Waterford Bit?

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amzy

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I have an unschooled cob who tends to ignore the bit when he feels like it. I don't know if he sets his neck, has a tough mouth due to past riders, or grabs the bit in his teeth. He is like this with an eggburt snaffle and a french-link so I was wondering if a waterford may help. What do you think? Don't ask me to school him as I am not really experienced in this - I'm just a happy hacker
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He is 11 years old. It isn't stopping him so much that I'm worried about as he hates to canter much, it's mainly the steering. Thanks in advance.
 
if its the steering thats a problem why don't you try a full cheek snaffle rather than a stronger bit first, don't want to make his mouth sore!!
 
Forgot to say I have tried one with full cheeks and it's still hard work.... and I thought Waterfords were quite a mild bit, whereas it stops them grabbing hold of it.
 
I use a waterford on one who has a tendency to lean, but I think you need somebody on the ground to identify what the evasion/problem is..ideally an instructor who might have access to a number of bits to try. It would be well worth paying somebody to do this, and could save you a fortune in useless bits
 
I don't think a waterford would really help with your steering problems. My heavy cob is ridden and schooled in one as it stops her leaning and falling onto the forehand. Like yours, she doesn't need it for brakes.
However she does find it easy to turn her head and evade the bit when she's hacked out in the waterford - normally when she's napping in response to being asked to lead the ride. It's because it's so flexible that it just runs through her mouth if she decides set her neck - if that makes sense?

Have you thought about trying a 3-ring continental gag with him?

Any bit can be mild or severe - it all depends on the hands on the other end!
 
Depends what sort of waterford you go for some of them are much harsher than others, depending on how thin and how many sections they have. If your horses mouth is quite fleshy you'll have to be carful that its not pinching his tongue or lips.
 
A waterford can be very harsh and as you have only steering problems, I would look at re-enforcing my aids with spurs rather than changing the bit.
 
Yes, our trouble is mainly when he decides to nap. I suppose if I knew how he was evading then I would be in a better situation to know what to try. There are no instructors around here for miles too
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Does he put his head up or down, or to the side when he chooses to ignore the bit?

I'm afraid that without some schooling (even when you're out hacking) that there is only so much a change of bit can help you with.
 
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Yes, our trouble is mainly when he decides to nap. I suppose if I knew how he was evading then I would be in a better situation to know what to try. There are no instructors around here for miles too
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Where are you? somebody on here is bound to know an instructor somewhwere near you
 
Maybe I won't try this bit then as I didn't know they could be harsh or pinch. Will try and find an instructor somewhere and find out why he is such hard work to steer.
 
I use a waterford.

IMO it's a common misconception that they are a harsh bit. My horse loves hers. The horse cannot take hold of the bit as it collapses in their mouth. When fitted and used correctly a waterford lies curved in their mouth and is often thought of as an extension to the reins. Most horses tend to like them and I have found that my cob, who is very fleshy in the mouth (as yours might be) prefers the fluidity of the multi-joints. In an single jointed bit we've discovered it hits the roof of her mouth when the rein aids are brought into force - by force I mean used, not brute force. This makes her open her mouth, cross her jaw and all sorts to evade the action.

This tension and discomfort is lost with a waterford. She no longer leans either and I find I can ride her much quieter as I have no need to haul on her for brakes, steering etc.

I think the waterford is a brilliant bit. If doing faster work, the same theory still applies, your horse cannot get the bit between their teeth, so to speak, and take off with you. However, if you need stronger control, the bit does pull tight across the mouth in times of trouble when you ask with a sharper aid. Wouldn't think it was any harsher in those circumstances than any bit designed to give you control. It presses on the tongue and the corners of the mouth I think. You need a waterford 1/2" bigger than usual bit size as the sides of the bit should curl around the horse's lips.

You can get them in loose ring, eggbutt, dutch gag, pelham and an eggbutt with full cheeks (which will aid the steering).

The only problem with a waterford would come when someone was using it strongly all of the time. I've never felt that I need to hang on my reins ever when using one.
 
I only think they pinch if they are not fitted half an inch larger than the horse's usual bit size.

(except for a waterford pelham which should be bought the same size as usual)
 
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You are spot on. Waterfords are brilliant bits (imho), and it is well worth trying your horse in one.

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I agree completely, its worth a try you could always borrow one form a bit bank on trial.

Also pickle loves his, he likes fiddling with it and he is always foaming at the mouth in a waterford, but never a normal snaffle! Really helped me to get my steering better due to him no longer being able to lean on my hands to avoid going in the right direction
 
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