Do you think the waterford is a harsh bit???

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keekee

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I HAVE just ordered a waterford for my mare who isnt particulary strong but has been in a copper roller for ages so i tryed her back in her snaffle and she just lent on it and was more of a struggle to slow down.......i was recommended this bit as it is usefull for them to mouth and salivate from there for not much pressure needed to acheive a round outline is all of this right dont want to put somthing on her which iv got the wrong end of the stick about
 
To be honest, any bit can be harsh in the wrong hands! The way I understand it, the waterford stops the horse grabbing ahold of the bit too easily, or leaning on the person's hands.
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As it has many joints it is harder for them to lean on. Some say it is a harsh bit. I use a waterford gag on a pony just for jumping but my instructor says i am a polite rider so don't use it harshly (hope that makes sense).
I think alot depends on how the bit is used, how harsh a rider is with their hands.
 
Depends whose hands are on the reins! A's old pony was in a waterford for XC and SJ, and for them it was perfect- Ellie respected it, and Alice could enjoy the ride more rather than being tanked round the course. However, not many peiople were allowed to ride Ellie over jumps as she is very fussy and in the wrong hands the bit would have been way too much.

My horse is in a copper roller, I tried him in a waterford, and couldn't do anything with him, he was backing off the bit way too much and responding too much! Meant I rode pathetically in order not to freak him out about it, and resulted in a crap round XC.
 
I would say that a waterford is def not for a rider with busy hands or lacking an independent seat but ok for for a polite rider as an earlier poster put it.
 
As the others have said it depends on the hands.
I ride all 3 of mine horses in a waterford.
Inka (big draught x) wears a waterford snaffle just for hunting as she gets heavy and leans.
Hattie is ridden in a waterford snaffle all the time as she hates jointed bits so I can only use a waterford or a straight bar and she leans on a straight bar. She wears a waterford cheltenham gag hunting and I can literally ride her on the buckle in it.
Gypsy wears a waterford snaffle for fast hacks and xc away from home.
I wouldn't let just anyone ride my horses in them though, only those with quiet hands.
 
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crap for flatwork though obv!

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I use a waterford purely for jumping as it means I have steering, but also find I get a much more quality canter in it so was wondering why you say it's crap for flatwork? Not contradicting you as that has always been my opinion too (brakes only) but have found this interesting side effect with the improved canter, although I still school in a NS tranz snaffle.

IMO a waterford is not harsh when used appropriately. I really rate them and use a full cheek waterford to jump in as I actually have steering and a much improved canter. I don't use it for brakes.
 
crap for flatwork because the extra joints mean that it wobbles so you can't give an accurate signal to the horse with your hands. e.g. inside hand constant, outside hand squeezing and sending signals, works perfectly with single and double joint bits (1 side stays still, other moves on tongue). that's why the waterford isn't dr legal...
 
strictly speaking, the waterford is a mouthpiece so its strength depends on which bit it is attached to - see the variations with previous posters
eg waterford cheltenham gag
full cheek waterford (snaffle)

since you can get everything from loose ring waterfords through all the permutations of gags etc - I've even seen a waterford pelham - it's more what bit you use with a waterford mouthpiece as to how strong it is (also, as above, how it's used)
 
i recently changed trainers and he saggested a waterford snaffle for my mare
i wasnt to shore but i got one and she goes brillently in it
and shes very fussy in the mouth i can only ride her in a straight bar rubber snaffle but she really likes this bit
 
I swap Mick between an egbutt snaffle, waterford and copper roller depending what I am doing.

I jump and fastwork on the waterford as I have more control, and I hunt on a waterford gag as I don't have to touch the reins, Mick just resepects it and has a good day as Im not 'swinging on the reins' all day.

I think some people dislike waterfords but in my experience its because they don't understand them or know how to ride using one.

Don't worry about using it and you will get on fine - but keep swapping so he doesn't get used to it.
 
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