Just seen this on Ebay

OP - I have no experience with this type of bit but it sounds horrific. If people think it is cruel, why not try to report it to ebay so they remove it?
 
Lollii said:
Waterford Mouthpiece - Copied from the Horse Bit Shop *Bit Experts*

The Waterford mouthpiece has proved one of the most popular bits for bitting problems such as leaning, taking hold of the bit, setting the jaw ect, when the horse tries to lean or take hold of the bit, the waterford mouthpiece collapses, thus the horse has nothing rigid to take hold of.

It encourages the horse to work of their quarters and carry themselves rather than using the bit as a ‘bike handle’ to lean on. This bit has several joints and distributes the pressure of the mouthpiece over both the tongue and bars.

:):) Also this bit may look severe, this is quite a mild bit and due to the mobility of the mouthpiece it generally suits any breed of horse and mouth confirmation. :):)

The Waterford mouth should be worn ¼” - ½” longer than any other mouthpiece as the mouthpiece needs to curl slightly around the lips to enable the bit to work to its full potential (except the Waterford Pelham – as the mouthpiece is worn the normal length).
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Yes there are loads of people that insist this bit is mild, however, I am loath to trust any source that cannot spell 'conformation'. Try putting the bit around your shin bone and get someone to pull and turn the bit. It hurts! The horses mouth is far more sensitive than that. The above extract does not explain why the bit is mild. How can any bit that has very small pressure points be mild? It is like the difference between being trodden on by a flat heel and a stiletto.
 
billy2 said:
Enlarging the pic shows the label to read 'Draft Mule', so probably not English and for pack mules?
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Louby said:
Says its a Weaver leather Bicycle mule bit!!! Dont know where the leather is?
I was looking worldwide for a leather bit and that came up!
And one has been sold, poor mule!
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A draft mule is a huge animal produced from a draft horse so they are big, some even reach 17hh +! They are used for riding as well as pulling carts etc, so like a shire with long ears!

Weaver Leather is a US company and out there anything can go, here's a link to their bit catalogue which includes the Mule Bit and other horrors!!!, There is even a bit education video!!! Though I must say there are some nice mild comfortable bits on there too.

http://www.ridethebrand.com/downloads/product-catalog/bits.pdf
 
Most bits (excluding god awful things like the one pictured!!) are only as mild or severe as the hands holding them, I wonder how many riding school horses (not all riding schools are bad I know) have damaged nerves in their mouths from constant pressure on their 'mild' snaffles?
I get what your saying about the waterford - (i'm not quite sure where I stand on it though?) I just suspect that there are more horses out there being damaged by 'mild' bits incorrectly used that strong / severe bits being used with some sensitivity.
And as for the eejits that deliberately use strong bits with rough hands sadly we'll never get through to them and I imagine they do other unspeakable things too! :-(
 
a waterford, like most bits, is only as sharp as the hands using it. of course it must never be sawed with, but most horses back off it because it moves so much so they can't lean on it, and so the rider is able to use it very lightly.
the 'shin bone' test is the same if you do it with, say, an eggbutt snaffle - any pressure against the shinbone will hurt, the extra links just make for more movement, and less chance of the horse leaning.
the waterford is in no way comparable to the bit in the OP's post, which is horrific and would cut the bars and the tongue. despicable piece of torture equipment, whoever made that needs stringing up.
 
kerilli said:
a waterford, like most bits, is only as sharp as the hands using it. of course it must never be sawed with, but most horses back off it because it moves so much so they can't lean on it, and so the rider is able to use it very lightly.
the 'shin bone' test is the same if you do it with, say, an eggbutt snaffle - any pressure against the shinbone will hurt, the extra links just make for more movement, and less chance of the horse leaning.
the waterford is in no way comparable to the bit in the OP's post, which is horrific and would cut the bars and the tongue. despicable piece of torture equipment, whoever made that needs stringing up.
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That is what I was trying to say .... you said it better than me - thank you! :)
 
Wagtail said:
It's just a more severe version of the waterford which is almost as bad.
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WTF???? Please explain how a waterford is severe? yes it can be in the wrong hands, as can any other bit. The waterford is a very handy bit and the links are not at all sharp or harsh they`re rounded :rolleyes: Yes if your stupid enough to saw with it your going to do some damage but I`m guessing the majority of people wouldnt saw anyway. One of my horses will only go well in a waterford, any other bit and she is a total horror!

I`m guessing you think a snaffle is a really mild bit :rolleyes:
 
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