waterford?

dwi

dwi

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Sorry to start another bitting post so soon but having another train of thought. D is usually ridden in a jointed snaffle but want a 3 ring gag for hunting. Toying with the idea of a waterford mouthpiece but seems to be really conflicting advice on different sites, some say its a really strong bit, others saying that it isn't
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As a rule she is slow and steady and if she starts to go fast she'll stick her head up to evade which is why my RI has recommended a gag. I'm wodnering whether she would benefit from a waterford mouthpiece though... She has only run off with me twice in two years of daily hacking and on both occassions she stuck her head right down and leaned.

Its really confusing trying to think of a suitable bit when she is at risk of either sticking her head up in the air or burying it on her chest. Ideally I would take her to her first hunt with 3 or four in my pocket and get off it change it if necessary but somehow I just don't think that would be practical
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I don't want to overbit but neither do I want to hurt her lovely mouth by needing to take a strong pull
 
Not sure how a waterford is severe? Its seperate joints so that the horse cannot lean or grab the bit and run off. If she just sticks her head up to evade why not jsut have a standing martingale? Then you wouldnt have to change her bit at all.
 
I don't think it is except in the wrong hands and then any bit is severe. The more links a bit has the more gentle so as this has loads it is gentle but you have the extra control if you need it.

I thought Gag bits raised the head further?
 
Be careful with using Waterfords...I used to ride in them...they appear to work initially as they get a strong horse off your hands.
The trouble is, that the horse then collects against you...tucking its head behind the bit.
If there's one thing scarier than going fast with a horse that pulls like a train...its going fast on a horse where you can't find a contact.
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S
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i use a hanging cheek waterford, not had a problem so far in it
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I don't know how you ride in it...but if you can ride in a different bit normally and only use the Waterford very occasionally, it can work. Do you use yours all the time?
S
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You've hit the nail oh the head there S!
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My mare was terrifying in the waterford.
The first few times she went really nicely in it, then started to tuck her nose into the chin and piss off in a most unsporting fashion
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You've hit the nail oh the head there S!
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My mare was terrifying in the waterford.
The first few times she went really nicely in it, then started to tuck her nose into the chin and piss off in a most unsporting fashion
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I'm so glad it wasn't just my subtle sawing technique
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S
 
I use a waterford mouthpiece for schooling Chloe, but she gets hacked out in a 3 ring gag. The waterford are wonderful for horses which go on the forehand and lean on the riders hands for support, as the links stop them from leaning.
However the flexible mouthpiece also means it's very easy for the bit to slide through the mouth. Chloe has learned to move her head to the side and up to evade the waterford, which is no good whilst hacking as she just goes (not very far or fast, but still!).
In the gag she's unable to lean down, but the bit is more stable, so she's unable to set her head and go.

So in your case I'd probably stick to a normal snaffle mouth gag for hunting.
 
how about some along the lines of a pelham or kimblewick... i wouldnt fancy a horse with no contact flying down a hill! or have you tried your gag on a different setting?
 
Ditto I have found the Waterford great for my cob who can get very heavy in the hand and on his forehand, he is young so we are working on this, I can now ride with a very light contact and he seems to like to mouth the bit and at the end of schooling/lessons is foaming nicely. Haven't had the problem with him dropping the contact (yet) maybe he hasn't worked that one out! Use a Waterford pelham with 2 reins. Decided on this after trying quite a few bits and reading up on it and in consultation with my instructor.
 
nope i try to use it as softy as possible & only use it when he is being a tube & trying to bugger off
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is the general opinion then that it would be okay as a once a year hunting bit?

Sounds like a minefield, I might just stick to a single jointed gag and hope she doesn't lean. She's a wierd little creature.
 
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is the general opinion then that it would be okay as a once a year hunting bit?

Sounds like a minefield, I might just stick to a single jointed gag and hope she doesn't lean. She's a wierd little creature.

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You don't really know what bits work for your horse without trying them....
S
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Problem is she goes fine in anything in normal circumstances. I may have to persuade everyone on the yard with a rideable horse to come out on a hack with me so that we can have a big group gallop and see what happens
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I guess you're right I'll have to stop worrying, take an educated guess and see what happens. Just watch out for the post entitled "Last seen heading up the M1..."
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How about trying a bit bank? Not done that before myself maybe others have had experience of this? Could be a good way of trying out the bit?? Just a thought!
 
What noseband/bridle arrangement are you using with your current bit? Could you consider a change to a grackle or mexican noseband and see what effect that has before changing a bit that your horse appears to be comfortable with?

We have used a loose ring waterford with my horse who tended to be heavy at the front and use his weight against you, it was only on for a few weeks and did solve the problem, and he went back to a Myler snaffle (with a grackle for parties), so as an occasional change they can work.
 
noseband isn't something I had thought of changing. She's bitless in my sig so that might confuse you but she is normally ridden in a plain cavesson or not at all. She doesn't open her mouth, cross her jaw or do anything like that that would normally make me think of changing a noseband. Just sticks her head up in the air like a giraffe. (albeit a slightly frustrated giraffe since I put her in a running martingale)
 
she would really throw her toys out of the pram in a standing martingale, its not the mouth she doesn't like pressure on. She's a "free spirit" and doesn't particularly like being told what to do in any shape or form when something is first introduced. She's a real mare in that you need to suggest something rather than demand it. On the plus side she is really bold over natural obstacles and I think its the other side of the same coin. She's a very confident horse and very intelligent. Has advantages and disadvantages
 
I have always had pickle in a waterford without a problem, he doesnt lean and likes the bit he hates anything with a nutcracker kind of action and many other bits!
 
Am I the only one with a horse that manages to lean on a Waterford?? I brought a horse who was ridden in this bit, but after a couple of rides I couldn't bear him leaning into it, so I've taken him back to basics and am working on getting him soft, which seems to be working.
 
My daughters pony who is very forward going and will bugger off with you if she gets the chance, we went through lots of bits and found the waterford 3ring dutch gag to be her wonder bit for competing, so she doesnt get too used to it we do change her bits quite regularly, when she is being schooled she is ridden in her hanging cheek snaffle, and when hacking out she is in a pelham or tom thumb, by changing the bits around we find it stops her getting the upper hand.
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