European/Continental Gag

[Pi and Tofu]

Does anyone ride with a continental? And, if you do, do you prefer one rein or two. I used to ride the jumpers in this bit, which was also called a bubble bit, and needed something with a little whoa to keep the horse under control on the trails when the other horses gallop away from him. Other than the seperation anxiety, which unfortunately causes bolting, he has a permanent whoa, so I am thinking that I will have to go with two reins. In the ring, he will stay in the Pessoa MRB.

Thanks.

[WashingtonBay]

Do you have a picture of it? I'm not sure I know what it is!

[cloedoll]

I believe she is referring to an elevator bit/dutch gag/there are a lot of names for it, which looks like this:

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-18112567332782_2019_48255870

I have seen European gags look like this, though:

http://www.randrcountry.co.uk/image.php?object_id=1972&image_id=2048&mode=detailed

So, not quite sure. Hah!

When you say bubble bit, do you mean the first bit I posted? Or a Waterford?

I think this is more a thing that will take additional time/training, not a tack issue. Not sure, though. Would love to hear more! :)

[WashingtonBay]

Ah - OK, I know them by those names! And recognize how they would work.

Haven't used them myself...



~sits down.

[Pi and Tofu]

First one.

Horse has power brakes, built in whoa and not much go. If you breathe and settle, if you say the word, he halts immediately. When seperated on the trail, he can bolt. When certainly horses gallop away (usually the fast ones), he can bolt. He is ridden 3-5 times a week, trail ridden for fun only 2-3 times a month. So, 99% of the time, he stops too well; how can you train a whoa when he is there before you.

Voila, the continental. I think two reins would serve better for the trail, but open to suggestions all around.

[cloedoll]

Voila, the continental. I think two reins would serve better for the trail, but open to suggestions all around. Could you just use one set of reins and have it on the lowest ring, providing the most leverage? Or are you saying have one set of reins on the ring that acts as a snaffle and another set on a lower ring so you are able to stop him, but also be able to have the bit serve as a snaffle for turning/flexing/etc.? If it's the second option I stated, I think it's a pretty good idea! I don't think this is a training issue (like I thought earlier) he just doesn't like to be alone and when he is, he bolts, who would want to have a bit that may or may not get him to stop on the trails (especially when you are alone)? Perhaps he will grow out of this, but for now, you definitely need a bit that will get him to stop and you won't have a doubt in your mind that it will get the job done. Does he act up like this during arena work, shows, etc. - whatever else you do? Just curious. Short answer to your question: for trails I would have the two sets of reins, one on the ring that acts as a snaffle, the other on one of the lower rings. I am no expert at all, but just throwing in another opinion. (

[Pi and Tofu]

In answer to acting up outside of the trail...as long as he can see a horse, even a couple of fields over, he sets the brakes on and is his usual slow self. If he can't see another horse, then he is usually fine if he can see people. Now, if he is in a ring with a horse and that horse leaves and there is no other horse in sight, then he will act up, usually bucking, as he approaches the gate, which is addressed quickly and resolves quickly. He is turned out 24/7 with my other horse and they are both very buddy sour; hard to fix as I have only the one field to turn them out in and there are no other horses in my neighborhood. I don't trail alone, the trails are only accessible by trailer.

Yes on the second thought on the reins. In the show ring, I want the leverage, and usually schooled in a snaffle and draws, but also have schooled horses in the continental with the snaffle rein and then a pelham on the low ring. He has such good brakes that I think I will need to stay with a snaffle rein most of the time, or he will take advantage and stop and/or slow the whole ride, but maybe not.

And, I wish it was called a Relaxation Bit; sounds like a nice massage. No instead it sounds like something from a bad massage parlor; Pessoa Magic Rotating Balls Bit.

http://www.bohtack.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Pess_RotCopBalKindDee_Bit_4647 34

He has a low palate and a soft mouth. This bit is very flexible-able to move in lots of directions, has the copper balls to encourage salivation, and best of all, since it's not broken like a snaffle, it doesn't poke the top of the palate; all this gives it a lot of finesse so that I can still take a feel of his mouth. Also, every horse I have seen with it looks to put it on, which is also a little indicator of how they feel about it. I bought it because the KK Ultra was a bit thick for his palate, snaffles are fine but still leave a little too be desired, french link is better but are such "floppy" bits when you are trying to finesse, and I didn't want to bring him lower with a straight bit that would work on the bars like a pelham/kimberwicke etc, since he is heavy up front and could use the elevation. A gag would be nice to lighten the forehand, but too much bit for a horse without a motor. This bit seems to fit that gap.

Thanks for your thoughts, will try two reins today.

[cloedoll]

Huh, that's an interesting looking bit. It kind of reminds of Waterfords, but I am sure the function/purpose is completely different. I hope the two reins work out for you!

[outriding01]

I used a 3-ring with a happy mouth on Even. I never put the reins past the second ring though. He's an extremely responsive horse but sometimes in the ring he'd get excited and I'd need just a bit of extra leverage to settle him fast enough for those tight turns. Just out hacking at the barn I'd ride him on the buckle so it didn't matter what I used.

[Palogal]

Only one set of reins is supposed to be used with the elevator. It's a leverage bit without being too hard on the mouth. I have one and have used it on a couple of horses that didn't have brakes. It's not a permanent solution, I went back to the snaffle as soon as I could, but it does help.