Dutch Gag French Link 4 Ring Bit

Dutch Gag 4 Ring French Link A double-jointed continental snaffle bit, also sometimes known as a 4 ring continental. The curved mouthpiece follows the contours of the horse’s mouth and is good for horses with a larger tongue.
French link bits feature a flat plate that lies across the horse's tongue eliminating the nutcracker action of a single jointed bit. The continental cheek of the French link Dutch Gag involves a series of rings, the main bit ring with one smaller ring above and two below, which enables a number of different positions for the reins
Correctly, the continental snaffle should be used with two reins, one on the main snaffle ring, and a second on either of the lower two smaller rings depending on how much poll pressure is required. Often the bit is only used with one rein on the lower rings, but ideally if only one rein is to be used the bit should be used with roundings to maintain better contact with the horse’s mouth.
Originally designed to emulate the effect of draw reins in the showjumping arena, the Dutch Gag is a popular bit and useful for horses that dislike a curb but respond well to poll pressure. Continental bits work by raising the bit up in the horse’s mouth in a similar manner to a gag, but there is a limit to the extent this can happen to lessen the severity. In addition to this, a lot of poll pressure can be achieved on the lower setting on the Dutch Gag which is why ideally two reins should be used to ensure a correct contact can be maintained on the snaffle rein when the poll pressure is not needed.