What would you use a Waterford snaffle for?

I used one at the suggestion of my Trainer for my horse who then used to grab the bit and lean on it. He actually loved the bit, went much better and it was a very useful tool. He was much lighter and it was a shame to have to change to be honest as they arent dressage legal.
 
I use one for hacking. My horse grabs the bit and legs it if he gets lit up. The Waterford enables me to get him back before he splats both of us
 
I have a tank.of a horse that is a saint but sometimes he just likes to grab hold and try and pee off especially if I'm with another horse.
Most of the time he is good if I give a bit of a reminder that it's not appreciated but I think he would benefit from one for a few rides an she swap back to his normal snaffle and just keep.it in the cupboard.

It also might help him stop leaning while schooling for a few sessions.

I used to do this with my old boy swap from snaffle to Dutch gag and back as he new the gag meant he was in trouble 😂 only took two rides to get back into the right way of thinking.
 
I have a similar (very loveable and charming) tank, he's currently in a universal gag, mostly on snaffle setting but with option to the up the ante if required- but it's always useful to see what other people are doing with their loveable tanks :)
 
To use a Waterford you need good hands - it is a strong bit with a sharp action - it hurts - which is why horses respond to it so well.

Consider its shape - balls and bars - the pressure is pin point as contact area is minimal - therefore pounds per square inch is high - compare to the effect of high heel shoes on linoleum flooring - heels make big dents as all the wearer's weight is over one tiny area.

Because of the bars between the balls the bit clunks over the bars of the mouth - the bars are only a couple of inches apart so your 5" bit can do a lot of clunking. The same applies to the corners of the mouth each time you ask to turn.

Be really sure you need it and that you have the hands to ride with it.
 
I use a Tom Thumb sweet iron Waterford on my little cob as he would bite, hold, fix his neck and go! Ive fitted it so it's longer than say a snaffle would be and it's lower in the mouth so it curves loosely over his tongue and bars. It only comes into action if needed and tbh I never have. He seems far more comfortable in this bit and certainly he seeks it out when I tack up, so I don't think for one minute that it hurts him and I wouldn't use it if I thought that it did. It's a Shires bit which is all round balls and no "sharp bits". It's also curves gently at the corners of his mouth. I've found it to be a nice bit for a fat lipped, fat tongued coblett and much better than hauling for dear life on a snaffle.
 
I use one on my TB that leaned and ran through the bridle. Still couldn't stop him out hacking so I only really use it for jumping him.

I prefer the Neue Schule ones because of the space of the lip. I think they should all come like that as its much nicer than regular ones!
 
Before you decide that no pain is involved - try this exercise,

You need a friend to help and your Waterford bit.

Spread your thumb and first finger apart and have your friend slide the Waterford back and forth across the piece of skin between your thumb and first finger.
 
Auslander said:
It is! Had a few Come to Jesus discussions with him about his behaviour and its potential effect on our mortality, before deciding that bitting the old git up was the smart option.
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^^^^ LOL Hee hee luvvit!! I've had a few prayer meetings with mines, like "oh Jeeezus" and "OMG oh no you Don't"......

Did try a Waterford, but found a better solution was a French Link Rugby snaffle on him; the extra headpiece you need and the extra ring, gave him just that little bit more movement in the mouth and the curb action helped to bring him back into the hand nicely and it was easier to achieve a good contact and more correct outline; whereas with the Waterford I didn't feel it achieved that same result as it felt like he was falling out in front more.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
^^^^ LOL Hee hee luvvit!! I've had a few prayer meetings with mines, like "oh Jeeezus" and "OMG oh no you Don't".......
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You'd think butter wouldn't melt, eh!

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They often suit horses with a large tongue and low palette. I have just sold a horse who refused to go in anything but a Waterford, he loved it. He wasn't strong, he just found the shape and pull of the Waterford suited him and he was relaxed and happy in his mouth. If they cause pain why would this be?
 
Used one on pony when used to put lean and run when jumping. Eventually changed to a McGuinness which worked much better.

I used a Waterford (always sided/full cheek) on both previous young horses when they were 5 and learning about xc, schooled them in it when xc/gallop a couple of times so they learned that they can't put head down, lean, pull and run into a fence. A couple of sessions was all it took; Billy has been in a snaffle ever since and I've never had any issues, he gallops into the hand/contact well and control is perfect balance between bravery/listening :p

I like the Waterford, it can be very useful and should always be considered as a first step up from a snaffle if needed. Usually it's not that a horse needs it's head yanked up with a leverage bit but rather it just needs to learn to not lean onto hands :)
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
^^^^ LOL Hee hee luvvit!! I've had a few prayer meetings with mines, like "oh Jeeezus" and "OMG oh no you Don't"......

Did try a Waterford, but found a better solution was a French Link Rugby snaffle on him; the extra headpiece you need and the extra ring, gave him just that little bit more movement in the mouth and the curb action helped to bring him back into the hand nicely and it was easier to achieve a good contact and more correct outline; whereas with the Waterford I didn't feel it achieved that same result as it felt like he was falling out in front more.
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He hates poll pressure and anything with a curb

He is generally lovely and soft in the hands, we don't like horses who lean, it's just sometimes in company I would like a bit more of a "no you don't" I tried the jefferies harmony bit and he hated that.
 
I use one on my young mare when we're outside the school (hacking, XC, etc) - she leans in anything else. However, in the school we stay dressage legal as we compete. She is very relaxed in both bits.

My established gelding wears the Waterford very rarely, once or twice a year out hunting or hunter trialing when he needs to be reminded that a half halt is serious business ... He certainly respects it and I only need it the once before he remembers his manners so I certainly in his case believe that it is "stronger" for him. (normally in Neue Schule verbindend)
 
Tnavas said:
Before you decide that no pain is involved - try this exercise,

You need a friend to help and your Waterford bit.

Spread your thumb and first finger apart and have your friend slide the Waterford back and forth across the piece of skin between your thumb and first finger.
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The exercise you suggest would be the equivalent of someone sawing back and forth with the reins, which I really hope people wouldn't be doing with any bit, unless in an emergency situation.
 
TGM said:
The exercise you suggest would be the equivalent of someone sawing back and forth with the reins, which I really hope people wouldn't be doing with any bit, unless in an emergency situation.
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Unfortunately that is what tends to happen - which is why I said in an earlier post that you need good hands to ride with a Waterford.
 
What you are all tending to forget is that we do not know the riding ability of the majority of people who post on this forum.

Being made aware of how painful the bit can be, before subjecting their unfortunate equine to its action is a sensible action to take.

It is a strong bit and in the wrong hands a severe bit. At the moment it is the 'In' bit to use, as the Dutch Gag was a few years back. For those that have the hands, balance, and knowledge use it well, sadly many don't and the poor horse suffers.
 
Tnavas said:
Unfortunately that is what tends to happen - which is why I said in an earlier post that you need good hands to ride with a Waterford.
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You didn't say that though, I'm sorry but you have upset me by inferring that anyone who uses a Waterford is hurting their horse.....end of. And that anyone includes me. You have got that very wrong. Myself and like an awful lot of sympathetic riders have very light hands and know how to ride. Then again I often see the snaffle mouth brigade hauling away at their horses mouths because they have no control!? But their horse is snaffle mouthed of course, anrt they and should be admired?!
 
I'd also like to add, that I for one have never understood this obsession with the snaffle? To me the single jointed bit that turns into a stabbing point of metal in an instant is not such a "kind" bit at all?
 
Elsbells said:
I'd also like to add, that I for one have never understood this obsession with the snaffle? To me the single jointed bit that turns into a stabbing point of metal in an instant is not such a "kind" bit at all?
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A snaffle is historically known as quite a strong bit because of its action.
Sensible horses yield to its action and have a comfortable life, those that don't end up uncomfortable and fight it, lean on it, open their moths, put their tongue over, wear grackles, flashes and cranks, then martingale are added.

All bits cause some form of discomfort, how much depends on the riders hands and the horses acceptance of the bit. It's why we take so much care and time mouthing young horses. I've never had problems with single jointed bits in over 50yrs, I have had problems with double jointed bits though.
 
I would try a Waterford for jumping hunting fast work with a horse that leans on the bit .
Some horses with difficult tongues love Waterfords in the loose ring version this is because they have lots of options to move the mouth piece .
In a fixed ring like the cheeked Waterford the lack of the ability of the mouthpiece to move on the ring of the bit makes it more severe .
It's not a bit I like but there's no doubt it's a bit many horses go well in them .
 
Slightlyconfused said:
He hates poll pressure and anything with a curb

He is generally lovely and soft in the hands, we don't like horses who lean, it's just sometimes in company I would like a bit more of a "no you don't" I tried the jefferies harmony bit and he hated that.
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Millie is one of those that doesn't appreciate curb or poll for anything other than dressage - she made that abundantly clear one day at BE :o

She gets on well with a waterford. Seems less appealing to just grab it and bog off, but she remains confident to the contact. Considering popping it back in for hacking at the moment as she's so cheerful and I can't hold her in her KK. For xc I paired it with a kineton noseband which tbh was the most effective bit of kit I ever used - stays there doing nothing right until you need it.
 
I use one in my Connie X for XC, fun rides, hunting & when I did a few team chases. He goes in a French link and plain cavesson for everything else, is well schooled & light. However when it's super exciting stuff he tends to get cocky & can be strong. To prevent us having arguments, I use a loose ring Waterford with bit guards & add a flash to my noseband. He doesn't love it but it does the job for the odd situation when it's needed. It's not a bit I would want to ride in daily but has its uses.
 
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