waterford bits

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crazycoloured

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I have a 8yr old mare I currently ride her in a hanging cheek French link but she has a tendancy to open her mouth and play with the bit a lot whilst im riding her she also tries to stick her tounge out...I was wondering if a Waterford would be better for her? ps,she is a cob..
 
Personally I hate Waterford bits. They create a number of high pressure points which must be painful for the horse. In particular, some waterfords can trap the delicate bars of the mouth between bobbles. The amount of pain this must cause is unthinkable. It is no wonder they are used in horses that like to lean on the bit.
 
I agree with Wagtail, they would be a bit best avoided for many reasons, if your horse is fussy it is likely to make matters worse as there is so much movement and uneven pressure, does the hanging cheek have a single or double link, is it too low in her mouth, have her teeth been done recently, lots of questions but changing the joint or adjusting up or down may be enough to help at this stage.
 
I'm sure they have their place, but not in any of my horse's mouths!
If it were my horse I would get teeth checked if not recently done, then try lowering the bit slightly, if no improvement I'd try raising it.
Otherwise I'd try a Mullen mouth bit, something with a low port and something with a lozenge, to see if she was more settled.
All horses are different and it can be trial and error finding something they are comfortable with!
 
Wagtail said:
Personally I hate Waterford bits. They create a number of high pressure points which must be painful for the horse. In particular, some waterfords can trap the delicate bars of the mouth between bobbles. The amount of pain this must cause is unthinkable. It is no wonder they are used in horses that like to lean on the bit.
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I agree with you. When my youngster came to me after buying her, she had so many sores in her poor little mouth and on her lips from the Waterford she was being ridden in. I think they are cruel.
 
I use a Waterford at times on two of my horses I don't think it sounds like one would help your horse .
Waterfords work best on horses that set themselves and lean on the bit and dislike poll pressure I think it would be about the worse choice from what you have posted .
If you try one be sure to use a niele schule one as they have a different attachment to the bit ring than the traditional Waterford and it makes them kinder .
I hate the thought of waterfords but it has to said that some horses really go well in them although I would never use one all the time on a horse .
 
I think they have their place. I used one for my mare for jumping and fast work. She was far happier in the than anything with poll pressure or a curb chain. Like any bit, it's the hands on the end of the reins that make a bit harsh. Fwiw I think the normal versions are less knobbly than the NS ones.
That said,it wouldn't be my go-to option for a horse who is fussy in the mouth or with a tongue problem.
 
I'm not a bit expert but my mare came with a mullen mouth Pelham, and would tank off with it! I literally had no brakes! she'd bit down on it because it was a nice straight bar, it was easy to do that!

anyway someone recommended that I tired her in a Waterford gag and she was amazing, she stopped when I asked her too! she stopped trying to bit down on it really quickly!

I wouldn't have been safe had I stayed with the Pelham, so I love my Waterford!
 
Black Beastie said:
Waterford bits are good reschooling bits for horses that lean or tank but I wouldnt use one long term
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I had my new horse in a egg butt French link when I got him. He was very heavy and on the forehand with no respect for bit, I put him in the Waterford to lighten him and while he was getting stronger and fitter to have a better self carriage. He's now back in a different bit. It served its purpose for schooling but I still use it for jumping and cross country.

As with anything in the wrong hands it can be dreadful. Just like whips, spurs or any other bit of kit.
 
iv been looking at the beris loose ring mullen snaffles that allow more room for the tounge.i thought about a loose ring as she wouldn't be able to get hold of the bit as easily and it prevents her from trying to get her tounge over the bit..
 
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