Blue Steel French Link 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 combines the French Link mouthpiece shape — one of the mildest double-jointed designs — with blue steel, a material chosen specifically to encourage salivation and acceptance.

Design

• The French Link is a double-jointed mouthpiece with a flat, rounded center plate (lozenge) between two outer sections, rather than a single hinge.
• Unlike the Dr. Bristol, the French Link's center plate lies flat against the tongue rather than sitting at an angle — there's no edge digging in, just a smooth, evenly distributed surface.
• 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.

Function

• Eliminates the nutcracker effect: Because the French Link's center plate is flat rather than angled, it removes the sharp, pinching "nutcracker" action of a single-jointed bit almost entirely, and does so more gently than the Dr. Bristol's angled plate — this is widely regarded as the mildest and most comfortable of the common double-jointed mouthpiece shapes.
• Even, distributed pressure: The flat lozenge spreads contact across the tongue and bars, rather than concentrating force at any single point, making it a smooth, predictable feel for the horse.
• More independent rein action: Because there are two joints rather than one, each side of the mouthpiece can move somewhat independently, giving clearer, more precise communication when applying pressure on just one rein.
• Encourages salivation and acceptance: The blue steel surface develops a naturally sweet-tasting oxidation layer when exposed to moisture, which stimulates the horse to salivate more, mouth the bit, and relax the jaw — the same acceptance-boosting mechanism described for blue steel in earlier answers.
• No leverage or added severity: As a true snaffle, all of this action comes from direct mouthpiece pressure — there's no shank, curb chain, or poll pressure involved.

What it's good for

• Horses with fleshy tongues or that dislike a single-jointed bit: The French Link's flat lozenge tends to follow the tongue's contours more comfortably than a lozenge/roller shape, and offers more room than a single joint, making it well liked by horses with larger or more sensitive tongues.
• Horses that need encouragement to relax, chew, and accept contact: The blue steel's sweet taste is particularly useful for tense, dry-mouthed, or resistant horses that benefit from extra salivation stimulation.
• Young or green horses learning about contact: Because it's one of the mildest jointed mouthpiece options, and because blue steel actively encourages a soft, accepting mouth, this combination is a popular, comfort-focused introduction to bit contact.
• Horses with narrow or sensitive bars: Since the French Link puts more pressure on the tongue and less directly on the bars compared to a single joint, it can suit horses with sensitive or narrow bars (though horses with very sensitive tongues might still find even this design uncomfortable).
• General schooling and everyday riding across most disciplines: A widely popular, versatile choice given its mildness and comfort focus.

A note on classification

• As with other mouthpiece/material combinations discussed, the overall action and lateral support still depends on the cheek style it's built into (loose-ring, D-ring, eggbutt, Full Cheek, etc.) — the French Link/blue steel mouthpiece itself is simply the "engine" for tongue and bar pressure and acceptance, while the cheek determines steering and mouthpiece stability.
• This is generally considered one of the mildest snaffle mouthpiece and material pairings available, prioritizing comfort and acceptance over added control.

Summary

A Double-Jointed French Link Blue Steel bit combines the gentlest of the common double-jointed shapes (flat, evenly distributing lozenge, no nutcracker action) with blue steel's natural sweet taste and salivation-encouraging properties — making it one of the most comfort-focused, acceptance-friendly bit combinations available, particularly well suited to young horses, sensitive mouths, and any horse needing encouragement to relax and accept contact softly.