Bit advice...waterford?

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Apalacia01

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Hi!

So...got pony back from loan home, where she had been in a hanging cheek and gag. So....being silly I went 'ooh, Ill reschool her in a loose ring french link'. So....she is leaning totally on it. No steering, willl not even think about going in an outline, just tossing her head about.

So...tomorrow I will put her back in the hanging cheek, which I know is better, but she still leans it it. So....what about a waterford hanging cheek? I want to get her off of my hands, but will that mean I won't be able to get her working as apparently it makes them put their head up (whilst the hanging cheek has poll action which will help put head down).

Anyway, need to do something as shoulders are killing me. She was getting really irritated with me, as we were just leaning against one another, and even trying to do half halts etc just made no difference.

So...something that will make her lighter and also has some poll pressure? It isn't really a problem with brakes - she goes up and down a bit more, and whilst hacking I don't mind, its just when I am trying to get some sort of proper work. I have tried doing transitions etc, but not really helping, just tanking.
 
I put my cob i n a hanging cheek waterford because he leans and it has really helped. The only thing I found was that it needs to be bigger than normal snaffle and I also use bit rings to stop it sliding across his mouth.

Good luck
 
A loose ring waterford would certainly address the leaning. I would be hesitant to use a bit and associated poll pressure to 'lower the head', tending to take the view that the head will sort itself out to an extent when the horse is working properly from behind and over the bit. Try not to carry the horse but ask the horse to find the contact.
 
Have ordered it from bitbank, so can try it for a month and then see what I think, think that is the safest option. I am just a bit confused as one is meant to lower head carriage, (hanging cheek) whilst waterford is meant to 'lighten' and bring head up...very confuzzling!

We will see what happens - at least I have only spent 3 quid incase she hates it!
 
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A waterford certainly helps me when cantering in company, stops him leaning.

Not sure about schooling in one, would they be able to get a contact in a waterford?

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I guess that depends on how you define 'contact'. Certainly a horse can form a nice outline in a waterford and work correctly, but the 'feel' would be a little different, and lighter - which, from my point of view, is a good thing. The great thing is that they seem to retain this lesson, even when changed to a different bit, so that the waterford can then come into play for faster work, but they stay light for schooling in a snaffle
 
We are quite basic in our schooling (only just started regular lessons) and he does still lean (though not as bad) in our lessons in a snaffle. We haven't quite got the contact sorted out but getting there
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Will try the waterford on a lesson and then maybe see if we can 'transfer' it back to the snaffle.

Thanks for advice
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TBH if this was me then I wouldn't rush to change the bit after one bad day. But then I had been riding my mare in a happy mouth straight bar - and that was the only bit I had ever ridden in for everything. Sometimes even after regular schooling work she would still have an off day, which would leave me thinking "what am I doing wrong", but the next day would be better.
I'd give the french link another go before changing bits.
 
She has always been like it in it, I was just kidding myself that she could go in it, she hasn't been good in it at all, and today really almost culmintated in the most almighty fight.

Will try waterford hanging cheek and see what happens...:-)
 
i had a pony who leaned constantly on my arms and had me in pain!! and a waterford was fabby the full cheek gave me the steering that i needed and the waterford bit stopped her from grabbing onto the bit. I have used it for schooling and at pony club without any difficulties. always good 2 try the least strong bit you can find though.
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hope u get on ok
 
being the negative one here, do not expect too mch from a bit. The waterford can be good but, in some cases like mine, horses can and do still lean on it.

DOnt use it as a only solution.
 
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