Gag Bits

Gag bits are seen a lot less in modern times, but were widely used on strong horses before the advent of the more modern bits. Continental style bits are often referred to as gags incorrectly, as a true gag has a much more extreme action.

Gag bits come in a similar pattern to traditional snaffle bits, but with one key difference - the cheeks have a hole top and bottom to allow a specially designed gag cheek piece to pass through the cheek as opposed to being buckled directly onto the bit ring.

The gag cheeks are usually made from all leather, of leather with a nylon core, the later often being preferable from the effect point of view as the release is quicker and more obvious to the horse than an all leather gag cheek which is less malleable (although aesthetically more pleasing than nylon it could be argued).

The action of a gag bit is to raise the bit up in the horses mouth, thus exerting potentially a great deal of poll pressure, and pressure on the corner of the horses lips. The mouthpieces also influence the effect the gag has on the horse, a jointed will also give strong bar and palate pressure. Gags should only be used by experienced riders with sympathetic hands, as their ability to raise the bit in the horses mouth is extreme and could potentially cause injury if used incorrectly.

Shanked and Curb Bits - Kimblewick Bits

Kimblewick bits are often used on ponies or horses with smaller heads as an alternative to a pelham.

The Kimblewick bit still uses the curb action but to a lesser degree as there is not so much poll pressure and leverage. The exception to this is the slotted cheek kimblewick bit, which has 2 slots in the cheek giving 3 possible options for the reins, either around the bit ring as is usual, or in the upper most slot which lessen the effect of the poll pressure and curb use, or the lower slot which gives the effect of a short shank, and greater poll pressure and curb use.

The slotted Kimblewick is the bit most usually seen on ponies and horses ridden by competent adult or child riders as it can be severe in the wrong hands. The standard Kimblewick cheek is a plain ring, and used with one pair of reins.

The mouthpieces most commonly associated with Kimblewicks are the mullen mouth or Cambridge/ported mouth, the kindest mouthpieces in general, and the jointed Kimblewick. As with the jointed pelham, the jointed Kimble wick lessens the action of the curb and although useful for some horses that dislike excess curb pressure the action of the bit is compromised.

The Kimblewick is a useful bit for small strong ponies, and especially is used with an elastic curb chain to minimise the risk or too much pressure, can be safely used (under supervision) by novice children on strong ponies.

Shanked and Curb Bits - Pelham Bits

Horse Bits with a curb chain often have a shank for added poll pressure as well. Bits that have a shank and a curb are often some type of pelham horse bit, which is classed as a fairly strong bit. The pelham family of bits work mainly on the curb groove and utilize poll pressure to gain control of the horse, particularly in exciting situations such as in company.

Rugby pelhams are often used as an alternative to a double bridle in the show ring for horses that do not have a mouth big enough to comfortably use the combination of a Weymouth and bradoon at once. The rugby pelham has the addition of a loose ring attached, which gives the appearance of a double and work slightly less directly on the mouth than the traditional pelham.

Common mouthpieces in either the rugby pelham or plain pelham are mullen or rubber covered mullen which are considered the mildest, Cambridge mouth or port mouth which are ideal for horses that need a little extra space for the tongue, and jointed or French link.

A jointed pelham or French link pelham work well on some horses, but less so on others as their action is somewhat of a compromise with the action of the curb being lessened by the broken mouthpiece of the bit. The shank provides quite a strong poll pressure in all cases, and all pehams should ideally be used with double reins to allow the rider to control the signal to the horse more precisely. If the rider cannot manage double reins, pelham roundings should be used to gain a half way effect, but the disadvantage is that the curb will always come into effect whether needed or not.

The Continental Cheek Bit

The continental bit is know by many names including the bubble bit, dutch gag and 3 ring bit. Some confusion can arise as the correct way to refer to a bit with 4 rings in the cheek i.e. a small top ring, large main ring and two further small rings, is as a 3 ring bit. This bit is often called a 4 ring bit, and the shorter style continental bit as a 3 ring (only one small ring top and bottom) which is incorrect and can lead to much confusion!

Continental bits were invented to try and emulate the effect of draw reins on show jumpers in the ring, and as such should not be looked upon as a particularly kind bit (especially with some of the more sever mouthpieces) as they are capable of a lot of leverage and hence poll pressure.

Being a cross between a pelham and a gag, often referred to as a Dutch gag this cheek causes the bit to raise up in the horses mouth slightly as the true gag does, but also asks the horse to lower at the same time through the use of poll pressure which can send quite a confusing signal.

They are not as strong as a pelham, and there is no doubt that some horses, particularly those that need persuasion to break at the poll, do seem to like the action of the cheek as it gives control without a curb action.

The 2 ring continental is a more modern addition and has become very popular for horses that do not need the strength of the 3rd ring and thus does away with the bulk of a spare ring. Correctly, both the 2 or 3 ring should be used with two reins, one on the main ring, and another on a lower ring to ensure the action is properly monitored by the rider. Care should be taken with fixed mouth versions of this horse bit as they can tend to ‘stick’ in their action and not release immediately which can cause confusion and fear for the horse so are best avoided if this is the case.