waterford

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Honey Bee♥

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hey :) my mare is quite good in her 3/4 ring dutch gag (whitch ever way you look at it), and it is on the 3rd ring ( 1 below the big ring)but only out on a hack. when we are in the school, she gets strong in trot and canter, jumping ect. so i was thinking about changing into a gag with a waterford mouth piece. so.. Q1) should i try the 4 ring (or 3 if you dont count the cheek piece ring) or the 3 ring ( 2 ring if you dont couln the cheek piece)?
Q2) do you think this is a good idea?

sorry its so long :\ decisions are my weak point!
 
I have my mare in hanging cheek waterford for xc and sj and she loves it, and i do! do have her in gag (same as you but with waterford mouthpiece) for hunting. she loves to grap hold of bits.
Brilliant bit, would reccomend it highly! :)
 
Hi

In what way is your horse strong? If she leans on you then a waterford would probably be a good bit to try. A lot of people don't like them and think they are very severe but I have always found them to be very good bits on the right horse.

The problem with dutch gags is that they tend to make horses hollow. I would try either a hanging cheek waterford or if you think she will be too strong in that then a neule schule universal waterford (hope the link works).
http://www.worldwidetack.com/acatalog/info_ns8029u.html
 
The gag action of bits like dutch gags make horses lift their head (and hollow). They are good if the horse tends to dive forward onto the forehand. But I find that they don't really encourage the horse to work low and long and through it's back. Also when used with a single rein doens't give a very good contact, I don't think think they produce very clear signals.

They can be good bits for jumping but I don't like them for schooling. But I understand horses are individuals and your horse might really like that bit. I can only use my experience. Yes bits are expensive but just a waterford hanging cheek shouldn't be too much. Maybe you could borrow one to try before you buy one or even buy 2nd hand?
 
Hi Everyone,

Glad you posted about the waterford.....
I put one on my tb last night but it was slightly too big, the links were at corners of mouth and thought this would pinch. However, was also thinking even if it was half inch smaller, it would still pinch but on indside of mouth?? So opted out on using it......

Do they pinch?? Are they supposed t pinch between links?? My mare has very small mouth but also very sensitive. Can, however be little strong on gallop....Advice much appreciated!! :D
 
ThoroughbredStar said:
Hi Everyone,

Glad you posted about the waterford.....
I put one on my tb last night but it was slightly too big, the links were at corners of mouth and thought this would pinch. However, was also thinking even if it was half inch smaller, it would still pinch but on indside of mouth?? So opted out on using it......

Do they pinch?? Are they supposed t pinch between links?? My mare has very small mouth but also very sensitive. Can, however be little strong on gallop....Advice much appreciated!! :D
Click to expand...

Hi

I always go slightly larger when using a waterford and then fit it slightly higher. The only time I have had one pinch was when I bought a cheap one as a spare and I ended up putting bit guards on. It shouldn't pinch between the links, it shouldn't come into action until the horse trys to lean, take hold of the bit and become strong. Hope that helps!
 
Honey Bee♥;9035367 said:
hey :) my mare is quite good in her 3/4 ring dutch gag (whitch ever way you look at it), and it is on the 3rd ring ( 1 below the big ring)but only out on a hack. when we are in the school, she gets strong in trot and canter, jumping ect. so i was thinking about changing into a gag with a waterford mouth piece. so.. Q1) should i try the 4 ring (or 3 if you dont count the cheek piece ring) or the 3 ring ( 2 ring if you dont couln the cheek piece)?
Q2) do you think this is a good idea?

sorry its so long :\ decisions are my weak point!
Click to expand...


Hiya my boy is in a waterford gag and it work wonders i wouldnt put him in anything else when going xc or hacking on the moors :)
 
wispagold said:
Hi

I always go slightly larger when using a waterford and then fit it slightly higher. The only time I have had one pinch was when I bought a cheap one as a spare and I ended up putting bit guards on. It shouldn't pinch between the links, it shouldn't come into action until the horse trys to lean, take hold of the bit and become strong. Hope that helps!
Click to expand...

Thanks Wispa.....
However, like typical neurotic horse owner I research them on net yesterday. Couldnt find a pic of one fitted in a mouth but found some controversial opinions on them!!!!!!!!

Basically, my (previous) understanding of a waterford is that they are a very mild bit, and just prevent the horse leaning. Probably should've asked "how?" back then. I thought the links just rolled slightly so the horse can't grab it?? Reading more in depth info yesterday, some research suggests they are quite severe when come into contact. Also, if they are fitted bigger the links will meet the side of mouth??

Some of the info I have read suggests that an ordinary pelham would be kinder than a waterford. I was quite shocked as I was led to believe these bits were very very mild.

Anyone got any close up pics of them using them?? Thanks :D
 
ThoroughbredStar said:
Thanks Wispa.....
However, like typical neurotic horse owner I research them on net yesterday. Couldnt find a pic of one fitted in a mouth but found some controversial opinions on them!!!!!!!!

Basically, my (previous) understanding of a waterford is that they are a very mild bit, and just prevent the horse leaning. Probably should've asked "how?" back then. I thought the links just rolled slightly so the horse can't grab it?? Reading more in depth info yesterday, some research suggests they are quite severe when come into contact. Also, if they are fitted bigger the links will meet the side of mouth??

Some of the info I have read suggests that an ordinary pelham would be kinder than a waterford. I was quite shocked as I was led to believe these bits were very very mild.

Anyone got any close up pics of them using them?? Thanks :D
Click to expand...

Yeah if you read up on the internet you will get a lot of conflicting views. At lot of people are under the impression that the waterford is a very severe bit. However I have used it on horses with sensitive mouths and I think they are brilliant bits. I think the best thing to do to find out the action of the bit would be to ring a specialist. Every horse is different, if it suits your horse does it matter what people think of it? Every bit can be damaging in the wrong hands. Personally I don't see how you can compare it to a pelham as they have very different actions.

http://www.nsbits.com/Expert_Advice this is Nuele Schule's website I think they have an advice line you can ring, they should be able to tell you the action of the waterford.

Here are some photos of me riding one of my old horses in a waterford. I have never had the problem of the links reaching the side of his mouth when no pressure is being applied because of the way it sits in the mouth. He wasn't strong I used a loose ring french link at home and the waterford when out competing. Sorry if they are blurry but I have tried to zoom in.

Picture117-1.jpg


Picture115-1.jpg


sandyandrossettes-1.jpg


sandy2-1-1.jpg
 
so am i right in thinking that if your horse leans, and is strong, the waterford mouth piece is a good bit to try? my horse like previously said, is good out on a hack, but in the school she sticks her kneck you and i cannot bring her back to me. she also becomes quite strong for me in anything other that walk therefore i think im becoming quite harsh with my hands..
 
Honey Bee♥;9040735 said:
so am i right in thinking that if your horse leans, and is strong, the waterford mouth piece is a good bit to try? my horse like previously said, is good out on a hack, but in the school she sticks her kneck you and i cannot bring her back to me. she also becomes quite strong for me in anything other that walk therefore i think im becoming quite harsh with my hands..
Click to expand...

Yes it might be worth trying. That sounds to me like a schooling issue rather than a bitting one. If you think you are becoming harsh with your hands you might be better using a different bit for a short period of time so that you can use less contact. Work on your schooling issues with an instructor and then change back to a milder bit when she is going a bit better. If you just keep using stronger and stronger bits she will eventually just start to ignore them and you will have no where to go.

If your horse is leaning I would try lots of half halts and transitions.
 
Thanks wispa! That was really helpful, the pics have helped too!!! Just wanted to see how it sat at edge of mouth....was as thought :) And yes, you're right about the horse being happy and not caring about what people think!!!!

Think I will stick to what I know or feel comfortable with!!!! :D
 
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