What is a gag bit

[Bluey]

Used with four reins makes sense, is an interesting concept I had not seen, as all I have seen used that bit with just one rein on the small cheek piece rings.
With four reins, you can use it if you need that extra for some training or thru a rough spot showing, but still have the regular reins on the snaffle for most every other time.

To me, to use a true gag with one set of reins was a little bit like using draw reins alone, although not as hairraising an idea by far.
I have seen several cutting trainers do that, even riding like that warming up, before changing to a curb to show.

[AnotherRound]

So gags are allowed in the show ring? Jumpers, you were saying, how about hunters? Equitation? how about Dressage?

They sound like they are entirely appropriate for certain training alone and in combination with other tack. I would imagine they would not come into any kind of usefulness with dressage, as so much of the horse's responses come through the back, I don't know I shouldn't guess. Just wondering about showing. Great comments, though, thanks again.

[findeight]

You may show the Jumpers in whatever you want, including a gag...most better riders will use it with either the 2 sets of reins or along with something else.They are good for speed control, not so good for steering, like a mechanical hackamore. If you look at picks of GP riders you sometimes see alot of gear and reins-that's why.

Not in the Equitation or the Hunters though because bit accpetance and the rider use of the aids involving the bit are part of the judging criteria.

Dressage is not so different from anything else that can have a horse that gets heavy in front and start bulling through the hand...and not every Dressage rider is a master any more then the rest of us. Have been in the barns during a major Dressage competition and saw most of the same stuff you see in any other disciplines tack rooms.

[Mozart]

A bit is not a gag unless it has roundings (rope or leather) for cheeks that go to the reins, so that the bit is pulled up in the mouth when the reins are applied. An elevator is not a gag, even if people call it that. Being frequently wrong doesn't make something correct.

This is what I was taught but the "trend" of calling three ring bits "gags" has become so pervasive I am forced to wonder if there might be a valid reason for it. I think the argument can be made that since the mouthpiece ring on the three ring is not fixed and the action of the shank (assuming the reins is attached to the lower ring) does in fact pull the bit up in the horse's mouth, the three ring could be considered a gag.

However, I am a bit old fashioned and I can't bring myself to call three ring bits "gags".

IME the "real" gags are used for horse's who are prone to bear down and run away with the rider. I have mostly seen them used on eventers and some jumpers. Have never needed to use one myself.

[Ibex]

FWIW, we tended to resort to calling it a "three ring"... totally avoided confusion as to which bit you wanted!

[asanders]

It's funny how things come and go. I think it would be early 1990's, and I think it was Bruce Davidson (but I and old and that was a long time ago) was shown going CC in a gag on the cover of PH. There was near riot (both decrying and defending).

I have used them with good effect on OTTB in the field and ring, always with 2 reins.

[Beethoven]

I have used one and if needed still do on my OTTB. I use 2 reins. He in general goes in a happy mouth snaffle, but occationally he decides that after fences he is going to get a bit strong and used to dive on his forehand and on his inside shoulder in the corners missing his lead changes. The happy mouth gag help me in the corners when he was ignoring all other aids, but it was a last resort. I rarely use it and most times it just takes one ride in it to remind him of his manners, but I have not needed it in 3 years now. I really do not think gags are horrible bits. Believe me I used to until I played polo. If you tried to play polo in a snaffle you would not be able to , but a gag allows you to not be harsh but get the horses stopped and listening.

[Ambrey]

This is what I was taught but the "trend" of calling three ring bits "gags" has become so pervasive I am forced to wonder if there might be a valid reason for it. I think the argument can be made that since the mouthpiece ring on the three ring is not fixed and the action of the shank (assuming the reins is attached to the lower ring) does in fact pull the bit up in the horse's mouth, the three ring could be considered a gag.

That's what I've heard. Anyway, with words "trends" become "definitions" before too long.

[slc2]

The elevator bit is not a gag. Calling something by the wrong name does not change what it is. An elevator is not a gag. Being inaccurate with language leads to communication problems, misunderstandings and mistakes. It seems people have gotten so incredibly sloppy and lazy with language (perhaps in part due to the internet) that they don't even CARE if they call something by the wrong name anymore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xrxWAasR6U

at 2:49, you will see Murphy Himself, or why eventers need to control their horse, LOL.

"So what are some riding situations where gags are used? Riding or driving? Just curious, no particular need to know except I never did learn about gags."

The purpose of the gag and the reason for its invention is to get control of a horse that pulls DOWNWARD on the bit, by working on the corners of its mouth. That is why the bit is designed to rise UP in the mouth when the reins are applied. It is the ONLY bit that lifts in this way, because the bit actually is pulled upward on the cheeks, effectively shortening the bridle cheeks.

It is quite common to put a second rein on the gag, so that the second rein has less of a lifting effect (all snaffles have a slight lifting effect); only the rein going up thru the holes in the bit rings to the cheeks, has the lifting effect. A rein attached to the ring has slightly less lifting effect than the gag cheek does.

The rider leaves the gag rein slightly looser unless he gets into trouble controlling the horse, he tries to use the plain snaffle rein and 'stay out of him' otherwise.

You do not very often see the gags as driving bits. Since the driving horses are allowed to use liverpools, curbs and other control bits, and since the gag has traditionally been rare in that area of riding, it's very rare to see it in driving; having the roundings catch on harness would also be a problem.

Where you see a gag is cross country (eventing), sometimes in the hunt field, sometimes in the jumpers, and since it's not allowed for competing in dressage, rarely in dressage, except in a rather desperate schooling situation.

A gag is considered to be a very strong action bit, that has a far, far better ability to control a horse without making it more strong in the bridle, and without making it more nervous. Since it does not have a curb chain or the same sort of leverage as curb type bits, it is very often an excellent option on a horse that loses its balance downward because it lowers its neck and ehad too much, but might get more curled downward in a curb type bit, or might get claustrophobic with a curb chain.

It is a VERY, VERY good bit for a child's pony with a big thick neck, who takes advantage of the child and pulls him out of the saddle. It is sometimes the ONLY thing a child can handle - a curb like bit or a bridle with two reins is usually difficult for a child to handle.

In dressage, only a very narrow range of bits is allowed in competition - very simple snaffle bits with no edges. Pelhams and many bits popular in the hunter-jumper world are not allowed, and double bridles are only allowed in advanced classes. Most people tend to use cavesons and various training techniques to control the horse.

In hunter jumper a wider range of bits is allowed, pelhams are allowed.

In eventing and show jumping people tend to be very practical; the emphasis is on control and performance effectiveness. People tend to try different bits, but eventing rules do restrict which bits are allowed.

Other control bit options:

Various snaffle bit designs with thinner or edged mouthpieces to provide a stronger action. Various different snaffle mouthpieces with middle pieces of various different shapes, from rounded to a flat plate, such as a Dr. Bristol snaffle. In dressage the mouthpieces and designs allowed is very restricted, not so in hunters, jumpers, etc.

Fixed and cheek snaffles - A cheek puts pressure on the side of the face when the rein is applied, helping to turn the horse or prevent the bit sliding through the mouth en extremis. Baucher snaffles are held in one position in the mouth and to one degree or another lifted in the mouth, as they have a small shank that they are hung from the cheeks by - the mouth pieces hangs from that little shank.

Elevator. Extremely commonly resorted to in the hunter jumper ring. Little used elsewhere. Rarely seen in dressage, not allowed in competition. Provides several rings for increasing or decreasing the amount of 'leverage', but has no curb chain and doesn't appear to provide leverage like a curb bit does. Actually does not lift in the mouth like a gag but does pull back at a slightly different angle where the horse's mouth may be more sensitive as it is not the same area most bits pull on. Appears to have much stronger action than most snaffles and vendors say they provide a great deal of poll pressure, yet work by raising the horse's head...

Mikmar bits - Mikmar makes a number of bits that are very often seen in show jumping - they are designed as control bits. The bits all appear to merely give you a pull back at a slightly different angle -but boy do people snap them up and love them. Various bits and pieces of snaffle designs, pelham designs, combined.

Pelham - Again, two reins, which can be too much for many people to handle. A combined curb and snaffle action that causes the curb chain to ride up out of the chin groove when it must be used firmly, and a horse can brace against the combined effect in a way he won't with other bits ....And does not help to develop the topline of the neck, rather more the underline of the neck, but still helps to control some otherwise uncontrollable horses, and is commonly resorted to in the hunters, cross country and even somemtimes in the jumpers.

Swales 3 in 1: A pelham bit with a broad, flat mouthpiece that is 'loose' (swivels so it always lies flat on the tongue). Usually sold with very long shanks, used with a curb chain and provides a very strong action.

A double bridle - Again, two reins are not an option for some riders. Requires a great deal more finesse than a curb as there are two bits in the mouth - it is quite easy to use the curb as a 'brake', becoming dependent on it to control a strong horse, and wind up with a very, very hard mouthed horse. Takes quite a lot of finesse to use it WITHOUT hardening the horse's mouth irretrievably - once you have hardened them up in a double, you have very few options after that. Most dressage riders never get to where they can use a double bridle - some very skilled fox hunter types use the double bridle, and a very few will go cross country in eventing in the double.

[Vandy]

Timely conversation, as I recently was searching online for a gag to purchase, and when I froogled, most of the results described as gags were actually what I would call elevators. I have seen them called a "Pessoa Gag", "Dutch Gag", "European Gag", so possibly the terminology is different in Europe than the US? And also, I've seen some Western catalogs that label bits as gags that are totally different from what I would call a gag.

I love them for horses who tend to go behind the bridle with a pelham but need the extra control that a leverage bit provides. I agree that they should not be used by beginners or riders with heavy hands.

[shakeytails]

The only time I used a gag was on a warmblood-sized TB that was a runaway whenever I asked for a canter. The gag (smooth snaffle) gave me enough leverage for at least a tiny bit of control. Between the gag and making him run far longer than he wanted, I was able to turn him into a half-way decent mount that would canter quietly and no longer needed a gag bit.

[jse]

I believe gags are used on polo ponies as well.

[foursocks]

My bit du jour for my PITA green jumper is a traditional gag with sliding cheeks and a slow twist mouth. He is really, really light in it most of the time, but it is there when I need it. He likes to rollkeur himself and bull around a course, or get inverted and be a giraffe. Neither option is fabulous, but so far (all appendages crossed) with the gag I have a horse with a relaxed back who is light in my hands and doesn't try to bully me.

This kind of gag- the sliding cheeks one- is not for the majority of horses/riders, because it can be very easily abused and most horses really don't need that much "whoa." But I've seen a three-ring (and used one on my own PITA) used to very positive effect for horses that need to learn how to carry themselves.