Waterford bit

domsmith

domsmith

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Hi, been speaking to Neue Schule today regarding a different bit. they have recommended trying a waterford.

i have never seen anything like it when i look at a picture. she told me i need light hands and it will stop him from pulling the reins out of my hands.

reading some of the posts on here when i search for waterfords i think i am a little scared of this bit! being rounded "beads" linked together it looked quite soft to me. but from what neue schule was saying this could be harsh, could it?

what is the action that makes it harsh?
what is my hoys reaction going to be?

he currently rides in a universal verbindend, with 2 reins. use the bottom rein in canter/gallop. he is strong and has a habbit of dropping his head and pulling on the bit.

any thoughts appreciated.
 
I'm not bit expect but my mare has a Waterford dutch gag I don't ride her anymore, as she's retired but I always had it with bit roundings on the top and bottom rings! before hand she was in a mullen mouth Pelham, which like your boy, she used to bit down on and put her head down so no matter what I did I couldn't stop her!

I was so scared the first time I tried the Waterford, I felt like I had no control, her head felt really light but after our first canter I didn't have to pull hardly at all and she came back into trot straight away! before I would just be holding on until she decided to stop!!

so for me, its a life saver!
 
I'm interested to see what others think of this too.My daughter has a connie who is currently in a hanging cheek french link,but loves to jump and just goes flat out over jumps with no brakes and does the same cantering in company.Our instructor recommended a waterford for jumping and fast work/exciting situations as she explained that he won't be able to grab hold of it,put his head down and go.I've never had any of our ponies in anything other than a snaffle so know nothing about harsher bits,but think we might give it a try.
 
My horse loves his, pity they aren't dressage legal. He used to bear down on my hands so it was recommended by my Trainer. We have never looked back, we hack out, school and jump in it. I love them!
 
I recently changed my boy to a full cheek waterford from a full cheek copper roller snaffle, and I love it.

He used to lean like crazy on the rollerball, and when hunting I had absolutely no breaks as he would put his head down and just bolt off - I couldn't move his head at all. Changed to the waterford, and its like a miracle! No more leaning, he feels so light in my hands now. Cantering on hacks has been a much more pleasant experience as his head isn't going down and he's not trying to race his field mates all the time. Taking him hunting in it on Saturday - so will update again and tell you if I had enough brakes to jump!!

As for the reaction; he held his head very high the first time I tried it, I hacked him with a loose rein and then picked it up the contact and pushed him into it gradually as we went round. He was fine, no adverse reaction at all. He plays with it a lot, but generally goes much better in it.
 
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I have one of mine in a waterford he too was strong and got hold of his bit but since he has been in the waterford he has been alot softer in the contact and relaxes his jaw a lot better, as for the harshness any bit can be harsh in heavy hands
 
my ish mare is ridden in a NS universal with Waterford mouthpiece.... I love it for fast work and jumping as it stops her just setting herself and tanking off but not too strong for her to back off when jumping !
 
I tried one on my mare at the recommendation of our local saddler. My mare is light mouthed, but went through a phase of leaning on my hands. The saddler said that it was a lot milder than people thought, and I am a very light handed rider generally, so gave it a go. My mare REALLY didn't take to it at all - I found it very harsh - and that was within half an hour's schooling session where I barely put pressure on the reins at all.

I think it is a bit which would have suited my old pony though - who had a pretty 'tough mouth' and was a bolter. I definately would not recommend this bit for any horse other than a very very strong horse or one that leans unbearably on the hands.
 
welshied said:
I have one of mine in a waterford he too was strong and got hold of his bit but since he has been in the waterford he has been alot softer in the contact and relaxes his jaw a lot better, as for the harshness any bit can be harsh in heavy hands
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Totally agree with this!!!
 
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