Advice on waterford bit for traditional cob?

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GeorgeyGal

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I'm a fan of using as little as possible and my cob goes well in his bitless most of the time, but he is quite green and I have just started riding out in company and he finds it quite excitable during cantering and has thrown in a little buck and can get strong, I just want something a 'bit more' for these occasions as want to do fun rides also in the summer, just until he gets more used to company and finds his place. I was thinking a waterford with cheek bars, so he cannot lean and get his head down as it collapses? I had a look online and there seems to be a lot of waterfords, is it worth investing in a ns waterford?
 
We have a waterford on our cobby type, we find her a lot better in it. Although she can be quite strong and leany, she is a lot better in the waterford than in any other (stronger or weaker) bit we have tried her in. She still does carry her head quite low but she doesnt lean on it like she used to and is more responsive. Ours is not a NS one, I have never used a NS bit, but I am aware that NS ones are a lot more expensive, so I would suggest borrowing a cheap normal one first!! (there are some bit bank companies that you can hire from)
 
I use a waterford for my sec D. It's never really worked but his problem is his mind not his mouth, lol!

I guess you could try a NS (borrow?) as all horses are different.
Good luck and I'd love to see a pic of your cob. Pleeeeeeeeeease?
 
Yes, I think I will hire/borrow or buy a cheapy waterford. Will get his teeth checked before I put one in though. I don't bother with his snaffle as it gives him something to lean on and he is like a sniffer dog in it, bitless works well as can get his head up and round if needed but as I say something for faster rides would be good.

http://postimg.org/image/w1klw57rv/

Not sure if pic will work...
 
I tried a NS universal Waterford on my gypsy cob as he has a tendency to lean. I rode him in it 3 times, I had zero steering at all in The school! Changing him to the NS universal (not Waterford) and he's going nicely again. It was very easy to sell though - not much below the new price so I only lost the same as I would have if I'd hired it
 
Hated the Waterford but love a gag :) snaffle for schooling and down one notch for exciting stuff. Works a treat, she is a tank out hacking in a snaffle but beautifully responsive on the gag.
 
Hmm think I'll need to borrow some, although he's lovely bitless in the school and out alone, it's just for those exciteable moments in company I could do with something so he can't get his head down to buck.

From what I've gauged heavies go best in thin bits that they can't lean on, so waterford or have heard pelhams with leather curbs are good to, will only be temporary until he gets used to company, he's only been in ridden work for less than a year.
 
I'd def see if you can borrow a waterford, and maybe an english gag to stop the head descending- a pelham won't particularly help with that? I guess it is possible he might just be better with any bit or have you tried something simple?
 
ester he came with a full cheek snaffle single jointed, he wasn't strong or trying to lean on it as such just was always stretching his neck down and v on forehand but that's a green and training issue, so tried orbitless and he wasn't nose to ground nearly as much and rarely does it now. Tried snaffle last week just to see and was nose to ground, he has a huge dangling bottom lip and just thought bitless would be more comfy for his type.
 
A waterford is the only (except for a mullen mouth in which I have zero brakes) my ID cross is happy and stoppable in. Some see it as harsh but he really likes its flexibility and a quick pull on that is much better than hauling on something "kinder". I have a hanging cheek one and a 3 ring gag one which I use with two reins for very exciting stuff.
 
The more you research Waterfords the more you'll find two opinions: the first that its a good bit, the second that its the very worst you can ever use.

I HAVE tried it on my traddie, who can be strong - this was just the straight bog-standard Waterford - with cheek pieces.

Hmmm, he was OK'ish in it, and it did help with some of the issues i.e. steering & stopping!!! BUT TBH I found that it did nothing to help balance him or getting him on the bit.

THE best bit I've ever discovered for him is the French Link Rugby Pelham: you'll need to purchase another headpiece for this, and might need to get a professional to help you get the fit right, but basically its like riding in a double bridle but with only the one bit. You can ride with double reins, with is obviously best, or use a rounding which is what I tend to do coz I'm a numpty rider!

IME traddie cobs, purely because of their sheer bulk, do have issues with going into the bridle and giving a nice balanced ride - and this bit ticked all of the boxes. He goes nicely in it, and respects it, and it is possible to achieve really nice balance and outline.

Deffo worth a try. Might well be a solution for you OP??
 
Great, I have taken note to try this one, hopefully can borrow one.. I know a few riding instructors with various bits I can borrow. I am going to stick with the orbitless for the usual as he goes great in it and having the bonus of him being v green he hasn't 'learnt' his own strength, well he has his moments when he forgets himself briefly but I know these situations now and can work on getting him more relaxed. I mainly hack but have just started schooling a bit now, so the bit is just for those excitable occasions where he may try to get his head down and buck.
 
My TB ( ok so might not be helpful for your cob) has a tendency to lean and buck when we go jumping. I ride him in a NS waterford because he can't lean and get his head down like he can in a more conventional bit. There are so many bits and tack around for lowering head carriage but precious little for the reverse problem. The waterford is a bit too strong for him so I am very delicate with my hands but it does stop him leaning on me.
 
claracanter said:
My TB ( ok so might not be helpful for your cob) has a tendency to lean and buck when we go jumping. I ride him in a NS waterford because he can't lean and get his head down like he can in a more conventional bit. There are so many bits and tack around for lowering head carriage but precious little for the reverse problem. The waterford is a bit too strong for him so I am very delicate with my hands but it does stop him leaning on me.
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Thanks! Does this prevent the bucks or just minimises them? That really helps you saying that as my boy has a short neck and carries his head low anyway so sometimes I don't know if he's trying to get his head down to buck or just carrying himself that way, of course I know pretty quick when he tenses up but doesn't give me long to react, plus he's got narrow shoulders so doesn't feel like there's anything in front!
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
The more you research Waterfords the more you'll find two opinions: the first that its a good bit, the second that its the very worst you can ever use.

I HAVE tried it on my traddie, who can be strong - this was just the straight bog-standard Waterford - with cheek pieces.

Hmmm, he was OK'ish in it, and it did help with some of the issues i.e. steering & stopping!!! BUT TBH I found that it did nothing to help balance him or getting him on the bit.

THE best bit I've ever discovered for him is the French Link Rugby Pelham: you'll need to purchase another headpiece for this, and might need to get a professional to help you get the fit right, but basically its like riding in a double bridle but with only the one bit. You can ride with double reins, with is obviously best, or use a rounding which is what I tend to do coz I'm a numpty rider!

IME traddie cobs, purely because of their sheer bulk, do have issues with going into the bridle and giving a nice balanced ride - and this bit ticked all of the boxes. He goes nicely in it, and respects it, and it is possible to achieve really nice balance and outline.

Deffo worth a try. Might well be a solution for you OP??
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Fwiw I am not sure you will ever get a 'proper' contact in a waterford, hence not dressage legal ;). But I do think that they are useful for horses that like a more flexible mouthpiece and have their uses for those who like to grab and go. Frank goes ok in one but backs off it too much for a contact and I have been tempted to try it for hunting again one day but he does go ok in most things.

GG I think a bit of a trial and error of a couple of options will be the best plan.
 
I rode my chunky cob in a Waterford but she leant on it just as heavily as a French link snaffle. I then tried a universal gag; she hated the gag action and stuck her nose to her chest. We ended up in a Swales Pelham - she carries herself well in this, has stopped the leaning and I can ride with a really light contact. It really is a case of trial and error till you find the one that clicks!
 
Just wanted to update, luckily someone at yard had a hanging cheek waterford for me to try. Wow what a difference, lovely relaxed contact, not dragging himself along on forehand and even bounced over some trotting poles, where before he'd be tripping over them, and only needed to lightly squeeze reins, so pleased. I know it's a training issue also but it's just made it so much clearer to communicate and he is much happier.
 
GeorgeyGal said:
Just wanted to update, luckily someone at yard had a hanging cheek waterford for me to try. Wow what a difference, lovely relaxed contact, not dragging himself along on forehand and even bounced over some trotting poles, where before he'd be tripping over them, and only needed to lightly squeeze reins, so pleased. I know it's a training issue also but it's just made it so much clearer to communicate and he is much happier.
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How lovely to have an update - so often people ask for advice and then we never hear what ended up happening. Very glad the waterford worked for your boy - my Polish sporthorse gelding jumps in one (with fulmer cheekpieces) and it really helps to keep him "up" . . .

P
 
All bits are harsh if the riders hands are harsh....schooling a lot helps, and practising if you have the space, of reconstructing the 'exciting rides' whether it be with other horses galloping, jumping etc
 
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