The single jointed Dutch Gag from the horses POV.

A couple of decades ago the classic single jointed Dutch Gag was all the rage as it helped a lot of strong horses stop, it gave riders control when they had struggled before. However, with all the thousands of alternative options and with what we know now, it really surprises me it is still so commonly used today. Let me explain...

The classic single jointed mouth piece

Let's start with the mouth piece- a single jointed Bit squeezes the tongue (pictured), since it has no locking up action it can continue to squeeze the tongue to no limit, sometimes even cutting off circulation. The cannons of the mouthpiece are typically joined together but these huge joins/knuckles which create very targeted and uncomfortable pressure points. The cannons are also usually very straight with no curvature, this creates less surface area on the horses mouth and therefore it is harsher on the mouth. The single jointed action also has a squeezing action on the horses bars; now listen very closely and remember this for later- squeezing LIFTS the head. Horses that go in a single jointed mouthpiece generally have high head posture, I guess from trying to get away from the pressure!

Next is the cheek piece, the 4 loops are very distinctive of the Dutch Gag. If I used my maths properly, a rider riding on the bottom ring applying 3kg of pressure on each side of the horses mouth, will then result in the horse feeling roughly 12kg of pressure in total. In a snaffle the ratio is 1:1, meaning the amount of pressure you put on is what the horse will feel. Leverage Bits are different, the pressure you put on the reins is going to be multiplied by the length of shank. So basically, small rein pressure + leverage bit = huge amount poll pressure.

The thing about leverage Bits, (remembering what I mentioned before about the single joint lifts the head) is that they LOWER the head/neck. So by putting a head lifting mouthpiece and a head lowering cheekpiece together, you get the awfully confusing dutch gag.

Now don't get me wrong, some horses do just go well in them for no rhyme or reason. From a logistical point of view, I would've thought opposing forces would be extremely confusing for the horse, one pressure telling them to bring the head up and the other pressure telling them to lower it. This is often when we find horses resist instead of respond, rather than slowing down smoothly and softening to the Bit, we often see a abrupt shorten of the gait and a head toss to get the pressure away.

I think now we have sooooooo many softer, more ergonomic, horse friendly and rider concious options it is the sensible choice to explore those Bits. A good friend once said to me "A calm horse isn't always obedient, but an obedient horse is always calm" I think this applys to a lot of horse related topic, especially this particular one. If the horse is confused about the Bit and showing this (seen as disobedient), then it is never going to be a calm ride.

Confused about what kinder options are out there that will still give you control? As well as an extensive range of snaffles, I carry leverage Bits ranging from Pelhams, universals, running gags, bevels and more... although, I can't say I carry a range of Dutch Gags!