 
not the same no, the dutch gag on the snaffle ring will still have a slight lifting effect which some horses don't like. But it will give you an idea me whether he likes the mouth piece or not.

I know a horse that lover a loose ring french link but goes like a bad tempered giraffe in anything with even a slight gag action!
 
Louby said:
As for the size issue, my horse needs a 6 inch in a loose ring but is fine in a 5 3/4 in a eggbut.
Click to expand...

Ah thanks, I think that my lad could do with a 5 3/4 anyway in the eggbutt as I looked today and noticed it looked a little small on the sides. I havent had much look borrowing peoples bits at the yard, all of them are ponies or small horses and there is only 3 large horses, mine being one of them. Why do bits have to be so god damn complicated with sizes and widths etc. I wish there was a bit suitable for every single horse :rolleyes:
 
A french link is pretty close ;) I do rather like them and so have most of my horses. Ok, you aren't going to find one that fits a shetland and a 16.3 er, maybe I should invent an extendable bit!

There are a baffling amount of bits around, and it seems almost 'uncool' to have a bog standard eggbutt snaffle, but not too long ago, you would find almost every horse in one, and we all coped! And I am venturing we didn't have 1/4 inches either, sure it was only full inch or half inch (and throw on some lurrrrrrrrrrrrrvely rubber donuts if they pinched!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
 
emma69 said:
A french link is pretty close ;) I do rather like them and so have most of my horses. Ok, you aren't going to find one that fits a shetland and a 16.3 er, maybe I should invent an extendable bit!

There are a baffling amount of bits around, and it seems almost 'uncool' to have a bog standard eggbutt snaffle, but not too long ago, you would find almost every horse in one, and we all coped! And I am venturing we didn't have 1/4 inches either, sure it was only full inch or half inch (and throw on some lurrrrrrrrrrrrrvely rubber donuts if they pinched!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Click to expand...

You should! You could make millions, and also make it an optional bit so you can choose to have a leaverage or a non leaverage or you could choose to put pressure on the bars or the tongue. The dream bit!
I know what you mean, mines always been in a thick eggbutt but it has always felt like hes evading the bit and doesnt like the nutcracker action etc. It makes me wonder how they managed a 100 years ago or even before that!!
 
jemima_too said:
I think you are thinking of an American gag, not a dutch gag or bubble bit.

Like these
Dutch gag - has round rings like a loose ring snaffle so no difference there. Putting the cheekpieces and the reins onto the "snaffle" rings does work in extremis. Guess who forgot her loose ring snaffle one dressage lesson.
Click to expand...

No, i was thinking of a dutch gag:) The upper and lower rings wold stop the large ring completely swiveling for a start and you would have to partially turn the bit shanks to fit the cheek pieces on. you would then have the weight distribution differently to a loose ring snaffle as well, because of the bit shanks. So possible, yes, but not the same!:)

I use my gag as a snaffle when I'm at home all the time also the pc instructor said that the snaffle ring is exactly the same as a normal snaffle
Click to expand...
This is part of he problem with bitting- instructors teaching others when they dont undertand the subject themselves! It isnt the same as a snaffle, it is a gag. It was designed to be used with 2 reins, hence people often call the top rein the snaffle rein- like they do with a double bridle. However, the use of 2 reins with the gag is very rare now because it is easier to use just one. Its not correct but when you have instructors saying that using one rein is just like a snaffle you can see why it happens. i know of one instructor who recomends this bit to everyone, regardless of the horses mouth conformation, the riders ability or anything. no wonder that people get confused with the subject and dont get to learn the real action and use!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top