Waterford bits

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rebeccaxxbella

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Hiyya just wondering what people think of the Waterford bit i have a strong 5 yo Arab x she is really strong when jumping and hurts my arms really badly just wondering whether people think it would stop her pulling and going to fast? also about the sizing what sizing do you think i should get she is currently in a 4 and a half full cheek snaffle what size would i have to get for a Waterford?
thanks
 
You go up a 1/4" in a Waterford as its designed to wrap around the tongue. I'm not sure changing bits will solve your problem in the long term, it sounds like a schooling issue and at 5 I would be vary about putting her into a stronger bit.
 
Is there any other bits you would suggest i do pony club and i have lessons people have told me every time that she will never slow down any suggestions?
thanks for replying
 
Waterfords are good for horses that lean on the bit. - I would keep having lessons & get your instructor to help with schooling issues xxx
 
her schooling is as good as it can be for an arab young one it's just i am hoping to event her and i do not want to event if i have no control when jumping? just want a bit that will stop he going really fast into jumps and to stop her dragging me about! any suggestions
 
The waterford mouthpiece isn't particularly strong but depends what bit it is on- 3 ring, pelham, fulmer etc. I have found them to be really good to support schooling etc
 
Don't like Waterfords at all. At 5 my Welsh D was a tank and would literally bolt into fences. I refused to put him in any thing stronger. 6 months later he canters calmly round a course. Practice makes perfect (and transitions help the process along ;))
 
rebeccaxxbella said:
her schooling is as good as it can be for an arab young one it's just i am hoping to event her and i do not want to event if i have no control when jumping? just want a bit that will stop he going really fast into jumps and to stop her dragging me about! any suggestions
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Well, the schooling is very obviously not as good as it can be if she's tanking you around, is it? A bit will not solve the problem: proper training will.
 
I had an IDxTB that used to grab the bit and just take off - but only when jumping - was taken off with on XC course several times and when jumping he would get over the first jump and just go wherever he pleased. His flatwork however was faultless and he behaved impeccably. I put him in a Waterford for a few months and used it for jumping only - within that few months he stopped taking off and running away with me after jumps and I put him back in his snaffle and he never went back to being that way.

I would only recommend this bit as a schooling bit on a temporary basis - like any bit, its only as harsh as the riders hands make it.
 
^^^^ which Waterford did you use pelham, full cheek snaffle Waterford, snaffle etc i may just try one out! and i think i have confused a few people she doesn't tank off with me she just rushes her jumps and is strong!
 
When I bought my horse he was in a full cheek waterford for jumping as he would take the bit and jump wherever he felt (including on a few occasions, two strides away!) We have now changed him into a myler low port comfort snaffle pelham (for jumping). Anyway, I think they are alright for horses who have a tendency to lean on the bit but I don't really love them, depends on the horse

Any bit is harsh, a snaffle can be worse than a gag if in the wrong hands....
 
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Gosh, some people on here are very mean! Are some people suggesting that our top riders are not very good as they don't compete in snaffles? Work hard and find a bit that's right for both of you. i would much rather see a horse ridden nicely and sympatheticly in a bit it respects, than hauled around trying to make a snaffle work
 
jvm100 said:
Gosh, some people on here are very mean! Are some people suggesting that our top riders are not very good as they don't compete in snaffles? Work hard and find a bit that's right for both of you. i would much rather see a horse ridden nicely and sympatheticly in a bit it respects, than hauled around trying to make a snaffle work
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Agree - I was hauling my horse round in a snaffle probably doing more damage to his mouth in the process. I was uber careful while riding in the Waterford - my RI suggested it, and because she told me it was a strong bit I was worried I would hurt him but it allowed me to be softer with my hands and keep control at the same time.
 
rebeccaxxbella said:
her schooling is as good as it can be for an arab young one it's just i am hoping to event her and i do not want to event if i have no control when jumping? just want a bit that will stop he going really fast into jumps and to stop her dragging me about! any suggestions
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Obviously not....

I'd go back to a snaffle. Spend time trotting around, past jumps, through wings. lots of circles in a nice constant relaxed rhythm. When your horse is settle start working over poles, ensuring the rhythm stays. do't give her a long run up to it, turn quitely just before the pole. if she speeds up or takes a hold, circle away. she has to WAIT.

When she's working over courses and grids of poles, you can pop up little fences and do the same - circle round quietly, and when she's ready turn and pop over one.

Wouldn't keep upping the bit in a 5 year old. I know some horses do need stronger bits but not a 5 year old. You have to explore other avenues first. My opinion is if they can't school over poles in a snaffle then they aren't ready to jump.
 
Is she rushing because she's too keen or because she's worried? The symptoms can be exactly the same. Is she totally comfortable in teeth, back, and tack? Are you sure you aren't catching her in the mouth, making her anxious (easy to do if they're rushing). Does she respond well to you other aids - your weight, a supporting, gathering/rebalancing leg aid, etc? Tbh using a stronger bit once or twice to make her respect you is one thing, but having to put a 5 yr old in stronger and stronger bits (which it may come to if she keeps being rude when there's a fence in front of her) is a training issue, and totally different. As for
"i have lessons people have told me every time that she will never slow down any suggestions?"
Seriously? Then you definitely, 100% need a better calibre of instructor. She's 5 years old. Her breeding doesn't matter, her training now does. Find someone who can patiently work you both through various exercises on the flat, over poles, and over fences that will increase your joint confidence, your control, etc. A stronger bit is very unlikely to be the simple solution it appears to be...
 
kerilli said:
Is she rushing because she's too keen or because she's worried? The symptoms can be exactly the same. Is she totally comfortable in teeth, back, and tack? Are you sure you aren't catching her in the mouth, making her anxious (easy to do if they're rushing). Does she respond well to you other aids - your weight, a supporting, gathering/rebalancing leg aid, etc? Tbh using a stronger bit once or twice to make her respect you is one thing, but having to put a 5 yr old in stronger and stronger bits (which it may come to if she keeps being rude when there's a fence in front of her) is a training issue, and totally different. As for
"i have lessons people have told me every time that she will never slow down any suggestions?"
Seriously? Then you definitely, 100% need a better calibre of instructor. She's 5 years old. Her breeding doesn't matter, her training now does. Find someone who can patiently work you both through various exercises on the flat, over poles, and over fences that will increase your joint confidence, your control, etc. A stronger bit is very unlikely to be the simple solution it appears to be...
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Thank God, there are people who talk sense!!! OP you should listen to the wiser members of this forum, and use their advice to your, and your horses benefit.
 
My five year old started getting strong and excited when jumping and i found a waterford snaffle really helpful as she tends to stick her head in and lean on the bit. This is just right to give me a bit more control but does not over do it. Some people seem to think a waterford is a strong bit, but i really think in a snaffle version it is pretty mild. I can also tell from my horse that they don't find it strong either, they are just slighlty more respectful.

I also agree about some people on here just assuming the worst and are harsh! I totally agree that schooling is massively important and in an ideal world we all would like to use a snaffle, but sometimes horses just get over excited and they need to learn to listen. So you put a stronger bit in for a while and then once they've learnt, go back to a snaffle. It is much better to be able to give one little pull with a stronger bit than to be hauling on a snaffle because you can't stop!
 
kerilli said:
Is she rushing because she's too keen or because she's worried? The symptoms can be exactly the same. Is she totally comfortable in teeth, back, and tack? Are you sure you aren't catching her in the mouth, making her anxious (easy to do if they're rushing). Does she respond well to you other aids - your weight, a supporting, gathering/rebalancing leg aid, etc? Tbh using a stronger bit once or twice to make her respect you is one thing, but having to put a 5 yr old in stronger and stronger bits (which it may come to if she keeps being rude when there's a fence in front of her) is a training issue, and totally different. As for
"i have lessons people have told me every time that she will never slow down any suggestions?"
Seriously? Then you definitely, 100% need a better calibre of instructor. She's 5 years old. Her breeding doesn't matter, her training now does. Find someone who can patiently work you both through various exercises on the flat, over poles, and over fences that will increase your joint confidence, your control, etc. A stronger bit is very unlikely to be the simple solution it appears to be...
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agree 100% with everything here
 
What Kerilli said.
PF used to be a real rusher, but once I got her balanced she got lots better. She can still get a bit keen so I use an elevator bit meaning I can ride with a v light contact. Bitting is not all about stopping or steering; it's about FEELING as well.
 
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