Would the dutch gag put you off???

It is an absolute total and utter pet hate of mine - people who ride in a gag on that ring on one rein!!! They have NO idea!! Grrr.....

anyway, to answer your question, no it wouldn't put me off going to see it - so many people over-bit horses.
 
No, it didn't when I bought my mare, she was ridden and shown to me in a duth gag. The first thing I did when I got her home was put her in a french link snaffle. She is now ridden in either a myler comfort snaffle, or a myler pelham. Do not like dutch gas, exp. those used with just one rein, wouldn't do it mylsef.
 
Agree, I wouldn't be put off by an older horse ridden in a Dutch gag, as above, many people over bit, but a four year old??? :eek:
Probably been ruined before it's even started!

I would steer clear, it's not even that cheap.
 
'tis my pet hate too - please add another rein!!!!

Erm... no, wouldnt put me off. My perfect event pony as a kid was shown to me in a gag (one rein, bottom hole!!!) and never went out of a french link snaffle for the rest of his life. People just like gadgets.
 
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It wouldn't put me off in this ad, as it is pretty obvious from the photos that the seller can't ride for toffee, so most probably doesn't have a clue about bitting either. If, however there were photos of reasonably good rider in a Dutch gag that would be a different story...
 
It would put me off allowing the seller anywhere near my horses!

It wouldn't put me off buying a horse.
 
Wouldn't put me off, though I would put her back to a snaffle and take the martingale off when I got her home and only add something stronger if and when needed.

They are saying its safe so you'll prob find you don't need such a strong bit.

When my mare was about 6 she was xc'd in a pelham as she was 'feeling her feet' abit and now shes back to a snaffle now she learnt mum really does know best!!

Go and see her and you'll soon get a feel if shes a physco or not!!
 
not at all. jumping your horse in a dutch gag (preferably with a grackle and some form of "bling") is just what all the cool people do these days..
she also, like already said doesn't look like the most experienced of riders so i wouldn't take her bitting suggestion very seriously
 
looks like a cracker of a pony - the dutch gag just has to be binned, riding a youngster in that will ruin it for life ! I would ask to try it out in a snaffle if you can. Or at least ask why the poor thing is over-bitted. *sigh*. sm
 
I wouldn't let it put me off no, but then I don't mind dutch gags - shock horror - even when used on one rein. Yes, they are not for every horse as fashion dictates, but they are very useful for certain horses.

Fwiw, I rode my 4yo in one for 2 competitions, recommended by my instructor to help straighten his approach to a fence. I must have ridden in it 3 times and it straightened his jumping no end. I am aware that there are other ways to achieve this, but it was a quick fix that worked, and 6 years down the line my horse shows no signs of being mentally scarred from the experience. He is now ridden in a french link happy mouth snaffle :)
 
I've got a mare who goes best for me in a dutch gag (she bears down and falls on her forehand, not good when jumping) I like it in the fact I can adjust to how she's behaving when at a show and use it to help get her head up and therefore have some arms left and get a good stride. BUT a four year old shouldn't need this type of bit, I would think the owners are quite ignorant, but for the right money, yes I would look.
 
I bought my lad at 5 years old and he had a martingale and pelham on...but he rides in a french link snaffle now and no martingale...he did not need either.
 
Ask them to adjust the gag i.e putthe reins on the bit rings and then it will act like a snaffle and see what it does, with the seller on board first.Ask them why the dutch gag.Some inexperienced riders like them because they can get a superficially pretty outline and think that they have them ON THE BIT.They haven't of course.Try not to be critical, we have all been ignorant at times.He looks a nice chap but remember he is only 4.He could liven up a bit as he matures.What are you looking for?
 
I recntly bought a horse and when I went to see him the owner had him in a waterford dutch gag (he's 5) and then was about to add draw reins......I asked her to leave them off. He is now going just fine in a snaffle!
 
Not overly. A lot of people use a certain bit because they think its cool/they think the horse needs it/ they are just a general numpty, so I'd see for myself whether its neccessary.
 
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