Waterford bits

[Kentisheventer]

im not very knowledgable on bits and just wanted to know what these were used for and why they were useful? and thought a post on here might be worth a try.

thanks

 

[morgan4eva]

These are excellent for horses that hang on to the bit. The mouthpiece is very moveable and horses find it difficult to lean on it. I have used them on certain horses and they can have a magical effect!

 

[VioletStripe]

dont completely take my word for it, but i heard that they're also god for horses with fairly sensitive mouths that need to chew/mouth on the bit more. im not entirely sure though, but i have heard aswell that they're quite good for horses that lean on the bit

 

[gloster_image]

I wouldn't use it for horses with a sensitive mouth as it is a very harsh bit. Basically its almost made up of big ball bearings that are each individually moveable - so for a horse thats strong or leans it cannot easily take hold of the bit to take a hold or lean on your hands. However not in all cases - didnt work for me!

 

[VioletStripe]

sorry, Gloster-Image is probably right, ignore what i said, although a friend of mine put it on her Welsh sec. B/C thing, and he had a really sensitive mouth, she used a copper waterford full cheek piece, but she had very soft hands, and he needed chew on the bit more, and lift his head a tiny bit, but thats just one horse. sorry about my wrong message! :S

 

[flyingfeet]

I disagree - its not a 'harsh bit'

A harsh bit is something like a single joint snaffle that stabs the roof of the mouth, pinches the tongue and has leverage on the bars.

A waterford cannot pinch, does not touch the roof of the mouth and furthermore is moveable so actually allows a horse to swallow. If you put the bit across your arm, you'll realise it doesn't dig in and doesn't pinch.

Its all down to fear of the unknown and one thing is for sure, none of my horses will ever have a single jointed eggbutt in their mouth as I view them as worse than useless!

 

[Joules]

I use a waterford on my horse, he likes to go on a forward stride but anything like a snaffle and i can control him, tried putting a 'stonger' bit in and he just refuses to move literally LOL.. .so waterford seems to be the only bit that works.

 

[Befney3]

I agree with CotswoldSJ, I don't think it's a harsh bit.

My sensative TB jumps in a waterford snaffle & seems to like it. I had problems with him hanging on my hands & dragging me at jumps & the waterford stops this. I alternate between the waterford & a loose ring snaffle with a french link. I can't ride my boy in any bit with a single joint as he hates it.

 

[Peanot]

Hi,
Until very recently, I used a waterford on my horse, and it worked for about 4 months as she used to lean and be very strong before. I had a loose ring french link on her but she was leaning so I swapped to the waterford. A couple of weeks ago, I found that my horse was once again heavy in my hands and after having words with my flatwork and jump trianers, they both said that the waterford is brilliant for horses that lean but only as a temporary measure as they soon get used to the action and they then find it easy to lean on them as they work out how to grab hold of them.
They are not harsh bits tho in safe hands, and any bit can be harsh in the wrong hands, even a snaffle. I found I had brakes while jumping as I could hold her into a fence.
I have since gone back to a french link peham and this seems to be working at the moment. But I am waiting for a WH sprenger ultra to arrive which I ordered to try over 3 weeks ago.
The only way to go is to try one and see what you think. Ride in it for a couple of weeks though so as you get the benefit.
Hope this helps.

 

[Madam_max]

I agree Costworld. I jump and hack my mare in one and believe me she is a fussy girl. I actually think they are kinder than single jointed snaffles. Don't think they are harsh at all.

 

[wonkey_donkey]

Totally agree with C SJ not a harsh bit at all, I also stopped using single jointed bits many years ago as they are all just short of barbaric !!

It's a shame people don't understand the shape and 'make-up' of horses mouths

 

[Mickeymoo]

I also agree with CotswoldSJ, a waterford isn't a harsh bit. My horse has a sensitive mouth and he goes lovely in a waterford.

People have looked down on me for using a waterford, but when you ask them what they think a waterford does - they don't know..mmm..