Filet Baucher Waterford

[Smartie Pants2]

Your opinions please, for a pony that rushes. She has a flash noseband and a martingale, is as good as gold but she rushes.

I am going to get her schooling in the half term and try to get some lessons now Fi is on the mend.

Any opinions greatfully received.:)

She is in a 4 ring dutch gag(not sure about it) and I really don't think she needs it. We need less attachments:eek:

[Mareish]

Just bought a NS baucher for Lily as I like the action, she did have a waterford at one point as she was grabbing the bit which did help but never tried the two together.

I hate the ringed gags full stop though so dont blame you for changing

[Joyscarer]

My first thoughts would be to work out why she rushes first before you go changing anything.

My girl did this as she was unbalanced in the school, she needed to go faster to balance herself.

Then that got better with work but found out the saddle was making her stiff so changed that.

Then she was so full of beans out hacking in a properly fitting saddle that she put her head down and wanted to go faster in a straight line when trotting and cantering.

The trot bit I could handle, the canter I lacked the confidence so I temporarilly popped her on a loose ring waterford to break the habit (because I'm not good enough to do it myself without help) and within a month she was back in the loose ring french link again.

[Smartie Pants2]

Thanks for replies I was reading up about them yesterday, I have a baucher which someone gave me a couple of months ago, I will try that then maybe go for a waterford/baucher, they are meant to be good for speedy ponies.

She has just had a new saddle, teeth checked and all was fine.

I shall investigate further:)

[Smartie Pants2]

Well we tried the Filet Baucher and Fi was much happier schooling, and went in a much better outline. I will carry on for now may be she won't need the waterford as well. Grace felt happier riding her too:) She hacks out fine, but G just needs a bit more confidence in canter so I may need to get the Waterford for hacking.

[chickyd444]

good news x its nice to hear a happy story :p

[freeformuk]

After personal experience, the waterford is not a bit I would hurry to recommend to anyone. I had a TB x Sec D mare which I competed endurance on. She loved the sport and was incredibly strong so after some advice from a bitting expert, I parted with £85.00 for my Baucher Cheeked Waterford and ended up wishing I'd listened to my own instincts. For the very first time ever I had absolutely no control and we both ended up down on the road. At that moment, I just put the experience down to Goldie and her enthusiasm but I soon realised that my lack of control was down to the bit and she had the bruised mouth to prove it. I am by no means a heavy handed rider and am more likely to be critised for not having enough contact but I found myself having to use stronger and stronger contact throughout the ride which really went against my better judgement. I was hoping this bit would allow me lighter contact in those excitable moments in competition but it had the complete opposite effect.

Goldie came to me in a thick eggbutt snaffle and drop noseband. I ditched the drop noseband (these are a pet hate of mine anyway) straightaway which was a big improvement but she was still not quiet in her mouth. After some study I realised the action of the snaffle was hitting her in the roof of the mouth and pinching her thick tongue every time I applied contact. After some trial, we went very happily for a long time in a mullen mouthed pelham but after the waterford, I went with my gut instinct and against convention and rode her in just a low/wide ported weymouth curb and that was the bit she was the happiest in to the point that she'd take it off my hand when tacking up.

Stronger is not always better and a bit like the waterford demands light and sensitive hands. I would thoroughly recommend you study the inside of your horse's mouth with your current bit set-up and find out if it's compatible. The fact that you need something to keep your horse's mouth shut tells me that she's not happy with her her bit and finding the right mouthpeice for your horse's mouth shape and sensitivity will do wonders for you both. The upshot for me is, the waterford is alright if you can ride constantly on a super light contact but for those moments when your horse gets a little heated and you increase the contact is when the bit might be a little too strong in its action and cause the very problem you are trying to avoid. HTH

[Smartie Pants2]

Thanks, I will investigate further but touch wood she seems to be ok in the Filet Baucher, althoug I must say I have have had some good reviews on the waterfords.:confused:

[Jobi-Wan Kenobi]

IME a waterford is not the best mouthpiece for a horse that pulls. Great for one that takes hold if the mouthpiece instead.

In the short term, until the schooling is sorted out I'd really be tempted to go for a straight bar, maybe with a port, and when the pony goes to take hold, don't keep that hold. Ponies sometimes love a fight and by hanging on that is exactly what you are giving. Try using a neckstrap to help keep the hands still, even GIVE the reins to the pony. After a few times round the school you may just see a very noticable difference!!