Blue Steel Double Jointed with Brass Rollers 2 Ring Gag Bit

A Two Ring Gag (also called a "2-ring elevator bit") is the simpler counterpart to the Three Ring Gag — a fixed-shank gag bit offering just two rein attachment points rather than three, giving a more limited but still adjustable range of leverage.

Design

• Like the three-ring version, it has a main ring at the mouthpiece (the "snaffle" position) and a single additional lower ring offering the gag/leverage action — rather than the two lower rings found on a three-ring gag.
• The single ring above the mouthpiece is for attaching the bridle's cheekpieces, while the bottom ring offers the leverage rein setting.
• The mouthpiece can vary — single-jointed, French link, or with a lozenge/roller — independent of the ring design.

Function

• Two rein options only: Reins can be attached to the main ring (functioning essentially as a plain snaffle) or to the bottom ring, which engages the gag/leverage action.
• Combined poll and mouth pressure: When the lower (gag) rein is engaged, tension is placed on the cheekpieces, applying poll pressure, while the mouthpiece is drawn/raised slightly in the mouth — both actions working together to help place the horse's head in a more controllable position.
• Milder than the three-ring version: Because there's only one leverage setting rather than a graduated middle-and-bottom option, the Two Ring Gag is not as severe and does not provide as much leverage as the three-ring model, which is typically reserved for very strong horses.
• Lateral/steering support: As with other multi-ring gags, the rings can also function somewhat like the shanks of a Full Cheek, adding pressure to the side of the face during a turn.
• Rebalancing: The overall action helps a horse rebalance and come back off the forehand, useful for increasing lightness and control when used correctly.

What it's good for

• Horses that need some extra "brake" but not the strongest leverage option: A good middle-ground choice for a horse that's a bit strong or leans on the bit, without needing the full range of severity a three-ring gag offers.
• Three-day eventers and jumpers: Elevator bits like this are popular in eventing and showjumping, where extra control and quick rebalancing before fences matter, particularly in cross-country and stadium phases.
• Riders wanting simplicity: With only two rein positions to choose from, it's a more straightforward option than the three-ring version, while still offering adjustable severity between "plain snaffle" and "leverage engaged."
• Horses that pull, lean, or are difficult to turn: As with other gags, useful for horses that lean on the bit, are strong pullers, or are heavy on the forehand.

A note on use and severity

• All gags, including the two-ring version, should ideally be used with two sets of reins — one on the main/snaffle ring, and one on the lower/gag ring — allowing the horse to be ridden predominantly off the snaffle rein, with the gag rein used only when needed.
• Gag bits can be very severe if used improperly, so guidance from a knowledgeable trainer is recommended, and they are not suitable for novice riders.
• Not all horses respond well to gag action — some may resist, lean against the pressure, or toss their head, so it's worth assessing the individual horse's response carefully.

Competition legality

Like other gag bits, the Two Ring Gag is not permitted in dressage, but is commonly used in showjumping, eventing (particularly cross-country), and hacking where additional control is needed.

Summary

The Two Ring Gag offers a simpler, milder version of the adjustable-leverage gag concept — combining poll and mouth pressure with some lateral support — making it a popular choice for horses that need a bit more control than a snaffle provides (especially in eventing and jumping) without requiring the stronger, more graduated leverage of a three-ring gag.

This describes a mouthpiece style and material combination rather than a single "type" of bit — it refers to features that can be applied to almost any cheekpiece design (loose-ring, D-ring, eggbutt, or even a gag), so the ring/cheek style would still determine the bit's overall lateral action. But the mouthpiece itself — double-jointed, blue steel, with brass rollers — has specific, well-defined functions.

Breaking down the features

• Double-jointed mouthpiece:
• Consists of three parts rather than a single hinge — two outer sections plus a center link/piece.
• The center piece lies flatter across the tongue than a single joint would, eliminating the sharp "nutcracker" action that a single-jointed mouthpiece creates (where the two halves fold upward into a V-shape and can pinch the tongue and jab the roof of the mouth).
• Distributes pressure more evenly across the tongue and bars, generally making it a more comfortable, gentler mouthpiece profile than a single-jointed bit.
• The thicker the center portion, the more surface-area pressure lands on the tongue specifically.
• Blue steel material:
• Blue steel is a technologically advanced version of traditional sweet iron (black steel).
• It oxidizes faster and more easily than standard sweet iron, developing a light surface rust when exposed to air, humidity, and saliva.
• This surface rust has a naturally sweet taste, which stimulates the horse's saliva production and encourages better bit acceptance — horses tend to mouth, chew, and salivate more, and often relax their jaw more readily as a result.
• The rust is cosmetic and easily wiped off with a damp cloth; it's considered a normal, expected part of how the metal functions rather than a defect.
• Brass rollers:
• Small rollers or discs set into the mouthpiece (usually at the center joint) that rotate freely, giving the horse something to "play with" using its tongue.
• This can help keep a fidgety or mouthy horse's mouth quieter and more occupied/settled, redirecting nervous tongue movement into a small, contained motion rather than more disruptive tongue or jaw evasions.
• Some brass roller designs, particularly ring-style rollers at the joint, can also increase tongue activity and salivation further, reinforcing the sweet-iron effect.
• The brass material itself, similar to copper, is often chosen because horses tend to find its taste and warmth pleasant, adding to overall acceptance.

What it's good for

• Horses that are mouthy, tense in the jaw, or resistant to accepting contact: The combination of a gentler double-jointed profile, a taste that encourages salivation, and rollers to occupy the tongue is specifically aimed at improving relaxation and acceptance of the bit.
• Horses that grind, clamp, or fuss with a plainer mouthpiece: The rollers give restless tongues something constructive to do, which can reduce fidgeting or tension-related evasions.
• Riders wanting a milder feel than a single-jointed bit: The double joint's flatter profile avoids the sharper nutcracker action, making it a comfortable step up from a basic single-jointed snaffle.
• General schooling and everyday riding: This mouthpiece style is popular across many disciplines specifically because it's seen as a comfort-focused, acceptance-boosting design rather than a stronger or more corrective one.

A note on classification

• Because "double-jointed blue steel with brass rollers" describes the mouthpiece and material, not the cheek/ring style, its overall action still depends heavily on what kind of cheek it's paired with — a loose-ring version will behave differently (softer, more mobile) than the same mouthpiece on a D-ring, Full Cheek, or gag bit (which would add lateral support or leverage on top of the mouthpiece's own gentle action).
• This mouthpiece and material combination is generally considered mild to moderate, focused on comfort and acceptance rather than added control — any extra severity would come from the cheek style it's built into, not from this mouthpiece itself.

Summary

A double-jointed blue steel mouthpiece with brass rollers combines three comfort- and acceptance-focused features: a flatter, gentler double joint (avoiding the nutcracker effect), blue steel's natural sweet taste (encouraging salivation and relaxation), and rollers (giving a fidgety tongue something to do) — making it a popular, mild-to-moderate mouthpiece choice for horses that need encouragement to relax, salivate, and accept contact comfortably, regardless of which cheek/ring style it's built onto.