Sliding Gag Bit with Twisted Wire Snaffle #20-42
From $173.99
Description: This Dennis Moreland Tack Sliding Gag Bit is built with a twisted wire mouthpiece. You have a choice of a stainless steel twisted wire headstall or, for the more sensitive horse, a 3/4 inch harness leather slide ear headstall or a 3/4 inch brow band headstall (see photo). The center bar on the bit cheeks limits the movement of the sliding mouthpiece to provide a quicker action and instant relief. The hard lay nylon cord allows the bit to slide easily. The cord is attached to a stainless steel buckle which attaches it to adjustable single ply 3/4 inch harness leather cheeks. The twisted wire mouthpiece gives a stronger signal than the common snaffle or dog bone snaffle and is very good to use if your horse has become resistant to giving his nose and/or lowering his head. This snaffle should improve stops in a horse that is trying to run off.
How it works: The simultaneous pressure on the mouth from the sliding gag bit and on the poll from the twisted, shaped, stainless steel or the leather crown increases control of the nose and improves total balancing power to produce the ultimate in vertical flexion and feel. Because your rein aids are strengthened with the gag, your leg cues given at the same time become reinforced and easier for the horse to respond to. You will be able to better concentrate on fine details of your training rather than large rebalancing or repositioning efforts regardless of your type of riding. This gag bridle is an excellent training tool for both young and older horses that need to improve flexibility and response. Your horse will learn that when it breaks at the poll the release will be instant, smooth, and consistent. Since these gags release so quickly your horse is not trapped in position while it waits for the release to occur. This helps horses stay calm and confident in training and also when they are in competition. The leather crown works well with this twisted wire mouthpiece on horses that want to drop their heads while continuing to pull on the bit.
Although this Sliding Gag is sold without reins, you can choose any Dennis Moreland split reins or roping reins for your sliding gag. To select your reins simply visit the rein category and add them to your order.
If you don’t have experience with sliding gags Dennis Moreland Tack recommends you seek the help of a professional who has experience as you are learning to use them.
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Curb Strap with Flat Chain #CU10
Description: This Curb Strap with Flat Chain #CU10 is made of an 1/2 inch wide chain attached between two 1/2 inch burgundy latigo leather straps that are hand-edged, hand-rubbed and waxed. The curb can be attached to the bit with the chain flat or with the chain in a twisted position. The beveled buckles, chain and wire loops are all made of stainless steel. This curb is AQHA legal when attached with the chain in the flat position.
How it works: The flat chain gives a stronger signal on the chin when the reins are tightened than any of the leather curbs. If the chain is attached in the twisted position the signal becomes even stronger (but is then not legal in AQHA shows).
See my Tack Talk article “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to learn more about curb straps.
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Sliding Gag Bit with Snaffle Mouthpiece #20
Description: You have a choice of 3 snaffle mouthpieces and 3 headstalls with this Draw Gag Bit. The mouthpiece choices are a 3/8 inch common snaffle, a 5/8 inch common snaffle or a dog bone snaffle. See the photos at left, descriptions below, and dropdown to order. You also have your choice of 3 headstalls (see photo). The first is a stainless steel twisted wire headstall which is designed for horses that need a very strong signal. For the more sensitive horse, a 3/4 inch harness leather slide ear headstall or a 3/4 inch brow band headstall are also available.
The custom designed bit slides easily on the hard lay nylon slide cord made especially for this bit. You will get quick and consistent cues from your reins because of the way the bit slides on this cord. The cord is attached to a stainless steel buckle which attaches it to adjustable single ply 3/4 inch harness leather cheeks. See the diagram at left to visualize this.
Mouthpiece choices:
#9: The Two Piece (common) Snaffle mouthpiece #9 is 3/8” in diameter. It works to give you a quicker and more consistent response when you ask your horse to give its head.
#52: The mouthpiece on the #52 common snaffle is 5/8” in diameter. The large diameter will help your horse relax. If your horse is anxious or afraid of the bit this mouthpiece may work very well. This bit gives a slower signal than a mouthpiece that’s smaller in diameter. This slower signal will help reduce anxious behavior.
#16: The 3/8” Dog Bone Snaffle. This snaffle really helps a horse relax because it is such a gentle mouthpiece. The extra link in the middle of the bit spreads the pressure from the rein signal more evenly across the mouth than a common 2 piece snaffle. The copper rings promote salivation and give the horse something to roll with his tongue to help him relax.
You may also order the Gag Bit with a twisted wire mouthpiece: #20-42 Sliding Gag w/Twisted Wire Snaffle or a link mouthpiece: #20-50 Sliding Gag w/Link Mouthpiece.
How it works: The Sliding Gag Bit puts pressure on the mouth and at the same time the headstall crown puts pressure on the poll. These 2 points of pressure increase control of the nose and improve total balancing power. With the increased control and balance you will gain vertical flexion and feel.
The draw gag bit strengthens your rein aids so your leg cues given at the same time become reinforced. This makes it easier for the horse to respond. You will be able to concentrate on fine details of your training, rather than large rebalancing or repositioning efforts. This gag bridle will improve your horse’s flexibility and increase his response to your cues.
The center bar on the bit cheeks limits the movement of the sliding mouthpiece. This limited movement provides a quicker action and a much quicker release than gags with longer shanks. Your horse learns that when it breaks at the poll the release will be instant, smooth and consistent. Your horses will be calmer and more confident in training and competition when they are not trapped by a slow releasing gag.
Although this Sliding Gag is sold without reins, you can choose any Dennis Moreland split reins or roping reins for your sliding gag. To select your reins simply visit the rein category and add them to your order.
Seek the help of a professional as you are learning to use a sliding gag bit if you don’t have experience.
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Steel Buster Welch Shank Bit #B5
Description: This solid Steel Buster Welch Shank Bit #B5 with 7 1/2 inch shanks is a favorite among horsemen, especially cutters. This bit is made from high strength 4130 steel and the shanks are overlaid with hand engraved nickel silver. The steel mouthpiece is 5 1/8 inches wide, 7/16″ in diameter with a flat low port, and is inlaid with copper strips to promote salivation.
How it Works: The angle of the shanks make this a particularly easy bit for the horse to carry and gives the horse time to respond after the reins are adjusted (pulled) before the mouthpiece makes contact with the sides of mouth, tongue and roof of the mouth, and the headstall crown piece makes contact with the poll, and the curb strap makes contact with the chin. This is a great shank if you require a little more response than you are getting with a shorter C style shank.
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Single Buckle Leather Curb Strap #CU31
Description: The Single Buckle Leather Curb Strap #CU31 is made of 5/8 inch hand-edged harness leather that has been hand-rubbed, treated with Neatsfoot Oil and hand-rubbed again. The buckle is stainless steel and the leather under the buckle is hand stitched together to prevent the buckle from slipping out of position.
How it works: This is designed for use on a Ring, Offset D or Eggbutt Snaffle Bit. This nice functional curb is built of high quality materials that will hold up through years of hard use. It will not stretch or get limber with use and is easy to adjust.
Visit my Tack Talk article “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to learn more about curbs.
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Ring Snaffle Bit #17
Description: The Ring Snaffle Bit #17 is made of 5/16th inch steel. The rings are 2 3/4 inches in diameter. This snaffle is available with 5 mouthpieces (see picture). All mouthpieces are 5 1/8th inches wide. Mouthpieces 9, 16 and 52 have inlaid copper bars to promote salivation.
Snaffle Bit Mouthpiece choices:
#9: This steel 2 piece snaffle mouthpiece is 3/8” in diameter. This is a great tool for anyone who wants a quicker and more consistent response when a horse is asked to give his head. Champion trainers including Tarin Rice, Boyd Rice, Gerald Alexander, Robbie Boyce, Matt Koch, Brad Lund, & Bozo Rogers all use and really like the results they get with this snaffle. Some of their comments are: “more feel than any snaffle I’ve ever put in a horse’s mouth”, “best snaffle I’ve ever ridden”, “this snaffle works so well!”, “my colts are going to the futurity in this snaffle”.
#16: The 3/8” steel 3 piece dog bone is a very gentle mouthpiece and can really help a horse relax. The extra link in the middle of the bit helps to spread the pressure from the rein signal more evenly across the mouth than a 2 piece snaffle. The copper rings promote salivation and also give the horse something to roll with his tongue to help him relax.
#42: The 3/16th inch steel twisted wire is designed for the horse that has become resistant to the plain snaffle and needs a bit of extra signal on the corners of the mouth to respond correctly. This steel bit is especially built at this diameter to prevent it from pinching or grabbing the skin at the sides of the mouth.
#48: The 1/8 inch stainless twisted wire mouthpiece is specifically designed so it will not pull or pinch the corners of the horses mouth like a steel mouthpiece of the same size will. This small diameter combined with the twisted wire will help a horse that is resistant to a pull to respond quickly and correctly.
#52: The 5/8th inch steel two piece mouthpiece is designed larger in diameter than the other mouthpieces. This will help the horse relax as the width allows a slower signal/action than the 3/8th inch mouthpiece when rein pressure is applied. This can also be a good mouthpiece for riders who have limited experience.
Although you should always check with show management, this snaffle with mouthpiece #9 or #52 is legal in AQHA & NRCHA snaffle bit classes. Shown is mouthpiece #52.