Dutch Gag 4 Ring French Link

Dutch Gag 4 Ring French Link bit is designed to apply poll pressure and gives the rider extra leverage when needed through the lower rings. It should be worn with 2 reins preferably; the first rein should be used on the snaffle ring, which is the first ring adjacent to the mouthpiece. When the first rein is attached to the snaffle rein it is used just like a loose ring hanging cheek bit, which uses poll pressure and lip pressure due to the sliding loose ring also applies pressures in the mouth through the jointed mouthpiece. When the second rein is attached to the ring below, the pressures are increased as the lower rings produce more leverage. In the instance of using 2 reins then this bit can be used as a hanging cheek bit and then when more help is required, the second rein can be brought into play. If the bit is only used with one rein on the lower ring, then the pressure is applied constantly and no pressure release is available for the horse.

The gag produces a head raising action and is often used for cross country and/or jumping where the head needs to be raised quickly in order to gain control and so to get ready for the next jump. The single joint puts pressure on the sides of the tongue, on the lips and on the bars due to the nutcracker. The single jointed bits may also have a head raising action.

French link mouthpieces soften the action of a single jointed bit by eliminating the nutcracker action, by means of a shaped flat plate which lies across the horses tongue.