Introduction to Gag Bits
A no-nonsense introduction to gag bits
A gag is nothing more than a snaffle with an elevator. The mouth-piece slides up the cheek when you pick up the rein, bumping the poll and telling the horse "head up, weight back." Used correctly the signal is brief; used roughly it becomes a parking brake. That split-second of lift is why show-jumpers, cross-country riders and even some dressage trainers keep one on the tack-room wall.
How it works
Cheek options:
– Loose-ring "continental" (two rein rings, 2–4 cm of lift)
– Full-cheek with gag keepers (more lateral stability)
– Dutch/three-ring (gives you three rein positions in one bit)
Mouth-piece options:
– Single-jointed (quick, clear)
– French-link/copper roller (kinder on the bars, more salivation)
– Hard rubber or leather (mild, for sensitive mouths)
When to reach for it
Horse leans, dives, or uses the bit to tow you to the fence.
Green horse that's learned to duck behind the vertical.
Phase where you need more uphill balance before you go back to a plain snaffle.
When to leave it alone
Youngster that hasn't learned to stretch into steady contact.
Rider who balances on the reins instead of the core.
Any situation where the gag becomes the crutch instead of the lesson.
Five-minute checklist
Measure once: with the rein on the lower ring the bit should still clear the corner of the mouth by 3 mm.
Two reins or one? Running coupling gives lift; snaffle rein keeps a safety brake.
Material: stainless for longevity, sweet-iron or copper if you need more foam.
Check the keepers: leather stretches, plastic rollers crack-replace before they snap.
Ride the leg to hand, not hand to hand; the gag magnifies everything you do.
Bottom line
A gag is a tuning fork, not a sledge-hammer. Pick the mildest version that still gets the message through, use it for as many rides as necessary and no more, and you'll finish with a lighter, straighter horse-then you can hang it back on the hook and go ride in a plain snaffle again.
Types of horse bits
Bit & Bridle Cheat-Sheet
1. Snaffle – the starter bit
What it does: pulls sideways on the corners of the mouth, no poll leverage.
Shapes you'll see: D-ring, egg-butt, loose-ring, full-cheek.
When to use: green horses, sensitive mouths, everyday flat-work or first jumping lessons.
2. Curb – the lever bit
What it does: shank creates leverage on the poll, chin-groove and bars.
Styles: low-, medium- or high-port, correction, swivel, grazing.
When to use: western disciplines, finished horses that neck-rein off seat and legs.
3. Pelham – the "two-rein" compromise
What it does: combines snaffle (direct) and curb (leverage) in one mouth-piece.
Mouth options: jointed, mullen, copper, rubber.
When to use: riders who need more stop than a snaffle but don't want to swap to a full curb.
4. Gag – the elevator
What it does: mouth-piece slides up the cheek, lifting the head by pressing the poll.
Types: Cheltenham, running gag, Waterford, Dutch three-ring.
When to use: jumping rounds where the horse dives or gets heavy on the fore-hand.
5. Kimberwicke – the "half-curb"
What it does: looks like a snaffle until you hook the rein in the slotted eye; then you get mild leverage.
Variants: straight bar, jointed, Uxeter (two slots).
When to use: strong ponies, happy hackers, riders who need brakes without the full curb look.
6. Bitless – no mouthpiece at all
What it does: pressure lands on the nose, chin or poll instead of the bars.
Styles: mechanical hackamore, bosal, side-pull, cross-under.
When to use: horses with mouth injuries, bit evasions, or owners who simply want to ride without metal.
Bottom line
Match the bit to the horse's education, the rider's feel, and the job you're doing that day. When in doubt, borrow two, ride both, and let the horse vote. A good trainer is cheaper than a bad bit choice.
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