Waterford bit?

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Troyseph

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Hi all.
At the mo my boy is in a French link snaffle. He is ok at walk obviously but any faster nd he takes hold of the bit and leans on it really severely, he is also extremely strong and very hard to stop.!

I am either contemplating a dr cook style bridle or someone today at my local tack shop recommended a Waterford bit? Never seen one before nd it looks awful on google images :-/... But apparently isn't severe unless the rider is severe etc.

Has anyone used one/ uses one. Advice would be very gratefully received, and apparently you order one size up from normal so he's a 5.5 normally so I'd have to go for a 6?!... As can't find a 53/4 anywhere?
 
Hi,
IMO waterford is actually a lot kinder as if you rolla a waterford across your arm your skin does not get pinched as it would with some other bits.
I ride my horsein a waterford gag and the waterford stops the horse from being able to take hold of the bit and run off! My horse used to bolt but not anymore:)
 
I use the loose ring waterford on my horse who was terrible for leaning and grabbing hold of the bit in his teeth. He goes beautifully in it and actually seems to prefer it to any other bit he's had. I love them and its a shame they aren't Dressage legal.
 
I rode my previous horse in a waterford snaffle - someone told me it was like a snaffle with ABS braking! I found it really suited Jake as it stopped him leaning on the bit - I think it is kinder to use a bit such as a waterford than pulling like mad on a normal snaffle.
 
As I've been ill recently I've put a waterford on my horse as I have next to no strength.

In the wrong hands it is horrible for the horse but in quiet hands is a very useful bit for horses that lean or take hold of the bit. I have noticed my lad and a couple of horses I've seen in it try to tuck BTV in it but not a huge issue to stop them.
 
another vote for the waterford bit, my boy used to spin and canter home but with the waterford i could stop him and turn him around and now he doesnt do this anymore, he also leans on your hands and this has helped, with a french link i would have to use quite firm pressure to get him to even halt, but with the waterford i have managed to refine it to just a gentle squeeze and i can tell he is a lot happier in his mouth now
 
Daughter uses waterford gag on her very strong, very leany cob. Only uses it for SJ & xc, found that a loose ring with lozenge does for dressage (although still always gets marked down for him leaning on bit lol!!) She did have a problem with 1 link nipping the corner of his lips, so we bitwrap that section now with no problems xx
 
I seem to remember that (think it was ages ago but something might be in the archives??) someone somewhere did some research on bits and the waterford came out as not being as "severe" as many people think.

It looks awful, granted, but for some horses, particularly those that lean on the bit and clamp their mouths around it, its a good solution.

It worked on my traddie cob; I keep it in reserve for special occasions and he goes well in it but if he feels a bit cheeky it will keep him in check a bit.

My trainer says that a bit is only as strong as the hands behind it anyway ...........
 
Oh really? I've read the same thing on about 7 different sites!! Humm! I would ask my tack shop but they r only local and v small! :/
 
my boy is in a hanging cheek, normally a 5 inch but had to get 5.5 inch.. you need half a size bigger... he only has this has he has a fat gob..lol.. reared in everything else, this is the only bit he likes...
 
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