wench
Well-Known Member
If used properly, ie no sawing at the mouth?
how severe are waterford snaffles
- Thread starter wench
- Start date
Ferdinase514
Well-Known Member
Not very
Morrigan_Lady
Well-Known Member
I didnt think they were very severe bits either
jumpthemoon
Well-Known Member
It depends on the horse, I think. Eg I've used one before in an ex-driving horse, big cobby mare who used to lean on my hands. She went beautifully in it. However, my WB has a really sensitive mouth and he hates anything more than a comfort snaffle type thing. If I used one on him, I'm sure he'd consider it harsh!
Any bit can be severe if used on the wrong horse/in the wrong hands - just make sure you listen to signals your horse is giving you when you try it
Any bit can be severe if used on the wrong horse/in the wrong hands - just make sure you listen to signals your horse is giving you when you try it
moneypit1
Well-Known Member
Although they look harsh they are in fact really nice bits. I am a bit of a fan but remember to get a size bigger as they are meant to fold around the corners of the mouth.
Morrigan_Lady
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Although they look harsh they are in fact really nice bits. I am a bit of a fan but remember to get a size bigger as they are meant to fold around the corners of the mouth.
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Oh, thats interesting about the sizing, I didnt know that! Does that apply if theyve got full cheaks on aswell?
Although they look harsh they are in fact really nice bits. I am a bit of a fan but remember to get a size bigger as they are meant to fold around the corners of the mouth.
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Oh, thats interesting about the sizing, I didnt know that! Does that apply if theyve got full cheaks on aswell?
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
I think they are quite harsh, IME.
And horses which lean/pull XC can go well in them initially, but can learn to curl or collect against the rider over time...which is harder to cure than pulling
S
And horses which lean/pull XC can go well in them initially, but can learn to curl or collect against the rider over time...which is harder to cure than pulling
S
MistletoeMegan
Well-Known Member
Not severe at all - no nutcracker action unlike 'nice' single-jointed snaffles.
vicm2509
Well-Known Member
I have never been able to understand how they can be severe. Well cernainly not as severe as people make out.
I would say, in the right hands not severe at all.
I would say, in the right hands not severe at all.
WishfulThinker
Well-Known Member
I fyou have harsh hands you would make the bit harsh. As I can assume that having the linked chain pulled onto the bars and corners of the mouth would be a bit painful. Or if the but was pulled through to one side. But it wouldnt go up like a snaffle.
mickey
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I think they are quite harsh, IME.
And horses which lean/pull XC can go well in them initially, but can learn to curl or collect against the rider over time...which is harder to cure than pulling
S
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That's interesting. I took my horse out of his plain bradoon snaffle as I want him to stop pulling my arms out! I figured I could go back to the plain snaffle in time. I found he went really well in the Waterford to begin with, much lighter in the hand. But now it seems not to be helping so much. IME I don't think it's particulary severe though.
I think they are quite harsh, IME.
And horses which lean/pull XC can go well in them initially, but can learn to curl or collect against the rider over time...which is harder to cure than pulling
S
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That's interesting. I took my horse out of his plain bradoon snaffle as I want him to stop pulling my arms out! I figured I could go back to the plain snaffle in time. I found he went really well in the Waterford to begin with, much lighter in the hand. But now it seems not to be helping so much. IME I don't think it's particulary severe though.
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
They can be severe in the same way that you'd rather have your foot stood on by someone in flat shoes, than a stiletto heel
The lumpy bits of the Waterford only contact a small percentage of the bars of the horse's mouth, the tongue, and the lips, in comparison to a smooth, single jointed snaffle. This therefore increases the pressure (or psi to be old fashioned) whenever the rider gives a rein aid.
S
The lumpy bits of the Waterford only contact a small percentage of the bars of the horse's mouth, the tongue, and the lips, in comparison to a smooth, single jointed snaffle. This therefore increases the pressure (or psi to be old fashioned) whenever the rider gives a rein aid.
S
1275gta
Well-Known Member
Only as severe as the hand holding the reins. I use one all the time on a horse that leans and he goes really well.
Halfpass
Well-Known Member
A bit is as severe as the hands on the ends of the reins. With a waterford if used incorrectly they can become quite uncomfy for the horse as can most bits.
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
Going with Shilasdair - the way the pressure is concentrated makes them pretty uncomfortable. They are designed to "back horses off" - which is part of the reason they aren't dressage legal - and the only way to do that, like it or not, is by discomfort. (A horse pulling because the bit is uncomfortable is a different scenario - then it should get better with a milder bit!)
A good "test" it to put the bit across the top of your foot, your kneecap, or the back of your hand and have someone pull it tight by the rings and keep it that way for a minute. Don't use a fleshy part of yourself as you want it to be like the bars of the horse's mouth. You might be surprised how "uncomfortable" many bits are with a bit of pressure on them . . .
A good "test" it to put the bit across the top of your foot, your kneecap, or the back of your hand and have someone pull it tight by the rings and keep it that way for a minute. Don't use a fleshy part of yourself as you want it to be like the bars of the horse's mouth. You might be surprised how "uncomfortable" many bits are with a bit of pressure on them . . .
Patches
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
They can be severe in the same way that you'd rather have your foot stood on by someone in flat shoes, than a stiletto heel
The lumpy bits of the Waterford only contact a small percentage of the bars of the horse's mouth, the tongue, and the lips, in comparison to a smooth, single jointed snaffle. This therefore increases the pressure (or psi to be old fashioned) whenever the rider gives a rein aid.
S
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But I'd rather see someone be able to pull up a horse with ease XC in a Waterford than see them hauling and sawing in a single jointed snaffle constantly.
It depends entirely on the horse and the rider. Any bit is harsh in the wrong hands.
I like them personally. When the horse isn't leaning they are very fluid in their mouth and alot of horses like to play with the links. If the horse suddenly gets strong and tries to set against it, you take a pull and the bit becomes like a straight bar in their mouth....but a straight bar that collapses if they try and take hold of it.
I ride Patches in the Neue Schule Universal Waterford XC when in company of other horses. All other times I ride her in a Neue Schule Verbindend (loose ring, french link type bit). I believe the waterford should be kept for times when you need more control and not all the time.
They can be severe in the same way that you'd rather have your foot stood on by someone in flat shoes, than a stiletto heel
The lumpy bits of the Waterford only contact a small percentage of the bars of the horse's mouth, the tongue, and the lips, in comparison to a smooth, single jointed snaffle. This therefore increases the pressure (or psi to be old fashioned) whenever the rider gives a rein aid.
S
[/ QUOTE ]
But I'd rather see someone be able to pull up a horse with ease XC in a Waterford than see them hauling and sawing in a single jointed snaffle constantly.
It depends entirely on the horse and the rider. Any bit is harsh in the wrong hands.
I like them personally. When the horse isn't leaning they are very fluid in their mouth and alot of horses like to play with the links. If the horse suddenly gets strong and tries to set against it, you take a pull and the bit becomes like a straight bar in their mouth....but a straight bar that collapses if they try and take hold of it.
I ride Patches in the Neue Schule Universal Waterford XC when in company of other horses. All other times I ride her in a Neue Schule Verbindend (loose ring, french link type bit). I believe the waterford should be kept for times when you need more control and not all the time.
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
[ QUOTE ]
But I'd rather see someone be able to pull up a horse with ease XC in a Waterford than see them hauling and sawing in a single jointed snaffle constantly.
It depends entirely on the horse and the rider. Any bit is harsh in the wrong hands.
I like them personally. When the horse isn't leaning they are very fluid in their mouth and alot of horses like to play with the links. If the horse suddenly gets strong and tries to set against it, you take a pull and the bit becomes like a straight bar in their mouth....but a straight bar that collapses if they try and take hold of it.
I ride Patches in the Neue Schule Universal Waterford XC when in company of other horses. All other times I ride her in a Neue Schule Verbindend (loose ring, french link type bit). I believe the waterford should be kept for times when you need more control and not all the time.
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Now, I didn't say you shouldn't use them...just that they are relatively severe in their pressure on certain points of the mouth....and they have the effect of making horses drop the contact.
I do not see at all how a Waterford becomes like a straight bar when pulled - the opposite being true as the bit will bend in the horse's mouth, and put a lot more pressure on the bars than a straight bar. I would think the only similarity would be that with straight bar and Waterford, you lose the individual directional rein effect to some degree.
We are however, agreed that it is probably best to use Waterfords as extra brakes for XC rather than everyday work.
S
But I'd rather see someone be able to pull up a horse with ease XC in a Waterford than see them hauling and sawing in a single jointed snaffle constantly.
It depends entirely on the horse and the rider. Any bit is harsh in the wrong hands.
I like them personally. When the horse isn't leaning they are very fluid in their mouth and alot of horses like to play with the links. If the horse suddenly gets strong and tries to set against it, you take a pull and the bit becomes like a straight bar in their mouth....but a straight bar that collapses if they try and take hold of it.
I ride Patches in the Neue Schule Universal Waterford XC when in company of other horses. All other times I ride her in a Neue Schule Verbindend (loose ring, french link type bit). I believe the waterford should be kept for times when you need more control and not all the time.
[/ QUOTE ]
Now, I didn't say you shouldn't use them...just that they are relatively severe in their pressure on certain points of the mouth....and they have the effect of making horses drop the contact.
I do not see at all how a Waterford becomes like a straight bar when pulled - the opposite being true as the bit will bend in the horse's mouth, and put a lot more pressure on the bars than a straight bar. I would think the only similarity would be that with straight bar and Waterford, you lose the individual directional rein effect to some degree.
We are however, agreed that it is probably best to use Waterfords as extra brakes for XC rather than everyday work.
S
jen1
Well-Known Member
Totally agree I use a french link NS on my cob for school work and a Waterford pelham for hacking or if he is getting a bit 'leany' on the bit. It was recommended it by instructor,