Waterford bit

K

kelly_s1

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 April 2010
Messages
311
Location
berkshire
Visit site
Hi,

Is there a bit like a waterford but is dressage legal?

Why cant you use the waterford in dressage?

My horse grabs onto the bit, opens his mouth gets his head down and bucks but seems to go well in the waterford and doesnt do the whole bucking act.

Before anyone asks, he has had everything checked.

What do you suggest?

Thanks :D
 
It's a horrible and severe bit. The sensitive bars of the mouth get trapped between the nobbles so of course the horse doesn't lean on it. It hurts.

*Takes cover from the onslaught of pro waterford opinions*

OP did you know this was a 'fight' topic? ;)
 
Last edited:
OP, I could be waaaayyy of the mark but I believe they are not dressage legal as they are specifically designed to discourage the horse from taking a contact?

That said, I have known many a happy horse in one. I thouht that as long as they were worn 1/4 to 1/2 inch bigger the pinching issue was resolved?
 
ANY bit will cause pain in the wrong hands tho. I've read that waterfords are not that nasty tbh. In the right hands ;)

Agree with Vicki's post above, not a bit a horse would want to grab hold of, therefore combats the running off bit tween teeth routine.
 
shysmum said:
ANY bit will cause pain in the wrong hands tho. I've read that waterfords are not that nasty tbh. In the right hands ;)

Agree with Vicki's post above, not a bit a horse would want to grab hold of, therefore combats the running off bit tween teeth routine.
Click to expand...

Some worse than others. :)
 
My horse works very well in a waterford, never had a problem. I think a bit is as harsh as the hands using it, I have been told I have gentle hands ad ride quietly.

As far as I know it is not dressage legal which is why I only use mine for jumping and have a snaffle for dressage.
 
I am a very decent and sensative rider and I certainly wouldnt be looking to hurt my horse

At the end of the day everyone has there pet hates with regards to bits, tack etc

I was looking for a resolution and something kinder but something with play in it and dressage legal

P.S Only comment if you have advise and something nice to say!!!
 
I used to ride him in a loose ring french link sweet iron snafle, which used to be fine, but he is very fit and very cheeky.

He now just leans on that, pulls the reins out of my hands grabs onto the bit and bucks.

So, any suggestions on something with play but dressage legal?
 
Sorry, shouldn't have deleted. Like I suggested, Neue Schule Verbindend might be worth a try as certainly did make a difference to my boy. You can hire them from The Horse Bit Shop before buying if you're not sure!
 
I'm afraid that this is an open forum for horsey peeps, and the fact is that a Waterford bit is a real debate starter. Please don't take any offence, just part of life that peeps have different opinions, and no criticism of you :)
 
I use the loose ring Waterford for my horse and he goes very well in it. Had a habit of grabbing the bit he was in and hanging onto it as evidenced by his teeth when the Dentist came. Seems it was a habit he had got into before I owned him. My Instructor advised me to try him in one and he is a different horse. I hack him out in it too, did this first so he got used to it before using it in the school.

You could try a hanging cheek snaffle to see if that makes any difference, they work on the poll a little more than an ordinary snaffle.
 
My daughter always rode in a waterford but of course can't for dressage, after a lot of trial & error she now has him in a loose ring snaffle with a copper lozenge in it. He's going really well in it - he really hates a single joint & didn't get on with the French link either. The lozenge was a suggestion from someone on here as it happens!! Xx
 
Not dressage legal.

Waterfords can be a very useful bit but can be nasty in the wrong hands but even a snaffle can be horrible in the wrong hands.

Maybe try something with a lozenge? Not necessarily a NS but you can get lots of plain stainless steel bits with a lozenge.
 
I think waterfords are absolutely fine and have used them in several of my less-than-polite-to-ride horses :o I have found they work in a more relaxed outline and do not pull or snatch the bit. I think they are a good bit for schooling and no problem in the right hands.

Off the top of my head i cannot recommend a bit similar to a waterford for dressage. All i can suggest is what i used to do which is school in a waterford and then stick in a legal snaffle for the test and hope for the best.

I did this with a couple of my horses and got away with it before they realised and to be honest did also sneak a waterford into a few low level dressage tests undetected :o
 
Ooh dear, I'll be doubly hated then - I have my horse in a 3 ring gag with waterford mouthpiece!!!

Ok, so I wear the gag on the large ring for hacking and the middle for jumping/xc. He seems better in the waterford mouthpiece than he was in a single jointed (he would throw his head up with the nutcracker action). I don't think (from memory) he goes well in a double jointed and with a curb bit he tends to lean. I ride him in a hanging snaffle for dressage. That is just a single jointed and he seems ok in it if a little heavy at times but when he's working properly he's not so bad. I couldn't ride in it all the time though as although polite 99% of the time, when he gets strong he does get strong and I do not like having to haul on a horses mouth.
 
Try a copper roller snaffle something to play with and makes it harder for them to lean but still dressage legal :)

And dont worry, i asked about using a waterford or a pelham on here before and basically got a couple of pages telling me amateurs shouldnt play with bitting and numpties shouldnt ride in pelhams!!! No one knows how much or little experience (30 plus years) i have - i guess some people are just a bit more straight talking than others :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top