Blue Steel Oval Link Cheltenham Gag Bit

A Cheltenham gag is a type of "running gag" bit — a category of gag snaffle recognized by its eggbutt-style rings with holes, through which specially adapted rounded leather or rope cheekpieces are threaded to create a leverage-lifting action.

Design

• The bit itself resembles an eggbutt snaffle, but the rings have holes rather than being solid.
• Gag cheekpieces (rounded leather or rope, sold separately) pass through these holes and attach to the bridle above and to a small ring below, where the reins are fastened — this describes their action as the bit runs upwards on the bridle's specially adapted rounded leather or nylon cord cheek pieces, with these cheek pieces passing through the bit's specially adapted sides, concluding in rings to which a set of reins are attached. Horse & Hound
• When rein pressure is applied via the gag cheekpiece, the bit slides upward and rotates slightly in the mouth. Wikipedia
• The mouthpiece is most commonly single-jointed, though other options exist.
• Severity is influenced by ring size, with larger rings allowing for more pronounced gag action. Wikipedia

Function

• Head-raising action: Gags work by raising the bit up in the horse's mouth and applying poll pressure, with the effect usually lifting the horse's head. Unicorn SaddleryTheSaddleryShop
• Nutcracker effect: With a single-jointed mouthpiece, a 'nutcracker' action applies pressure to the tongue and bars of the mouth. Unicorn Saddlery
• Smoother, steadier action than other gags: The eggbutt rings help prevent the bit from moving around too much in the mouth, and can encourage the horse to stretch forward into the contact. This makes Cheltenham gags a steady, smooth-acting gag with non-pinch cheeks, a good option for horses sensitive to pinching even with bit guards. Horse & HoundEquusport
• No upper limit on lift: Gags are strong bits and need to be used with care, as there is no limit to the amount they can be raised in the mouth. Strong rein pressure can lift the bit two inches or more, risking discomfort, pinching, or tearing at the corners of the lips. TheSaddleryShopWikipedia
• Two reins recommended: It's recommended for use with two reins — one attached to the end of the cheek straps, and one directly to the bit rings, with the bit-ring rein acting as a normal eggbutt snaffle would — giving the rider the option to use plain snaffle pressure most of the time, engaging the gag action only when needed. Horse & Hound
• Can help with tongue-over-bit issues: The high position of the mouthpiece in use can sometimes help prevent a horse from getting its tongue over the bit. TheSaddleryShop

What it's good for

• The Cheltenham gag is used mostly on horses that lean on the bit or become strong during fast work. Horse & Hound
• It's often used for fast work and jumping disciplines such as cross country, where the head may need to be raised quickly to gain control. Unicorn Saddlery
• It's most commonly seen in eventing and showjumping when increased control is required. Horse & Hound
• Experienced riders only: This bit should be used by experienced riders only, given the strength of the leverage action and the skill needed to manage two reins effectively. Horse & Hound

Competition legality

Gag bits, including the Cheltenham, are generally not dressage-legal and are restricted to disciplines like eventing (cross-country phase), showjumping, and some hunting contexts where stronger control is accepted.

Summary

The Cheltenham gag is a smooth, steady-acting running gag that raises the bit and applies poll pressure to help control strong, leaning, or fast-moving horses — best used with two reins by an experienced rider, and reserved for disciplines like cross-country and showjumping rather than dressage.

This combines the rounded, smooth-sided lozenge center piece with blue steel outer bars, pairing a comfortably shaped mouthpiece with a material specifically chosen to encourage salivation and acceptance.

Design

• Like the French Link, the oval/lozenge mouthpiece is double-jointed — two outer sections plus a center piece — but the center piece is rounded and oval-shaped rather than a flat plate, with no thin edges anywhere around it.
• The outer bars are made of blue steel, a technologically advanced version of traditional sweet iron (black steel), which oxidizes faster and more easily, developing a light surface rust when exposed to air, humidity, and saliva.
• The center lozenge itself may be blue steel as well, or sometimes a different metal (such as copper) — worth checking on the specific bit, since manufacturers vary in whether they carry the blue steel through the entire mouthpiece or just the outer bars.

Function

• Rounded, even pressure distribution: Because the lozenge is smooth and oval all the way around rather than flat, there's no edge to dig into the tongue regardless of how the bit sits or rotates — this gives a consistently gentle, "wrapped" feel that many horses find comfortable, similar to but distinct from the flatter French Link.
• No nutcracker effect: As with any double-jointed mouthpiece, the two joints eliminate the sharp folding/pinching action of a single joint, spreading pressure across the tongue and bars rather than concentrating it.
• Encourages salivation and acceptance: The blue steel bars develop a naturally sweet-tasting oxidation layer when exposed to moisture, stimulating the horse to salivate, mouth the bit, and relax the jaw — the same acceptance-boosting mechanism seen in other blue steel combinations discussed earlier.
• Independent side movement: The double-joint construction allows each side of the mouthpiece some independent movement, offering clearer lateral and flexion cues than a single joint.
• No leverage or added severity: This remains a true snaffle, working purely through direct pressure with no shank or curb chain.

What it's good for

• Horses with small mouths, low palates, or big tongues: The rounded lozenge shape suits horses with limited mouth space, since there are no edges to catch regardless of positioning.
• Horses that need encouragement to relax the jaw 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 — more so than a plain stainless steel lozenge would offer.
• Horses that seem uncomfortable in a flat French Link: As discussed previously, individual horses can strongly prefer the rounded lozenge shape over the flatter French Link plate, so this is a reasonable option to try if a horse fusses with a French Link.
• Young or green horses learning to accept the bit: The combination of a comfortable, edge-free shape and a taste that encourages chewing and salivation makes this a popular, approachable introduction to contact.
• General schooling across most disciplines: A mild, comfort- and acceptance-focused mouthpiece suited to a wide range of horses and riding levels.

A note on classification

• As with other mouthpiece/material combinations discussed, the overall lateral action still depends on the cheek style (loose-ring, D-ring, eggbutt, Full Cheek, etc.) this mouthpiece is built into.
• This pairing sits at the mild end of the spectrum, combining a naturally comfortable mouthpiece shape with a material aimed purely at boosting acceptance and relaxation, without adding any extra control.

Summary

A Double-Jointed Oval/Lozenge bit with blue steel bars combines a smooth, edge-free, evenly distributing mouthpiece shape with blue steel's natural sweet taste and salivation-encouraging properties — making it a gentle, acceptance-focused option well suited to horses with small mouths or low palates, those needing encouragement to relax and salivate, and horses that respond better to a rounded lozenge than a flatter French Link.