Horse reacted badly to waterford bit?

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Griggster1990

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Has anyone else's horse reacted badly to this type of mouth piece?

She normal wears a Dutch gag with single joint, but was recommended the loose ring Waterford as my horse takes a hold of the bit. Well she didn't like it one bit. My friends horse also had a reaction too it when she tried.

Has anyone else's horse reacted badly?

*I'll just add I have the dentist coming on the 9th April anyway and she wont be bitted again until has teeth have been checked*

Thanks
 
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My friend's mare that I ride has fairly recently changed to a waterford and she has gone from being very strong and sometimes difficult to turn to a real dream, so light and responsive, the change is amazing.
 
The waterford bit is a nasty piece of kit; I'm not surprised your horse didn't like it - but any bit is only as good as the hands on the other end of the rein.
 
She bolted with me.

She's been going great other than being a bit strong. Lunged her in it yesterday and she was OK. Lunged again today and then got on walked her around on a loose rein, took a gentle contact and she shot forward so my reaction was to pull back and she bolted with me. It was definitely fear or pain and not naughtiness.
 
Cortez said:
The waterford bit is a nasty piece of kit; I'm not surprised your horse didn't like it - but any bit is only as good as the hands on the other end of the rein.
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It's straight on ebay!

I am new to horse ownership so just did what I was recommended. I know it was partly my fault as I shouldn't have pulled but I learned the hard way by coming off at a full gallop (my first ever fall). Felt awful for my horse and took it straight off.
 
A lady on my yard. She used to be an instructor apparently but I dont know her well as shes not long been on the yard. Ive learned from my error so wont do it again. My instructor has gone to visit her family in New Zealand so has been/will be away for a a couple more weeks.

I dont need a lecture I know I did wrong.
 
Oh yikes. That couldn't have been fun. You have to be very giving with them. As Cortez says, can be very nasty.

Don't beat yourself up. We all make mistakes.

Terri
 
In your situation I'd get right back there at the next opportunity with your usual bit and put it back in her mouth, put her headcollar on over the top and lead her round for a while with a lead rope from the head collar and I'd watch to see that she was happy with the bit. Then I'd hop on and give her a relaxed time.

WHen your regular instructor comes back then, and only then, would I consider making any further changes.
 
jemima*askin said:
In your situation I'd get right back there at the next opportunity with your usual bit and put it back in her mouth, put her headcollar on over the top and lead her round for a while with a lead rope from the head collar and I'd watch to see that she was happy with the bit. Then I'd hop on and give her a relaxed time.

WHen your regular instructor comes back then, and only then, would I consider making any further changes.
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Thank you. That is exactly what I will do tomorrow. Thanks
 
My horse absolutely hated it with a real vengeance. I had no control in it- if I tried to take a half halt he virtually slammed the brakes on, and I had no steering at all. I only used it because I'd forgotten his normal jumping bit of a copper roller snaffle, and had SJ'd in his french link and he'd been a total tit and taken control completely. So was too scared to try him XC in that! Ultimately though, I'd have been safer in that than the waterford...

It was just way too much for him and he let me know big time.
 
In defence of the waterford some horses do really seem to like them and I don't think it was a ridiculous suggestion for something which can run through the bit, def one to be used with sensitivity though :). She'll probably have forgotten all about it tomorrow OP and be fine :) Do you use a curb strap with the gag?
 
All horses are different and it's shame you found out the hard way your horse din't like this bit!

Mine has a dutch gag - has for years - but only in the last couple of years (following comments on here on various threads) i tried the waterford version and he seems happier in that. I have tried many, many bits over the years and, although I can do a dressage test and school in what would be considered a milder bit (hanging snaffle)I come back to the gag/waterford for hacking/competing (changing rings where needed).

i have a bit of a neurotic pony too who i played around with bits on years back. The funniest was when i tried a rubber pelham with curb - I needed to steady him down jumping as it was either 100mph or not at all at the time (not my doing I may add!). I took him for a hack on the pelham, all seemed fine until we had a gallop. I went to apply the brakes, literally touched the reins and he stopped dead and I ended up on his neck! Turned out curb bits were NOT for him! I removed the curb and the bit, with that little bit of poll pressure worked fine.

You do have to play around with bits. Start 'soft' and work your way up if needs be. The funniest experience i had was with a straight bar happy mouth 'cartwheel' bit. I had no brakes at all, just steering. Very entertaining trying to jump my horse in our field - we did a fair few laps round the fences (although I was crying with laughter at the time!)
 
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