Combined and Gag bits

A complete dressage bit. Here both the snaffle and the curb bit is used, but since they are not built into one bit, the effects of both are intact. It is however a lot to carry in its mouth for a horse.	The snaffle is constructed to work laterally and the curb bit is made to work vertically. The combined bits and the gag bits were made in an attempt to combine the two actions. In dressage variation one has solved the problem by using both bits at the same time in the horses mouth, and this is also quite common in driving. This is really the only effective way to get the right actions of both types of bits. However the use of two bits and two sets of reins require a rider that is well coordinated, a novice rider would not be able to use such a combination properly. A lot of bits are made as “long shank snaffles”, a jointed mouthpiece with shanks, like the Tom Thumb. However these bits will put pressure on both sides at the same time when one takes a hold of one rein : The snaffle works so that when one takes a hold of one rein the ring on the same side gets lifted away from the corner of the horses mouth, giving release. The bit then slides through the mouth, and the pressure comes on the opposite side which the horse yields from. But when you put shanks on a jointed bit that is loosely attached to the bit rings, and place the reins on the bottom of the shank the pressure effect gets changed. The looser the bit is made - the more movable pieces - the worse this effect will get. As you tighten one rein the bottom of the shank gets lifted away, but the top of the same shank will get pushed into the side of the horses mouth creating pressure on the same side as you are applying the rein. The bit then slides through the mouth and creates pressure on the opposite side too, as well as pressure to the horses tongue and bars. In addition the chain, when used, gets tight under the horses jaw and some pressure is placed on the horse poll. In effect the horse is getting pressure on all sides on its head at once making it hard for it to understand which way it really is supposed to yield. Even worse are the ones that are also combined with the mechanical Hackamore, then the horse also gets pressure on top of his nose. There are not many horses that are comfortable in such a bit! Gag bits is a variation of combined bits. Here the reins runs through the rings of the bit itself and are attached to the side pieces of the headstall or directly over the horses poll. Some even goes so far as having a steel wire go over the horses poll to give the horse a sharp pressure there to get it to lower his head.
A Dutch gag bit, commonly used especially for jumping. Most riders does not use a chain with this bit. One can place the reins in different rings, and thereby adjust the severity.
This bit is made for Icelandic horses.
This bit is called the "Stopper". Here one has attempted to combine all the sharpness of all kinds of bits into one. It is a thin, jointed twisted mouthpiece attached to long shanks that also are attached to a mechanical hackamore. The hackamore itself is thin and harsh and so is the chain that goes under the jaw. A real torture piece!	A gag bit where the rein are attached at the bottom in the rings, the pull goes through the rings of the bit and are attached to the sidepieces of the headstall.	A very extreme gag bitt with a steel wire that goes over the horse poll.