Gag bit use leverage cheeks. Meaning that there is no curb chain so there is no real leverage. Reins are attached to the gag cheeks that pass through the bit cheeks and over the poll. It works on the horse's lips and poll simultaneously. The pressure on the lips tends to make the horse raise its head, which is useful for a horse that tends to take hold of a bit and run off. Some believe that the pressure on the poll can help encourage a horse to lower its head, but this is usually not the case, since the lips are much more sensitive.It is, however, useful in that it provides more control than a snaffle bit but does not increase the severity of the pressure on the tongue or bars of the mouth. Yet,  gag bits, will  encourages high, stiff necks.

Elevator bits consists of a snaffle mouth piece with a cheeks or a shanks attached to the side. The upper shank has a hole to attach the cheek piece, and the lower shank has several holes to attach the rein. The lower the rein is placed on the shank, the more severe the leverage. When rein pressure is applied, the bit rotates in the mouth and places pressure on the poll. the upper shank will move forward, putting pressure on the lips.