Comments on: What type of horse would you use a rope gag bit on?

By: i_ride_a_rocket

i_ride_a_rocket — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 22:32:59 +0000

They are used for added control because of the poll pressure they apply… this is useful for horses that evade the bit by throwing their heads or who grab the bit and run. I’ve used them on several of my event horses, but they MUST be used by a knowledgeable rider… in the wrong hands, this bit can be very severe. I currently ride my mare in one… she is hot and strong over fences, and this gives me the leverage when I need it.
References :
experience

By: Debi

Debi — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 22:09:59 +0000

That’s a Cheltenham or English gag.
It’s used on strong horses that pull and tend to hang on your hands and/or tank off.

Here’s the blurb from Shop4bits
http://www.shop4bits.com/item–Tranz-Angled-Lozenge-Cheltenham-Gag-16mm–Tranzanglelozcheltgag.html

The Action of the English Gag (Running Gag – Lifting Action)
The recommendation is to ride on two reins and I would generally endorse this as I have known horses start off brilliantly on one rein and end up over-bending (chin on chest). It helps tremendously with brakes and outline and is often used on horses that are strong, heavy in front (on the forehand) or too deep (head too near the ground). It is available with rolled leather cheeks (aesthetically more pleasing) but not as fast in their action as our rope cheeks that slip back and forth through the rings much more quickly, giving a faster and more clearly defined aid, however, you will find Neue Schule gags have slightly larger rings so the rolled leather cheeks do slide more easily if you prefer to use leather cheeks. The eggbutt is referred to as the Cheltenham Gag, the loose ring is the Balding Gag (also referred to as the Polo Gag if the rings are larger), and the full cheek is known as the Nelson Gag which is a very popular show jumping cheek (aids turning).
References :
HPTS (UK)

By: sarah h

sarah h — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 21:27:59 +0000

I used one of those when I was riding a polo pony. She was actually very well trained to voice and weight aids. The bit was used for that extra bit of balance and control in speed events.
The bit had two reins so it could be used as a snaffle or as a gag. Basically the rein attached to the rope adds pressure to the poll and makes the horse lower their head.
Polo ponies are ridden one handed and you will notice that in disciplines such as western where horses are ridden one handed more severe bits are used. It means that the rider has to have better hands to use them.
Rope gags are pretty rare these days. Most people prefer Dutch gags (continental "snaffle") as they are easier to fit and use. However, they don’t always realise that gags should be used with two reins so that the snaffle is always an option. You see a lot of horses ridden in dutch gags with the rider hauling on the gag all the time, which is pretty sad in my opinion.
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By: theshadow01

theshadow01 — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:58:59 +0000

A rope gag has an actual piece of rope as the bit. I have not seen one in years and am pretty sure they don’t make them anymore.

The gag you show in the picture is actually a relatively mild bit that is used to help balance a horse. This bit is used on jumpers.

Gag bits were designed to aid in control and leverage. Gag rounds slide through the rings of the bit and are connected directly to the reins. As the reins are used, pressure is applied to the poll, while the bit works in the horse’s mouth.
References :
14 years on "AA" hunter/jumper circuit

By: Ice Ice Baby

Ice Ice Baby — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:09:59 +0000

I’ve often heard that people use them for a little more control in speed events (usually 1 rein on the gag and one on the actual bit so you can choose the severity)
Also ive heard it can be used on horses that are heavy on the forehand to lift them up (im not sure of that works)
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By: Mulereiner

Mulereiner — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 19:37:59 +0000

If bolting is the reason your looking for a bit.. no bit will fix that.

I personally wouldn’t use a bit like that, just because they aren’t my thing and have never had a reason to use one.

I would go back to my normal training tack and if the animal had issues, adjust my training to it, not my tack.
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By: Chris D

Chris D — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:50:59 +0000

hmm not sure
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By: burtonbabyyxo

burtonbabyyxo — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:05:59 +0000

you would put that on a horse that may bolt.
:)
References :
equestrian for 10 years