Waterford bits

[Firefly9410]

The Waterford usually has five nobbles. Each one produces a concentrated area of pressure which can bruise the tongue and trap the thin delicate bars of the mouth. For those who say that it is only as severe as the hands that hold the reins, that is true to a certain extent, but only if you never, ever lose balance or move your hands, or the horse shies, runs out at the jump, bucks, rears, or makes any unexpected movement. If this NEVER happens to you then maybe, just maybe you will not hurt your horse's mouth with this bit.

Thanks for posting this. I see these bits recommended all the time and what you posted above is exactly what bothers me especially the bit about the bars. I would have less of a prblem if the bit was smooth for a couple of inches beside the ring with the nobbles in the middle but I hate the thought of those nobbles on the bars. I think of waterfords as being in the same category as twisted snaffles for severity.

 

[Cragrat]

When you wrap a waterford around the delicate inner wrist and pull, I don't find it uncomfortable at all. I also use the NS one with the lip shelf ( no bobbles next to the bit ring).
My warmblood with a thick fleshy tongue and lips seems to like the way it wraps around her mouth. She is controllable xc /SJ without having to take a strong pull.

She is in a double jointed snaffle for non jumping work, but my son just found her too strong jumping. We tried a kimblewick, a Dutch gag with a double joint, a universal with a double joint, but she was clearly happiest in the waterford. She clearly found the gag / universal very uncomfortable.

I really don't think waterfords are that harsh, if they suit your horse.

 

[Tnavas]

He went well in a pelham for a while (although still pulled quite a lot and i alwayts felt he could still GO in it if he wanted to) until the curb chain started rubbing him really badly. We changed the curb chain for a leather one, added a gel guard but once it rubbed once he had a weakness and it kept happening which then made the head tossing worse. The point here is that I know when he's uncomfortable as he tosses his head really badly. He really tells me if he doesn't like a bit.

How were you securing the curb chain? The correct way is to bring the chain through the rings rather than behind them.

When fitted immediately behind the rings they pinch the lips each time the reins are used as the corners of the mouth are trapped between the mouthpiece and chain. It also allows the chain to ride up the jaw bone which is extremely sensitive, skin is extremely thin where it covers the lower jaw bone.

When fitted through the rings the chain sits lower and doesn't trap the corners of the mouth.

This shows the correct way to fit the curb chain

Also important is fitting the bit at the right height - snug into the corners of the mouth with no wrinkles and tensioning the curb chain to only come into action when the shank of the bit is at 45º. A lip strap is also useful to keep the chain down in the chin groove. Rememberto give the chain an extra half turn once flat and putting the bottom of the link onto the hook

 

[DonskiWA]

I was in exactly the same boat as you ie. horse burrowing down on Xc. I was recommended the Waterford but it just looks so bloody harsh. So I've opted for the Goldenwings gag bit instead. So far, so good

 

[DonskiWA]

Grr, not sure why that picture isn't posting?

 

[Wagtail]

I was in exactly the same boat as you ie. horse burrowing down on Xc. I was recommended the Waterford but it just looks so bloody harsh. So I've opted for the Goldenwings gag bit instead. So far, so good

You need to delete everything that comes before and after the img square brackets.

 

[Goldenstar]

Thanks for posting this. I see these bits recommended all the time and what you posted above is exactly what bothers me especially the bit about the bars. I would have less of a prblem if the bit was smooth for a couple of inches beside the ring with the nobbles in the middle but I hate the thought of those nobbles on the bars. I think of waterfords as being in the same category as twisted snaffles for severity.

The Neule schule waterfords are smooth at the rings they are what I prefer if I need to use a Waterford .

 

[windand rain]

my small mouthed fat tongued highland are happiest in a waterford as it wraps round the tongue Neither one likes single joint or french link style bits will try the NS one as it sounds like the best option

 

[zandp]

I used a Waterford snaffle on my ID/Conn mare who used to lean on her bit and tank off. I found I was riding with much better contact as was worried it was severe and because I was lighter she leant less, the one time she did try to tank off by leaning on the bit and taking over I stopped her easily. It worked very well for us, used it for months, hacking and jumping and she didn't have any sores on her mouth after.