Gag Bits For Horses

A gag bit uses a continuous rein-rope or special cheek mechanism to apply leverage to the bit and poll simultaneously - typically used to raise a horse's head and provide control without going to a Pelham. Gag bits are popular in cross-country, hunting and show jumping for stronger horses, particularly going downhill or in open country.

A gag suits horses that get strong over fences or in open country and benefit from poll pressure to lift the head, rather than just brake from the mouth. Always introduce on the bottom rein only at first, with a snaffle rein on top as a safety. Don't fit a gag for routine flatwork - it's a control tool for specific situations.

Measure mouth width at the corners and pick a bit that sits with about 5mm clear on each side. Most gags come in standard pony, cob and horse sizes. The cheek pattern (loose ring, eggbutt, full cheek, curbgag) determines how the leverage is applied - choose based on your horse and discipline.

A Pelham combines snaffle and curb action in one bit using two reins - one on the snaffle ring, one on the shanked curb. A gag uses leverage from a continuous rope through the cheek to lift the head - typically with a single rein but more aggressive on the poll. Both are control bits; gags raise the head, Pelhams provide direct curb pressure.

Trust Equestrian covers the gag bit range across the Inno Sense flexible synthetic, sweet iron and leather lines, in eggbutt, loose ring, full cheek and curbgag patterns. Metalab covers gag patterns including the John Whitaker Gag and the Winchester Miracle Gag. See specialised bits for the specialist range.

Rinse the bit in warm water after every ride. Inspect the cheek mechanism (rope-through-cheek for traditional gags, locking shank for modern gags) regularly for wear - the mechanism is the load-bearing part of the bit and can fail without warning if neglected. Replace any gag with frayed or stretched rope before next use.