continental gag. tell me more

[hdonna]

We purchased peaches on xmas eve. She came with tack and her bit ( you can see pictures on Introducing Peaches thread) is a joined snaffle continental gag. I am not up on these bits as i have always been a snaffle girl and recently been converted to the myler bits. never had any need for anything else. Could you please tell me how it works and any alternatives as it looks quite old and i need to get something new. Don't want to deviate too far from what she is used to at the mo as we are still getting to know her.

she has been purchased for my novicce son who still lacks balance and coordination at times so do not want anything to strong in her mouth

[gixer]

Personally I'd take the gag off and replace with a normal snaffle, or something with a lozenge link

A newer rider like your son shouldn't use a gagged bit, and hopefully it was just on there as a fashionable bit! have seen in the pics he's using the largest ring so it in effect is just acting as a snaffle there, the lower rings can be used to bring a gag action into play.

[hdonna]

thanks Gixer

[ruthp]

I used to use a happymouth Dutch gag with Rosa before I switched her to bitless. I used the snaffle ring for normal work, and dropped it down a ring when we went out on pleasure rides as she tended to get a bit strong in company. But as Gixer says, you wouldn't want a gag in the hands of a novice, as incorrectly used they can be a bit fierce.

[jakeandbarneysmum]

Can I be a pedantic old tack shop owner? Technically, these bits are not gags - they should be referred to as 3 ring (or 2 ring!) snaffles. I personally don't like them, and would encourage you, as mentioned above, to err on the side of something milder, particularly with a novice on board.

[jakeandbarneysmum]

Hello again. Just had a look at the photos on your other thread - Peaches looks gorgeous, and what a lovely story!

The way the bit is set up at the moment is at its mildest, and should be fine - it should have a slightly similar action to a hanging cheek snaffle (or Filet Baucher). If that's how Peaches was ridden in her previous home, I think I'd be happy to switch to an ordinary snaffle. I'm a huge fan of the Myler bits, too.

Wishing you a very happy future with Peaches.

[ladynowak]

I think I would change to a full cheek french link given your son is still rather novicey and so his steering may be a little random, but if Peaches isn't very well schooled then I think that investing in lessons for the both of them may be the only way forwards.

She looks lovely in those photos

[SarahW]

What a super looking pony. My aim would also be to get her out of the Dutch 'gag' if you can but ultimately you need to keep your son safe. The Dutch 'gag' is a very confusing bit for horses as the mouthpiece asks them to lift their head up, and the cheekpieces tell them to keep their head down - usually coupled with a martingale!

You could try something like a Myler low port comfort snaffle with hanging cheeks - this has all sorts of advantages - it allows the pony to swallow more easily because there is some tongue relief, it only comes into action when you want to say something to the pony, there is a slight poll pressure and the cheeks will give a little steering too.

[pinkpony]

Hi there. hmmmm, what would I do.....well....sons safety over horse atm, as he is a novice and peaches is new. I ride a friends pony occassionally in a "gag", but I am fairly well balanced, with a reasonable seat. Knowing how the bit its self works, I would be loath to ride in it if I was a beginer, as I doubt I could keep my hands independant enough not to risk "hanging on" to the ponys mouth, as sometimes beginers do....Thats MO only.

Going to a myler my be too big a change, for horse and new rider....perhaps you can decrease the bit gradually, as they get used to each other, and your son can work on building sensitivity in his riding lessons.

He still needs good breaks at this stage though. I would work on it with him, teaching him about bits and how easily they can be abused. Peaches looks lovely btw, hope you all have fun. Sorry my post isnt very good advice, but I cant offer you practical solutions as I am not experienced enough in my eyes to really trufully comment, I can only say what would be in my mind to consider.x.x.x.

[natalia]

i would go for a hanging cheek same mouth piece, as it has the same action as the bit you have here, but less leverage. I wouldn't change her bit for a few days though till she's settled, as said before safety first, and she may get a bit fresher once she settles properly and thats what she's used to. I would try her back in some sort of normal snaffle. She looks like avery sweet pony fro her pics, so good luck with her.

[hdonna]

thank you all for your advise. i think i will defo keep everything the same until settled in and see how we go . I am a big fan of the myler hnging cheek as Dan our cob has one and it has worked wonders with him dropping his shoulder and falling in.