The Elevator or Gag Bit

An English gag with running sidepieces.

The snaffle rings have holes
through them.

The bit we usually think of when we say "gag" is the English Gag bitting that looks like the photo to the left. From the side, it can look deceptively like a regular snaffle. That is because it''''s supposed to have reins attached to it the way you attach reins to a common snaffle. Too, that is. Because as you can see in the photo, the side piece of the bridle is not buckled to the ring. It runs through holes in the ring and attaches to the rein after it exits. The regular sidepieces of the bridle must be exchanged for the rounded sidepieces that run through the holes in the bit rings. This is really supposed to be a "two rein bitting", but you hardly ever see it used like that. Just like you hardly ever see the pelham used with two sets of reins, either.

The steel bit thus comes with the rolled leather side pieces when you buy it. There are those made of synthetics, as well. The buckle at the bridle and the ring at the rein cannot run through the hole, so it will have to be sewn in.

The rounded leather piece (blue) thus runs through the hole. When you pull on the rein, the leather is pulled towards the rider (pink). When it does, the side piece is shortened (since it is being pulled out with the rein) so that the bit is pulled up towards the teeth (green).

This bitting is supposed to be used on pullers, on heavy horses that evade the aids by leaning on the bit. It is basically a bit used to get about in cross country courses and possibly in jumping. This bit has NO merit in the proper education of dressage horses.