Double Jointed Copper Roller American Gag Bit

The American Gag is a specific style of fixed-shank gag bit, distinguished by its "H"-shaped frame — a design that sets it apart from the sliding-cheekpiece running gags (like the Cheltenham or Balding) and from the more graduated Dutch-style multi-ring gags.

Design

• The American Gag features an "H"-shaped frame on each side: an upper shank ring for attaching the bridle's cheekpieces, a lower shank with a ring for the gag rein, and a middle loop where a standard snaffle rein can be attached.
• Unlike the Dutch gag (multi-ring, adjustable height options), the American Gag has fixed rein attachments — there's no choice of multiple leverage settings; the gag ring position is set.
• As rein pressure is applied on the lower (gag) rein, the mouthpiece slides upward along the curved sides of the bit shank, rather than through cheekpiece cords threaded through holes as in a running gag.

Function

• Concentrated pressure at the mouth corners: As the mouthpiece slides upward along the shank, force concentrates at the corners of the horse's mouth, encouraging a head-raising response.
• Simultaneous downward poll pressure: At the same time, the bit applies downward pressure to the horse's poll through the upper shank/cheekpiece connection.
• Conflicting signals — a notable criticism: Because the upward-sliding mouthpiece action (which tends to raise the head) directly opposes the downward poll pressure (which tends to lower the head), critics and bitting experts note that this combination sends conflicting signals to the horse — one part of the bit is asking for a different head position than the other. This is one of the more debated aspects of the American Gag's design compared to other gag styles.
• General gag effect: Despite this criticism, in practice the bit still functions broadly like other gags — reinforcing rein aids and increasing the rider's ability to rebalance and stop the horse quickly, encouraging a horse to come back off the forehand.

What it's good for

• Strong horses that lean, pull, or get heavy on the forehand: As with other gags, useful when extra "brakes" and rebalancing help are needed beyond what a snaffle provides.
• Disciplines like showjumping, cross-country, and hacking: Where quick rebalancing and control matter and gag-style bits are generally accepted (dressage excluded).
• Riders wanting a fixed, simple gag setup: Because the rein positions are fixed rather than adjustable across multiple rings, it may suit riders who prefer a single, consistent action rather than fine-tuning leverage mid-ride.

A note on use and caution

• Two reins recommended: As with most gags, the bit is ideally used with two sets of reins — one on the snaffle/middle loop for regular contact, and one on the gag ring for leverage only when needed — so the gag action isn't constantly engaged.
• Given the conflicting-signal critique, some trainers and bitting experts consider the American Gag a less clearly designed option compared to other gag styles (like a true running gag or a Dutch/3-ring gag), since the horse may receive mixed cues about head position. It's worth discussing with a knowledgeable trainer whether this bit — versus another gag style — best suits a particular horse's needs.
• Like all gags, it can be very severe if used improperly, so it is not recommended for novice riders.

Competition legality

As with other gag bits, the American Gag is not permitted in dressage, but may be used in disciplines like showjumping, eventing (cross-country), and hacking where stronger control is accepted.

Summary

The American Gag uses a distinctive H-shaped shank frame to combine mouth-corner and poll pressure in a fixed-leverage gag design — functioning similarly to other gags in helping rebalance strong or leaning horses, though its particular mechanism (upward-sliding mouthpiece vs. downward poll pressure) has drawn some criticism for sending the horse mixed signals, so it's worth understanding this nuance when choosing between gag styles.

Like the blue steel version, this describes a mouthpiece material and design combination that can be built onto various cheek styles (loose-ring, D-ring, Full Cheek, or even a gag) — so the cheek/ring choice still determines the bit's lateral action, while these features shape the feel in the mouth itself.

Breaking down the features

• Polymer mouthpiece:
• Made from a synthetic "space age" polymer rather than metal — often scented (commonly apple) to encourage acceptance.
• Feels warmer and softer than metal against the tongue and bars, generally regarded as gentler and more forgiving, especially for horses that are apprehensive about metal bits or have sensitive mouths.
• Well accepted by most horses due to both the softer material and the palatable scent.
• Double-jointed construction:
• Consists of three parts — two outer sections plus a center link — rather than a single hinge.
• This reduces palate pressure and distributes contact more evenly across the tongue, bars, and corners of the mouth compared to a single-jointed mouthpiece, avoiding the sharper "nutcracker" action of a single joint.
• Allows greater mobility in the mouthpiece, which can improve comfort and reduce resistance in many horses.
• The size and shape of the center link influences how much tongue pressure is applied — a thicker center link means more tongue pressure, making mouthpiece choice somewhat adaptable to individual mouth conformation.
• Copper roller:
• A small rotating roller, usually pure copper (often 99.9%), set into the center of the mouthpiece.
• Copper is a soft, warm metal with a taste horses generally find pleasant, which encourages salivation and helps keep the mouth moist.
• The roller also gives the horse's tongue something to engage with, which can promote relaxation, softening, and a quieter, more settled mouth — while also giving restless or fidgety horses a constructive outlet.
• In some designs, the rolling action additionally discourages leaning on the bit, since a horse can't get a fixed, stable purchase against a moving roller.

What it's good for

• Horses that are apprehensive about metal or slow to accept a bit: The combination of a soft, palatable polymer mouthpiece and a pleasant-tasting copper roller is specifically aimed at improving comfort and acceptance.
• Horses with sensitive mouths or dislike of "cold" metal contact: The polymer's warmth and give can make the overall feel gentler than an all-metal mouthpiece.
• Horses that need encouragement to relax the jaw and salivate: Useful for tense, dry-mouthed, or resistant horses, similar in intent to sweet iron or copper metal bits.
• Horses that fidget, chew excessively, or seem to need something to do with their tongue: The roller offers a controlled, contained outlet for that tendency.
• Horses that lean on contact: The rolling action can discourage a horse from bracing against a fixed mouthpiece.
• Young or green horses learning to accept contact: Often used as an approachable, comfort-focused introduction to bit acceptance.

A note on classification

• As with the blue steel/brass roller combination, the overall severity and lateral action still depends on the cheek style the mouthpiece is built into — a loose-ring version will feel different from the same mouthpiece on a Full Cheek or gag bit, which would add steering support or leverage respectively.
• This mouthpiece and material combination is generally considered mild, prioritizing comfort, salivation, and acceptance rather than added control.

Summary

A double-jointed polymer mouthpiece with a copper roller combines a soft, warm, palatable material with an evenly-distributing double joint and a salivation-encouraging copper roller — making it one of the gentler, more comfort-focused mouthpiece options available, well suited to sensitive, apprehensive, tense, or fidgety horses that benefit from extra encouragement to relax and accept the bit, regardless of which cheek/ring style it's paired with.