Double Jointed Full Cheek Gag Bit

A Full Cheek Gag combines the running gag action (sliding cheekpieces that lift and rotate the bit in the mouth) with the long cheek bars of a Full Cheek, offering both a strong balancing/head-raising effect and lateral steering support in one bit.

Design

• Like a standard running gag, the rings have holes through which specially adapted rounded leather or rope gag cheekpieces are threaded, running from the bridle's headpiece down through the bit ring to a smaller ring where the reins attach.
• Layered onto this is the Full Cheek element: narrow arms extending above and below the rings, positioned to prevent unwanted sliding within the mouth and to reinforce turning aids.
• When rein pressure is applied, the bit slides upward along the gag cheekpieces and rotates slightly in the mouth — the classic gag action — while the cheek bars simultaneously resist lateral movement and support steering.
• Mouthpieces vary (single-jointed for a nutcracker action, roller, high port, twisted, etc.), and severity is also influenced by the size of the rings — larger rings mean a stronger gag action.

Function

• Balance and rebalancing: The core gag action works on the horse's balance — as the bit slides up and applies poll and mouth-corner pressure, it encourages the horse to rebalance and shift weight back onto the hindquarters, discouraging leaning on the forehand.
• Combined balance and direction: This bit combines the gag action and the Full Cheek action, meaning it addresses both balance/rebalancing and directional control in a single mouthpiece — useful when a horse needs both at once.
• Reinforced steering: The cheek bars add the same lateral guidance as a standalone Full Cheek, helping keep the shoulders aligned and supporting clear turning cues even while the gag action is engaged.
• Reduced sliding/mouth stability: The full cheek arms help prevent the bit from moving excessively within the mouth, giving a steadier, more framed feel than a plain gag ring alone.
• No upper limit on lift: As with any gag, there's no built-in limit to how far the bit can rise in the mouth — strong or sustained rein pressure can lift it substantially, so it must be used thoughtfully.

What it's good for

• Strong horses that lean on the forehand or get heavy in fast work: The gag action encourages rebalancing and discourages leaning, useful for horses that pull or become unbalanced at speed.
• Horses that also need extra steering support: The Full Cheek element makes this a good choice for a horse that both needs rebalancing help and struggles with straightness or drifting through turns — addressing both issues without needing two separate bits.
• Fast, forward disciplines: Commonly used in cross-country, showjumping, and other jumping/eventing contexts where quick rebalancing and directional control both matter, especially in open, fast-paced work.
• Use with two reins or bit loops: As with other gags, it's often recommended with two reins (or bit loops/converters), giving the rider the option to use plain snaffle-style pressure most of the time and engage the gag action only when needed.

A note on use

• Because it combines two strong mechanisms (gag leverage plus full cheek lateral pressure), it's considered a more advanced, stronger bit — best suited to experienced riders with good timing and independent hands.
• Bit keepers are advisable to keep the full cheek arms stable and reduce snagging risk.

Competition legality

Like other gag bits, the Full Cheek Gag is generally not FEI dressage-legal, and is instead used in disciplines like eventing (cross-country), showjumping, and some hunting contexts where stronger control is permitted.

Summary

The Full Cheek Gag merges gag-style rebalancing action with Full Cheek steering support, making it a strong, dual-purpose option for horses that lean, rush, or get strong in fast work while also needing help with directional control — best reserved for experienced riders in disciplines like eventing and showjumping.

This describes an all-polymer double-jointed mouthpiece, where even the center roller is made of the same soft, flexible material as the outer bars, rather than a metal roller (like brass or copper) set into a polymer mouthpiece. It's one of the gentlest, most fully "soft" bit combinations available.

Design

• The mouthpiece has a double-jointed structure — two outer sections plus a center piece — but instead of a flat plate or metal lozenge, the center features a rotating roller made entirely of polymer.
• Both the outer bars and the roller are typically made from the same "space age" polymer, often apple-scented, giving a consistent soft, warm feel across the entire mouthpiece with no metal contact points at all (aside from the rings/cheeks themselves).
• The roller sits at the center joint and rotates freely, similar in concept to a metal roller, but softer to the touch.

Function

• Eliminates the nutcracker effect: As with any double-jointed mouthpiece, the two joints prevent the sharp folding/pinching action of a single joint, spreading pressure more evenly across the tongue and bars.
• Softer overall feel than a metal-roller version: Because the roller itself is polymer rather than metal, there's no cold, hard metal anywhere in the mouth — the entire mouthpiece experience is warm and give-y, which can matter for horses especially sensitive to or apprehensive of metal.
• Gives the tongue something to engage with: Like metal rollers (brass, copper), the polymer roller offers the horse's tongue something to play with, which can help keep a fidgety or tense mouth quieter and more settled by redirecting nervous tongue movement into a controlled, contained motion.
• Encourages acceptance: The pleasant scent and consistently soft material throughout (bars and roller alike) is aimed specifically at improving bit acceptance, especially in horses wary of metal.
• Independent side movement: The double-joint construction allows each side of the mouthpiece to move somewhat independently, 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.

What it's good for

• Horses that are particularly averse to metal, or have had negative associations with a bit: Because there's no metal anywhere in the mouthpiece (aside from any internal core, which is usually not in direct contact), this is one of the softest, most approachable options for rebuilding trust and comfort.
• Very sensitive-mouthed or apprehensive horses: The combination of a soft polymer roller and soft polymer bars minimizes hard contact points throughout the entire mouth.
• Young or green horses learning to accept a bit for the first time: The gentle, fully soft mouthpiece plus the roller's engaging quality make this an approachable, encouraging introduction to contact.
• Fidgety or "busy-mouthed" horses: The roller gives a constructive outlet for a horse that wants to move its tongue or fuss with the bit, without introducing a firmer metal element.
• Advanced or precise work where a mild mouthpiece is still needed: Some versions of this design are specifically noted as suitable for more advanced training, since the double joint still allows fairly clear, independent rein action despite the overall softness.

A note on limitations

• Because there's no metal roller and no metal center piece, this combination doesn't offer any taste-driven salivation boost the way a copper or blue steel roller would — its comfort benefit comes purely from material softness and the tongue-engaging roller action, not from taste stimulation.
• Polymer mouthpieces, including rollers, can be chewed and damaged over time, particularly by strong or persistent chewers, so periodic inspection for wear or bite marks is worthwhile (and typically not covered under warranty by manufacturers).

A note on classification

• The overall lateral action still depends on the cheek style (loose-ring, D-ring, Full Cheek, Baucher, etc.) this mouthpiece is built into.
• This combination sits at the very mild end of the spectrum, prioritizing maximum softness and acceptance over any added control or taste-based salivation boost.

Summary

A Double-Jointed Polymer bit with a polymer roller offers a fully soft, all-polymer mouthpiece experience — no metal contact points, a gentle double-jointed profile, and a roller for the tongue to engage with — making it one of the gentlest, most approachable bit combinations available, particularly well suited to horses wary of metal, very sensitive mouths, fidgety horses, or young horses just learning to accept contact.