Double Jointed Copper Roller Eggbutt 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.

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.