***Waterford

[medbourneprince]

What do you guys think to them? I'm thinking of trying one for hacking, maybe a 3 ring one and my boy takes old while going fast, wonder if this would help??? anyone used it to correct this?

[teach1]

I use a waterford for hacking on my boy, he gets very rude in company and tends to snatch and grab hold of the snaffle, he hates any poll pressure so the waterford is perfect and he can't grab it, but is very comfortable in it!

[mogadoga]

I know a few people on here would scream no. But my horse actually loves his waterford. But i know a horse that hates them!

Its worth a try. :D

[joey_olop]

I tried one on my mare that takes a strong hold of the bit-she hated it & I think it made her mouth sore where she was still trying to grab it! We had a fulmer waterford.

She goes much better in a pelham, but no good for you if your horse hates poll action. Id give it a try, you can always try different bits see what he is happy in :)

[Kis Vihar]

In my own experience with my big cob mare, she HATED the Waterford snaffle I tried. My friend said I should persevere, but she wasn't the one on top of the horse, who was protesting in every way she knew how! Not saying it doesn't work for some horses, my mare was a nightmare to bit - very strong and very fussy in her mouth - she's now settled and working in a 'happy mouth' straight snaffle!

The only way to know is to try! :) Good luck.

[Joyscarer]

I had one on Joy briefly when she would take hold of the bit and lean then tank off in canter. We solved the problem within 3 weeks and then I swapped back to my french link again :)

I don't see them as being a long term bit.

[Chukka]

I tried every type of bit on my clydesdale and the one we came back to was the waterford as was strong but safe in this bit and it seemed to shape to his mouth more than the other bits due to the links in it.

[XdenbyX]

My horse has a 3 ring waterford for hacking out. In a snaffle he would go fast with his head in the air and NOTHING i could do would stop him and i pulled so much he got a sore mouth :o

Now in his waterford he knows he cant get away with anything so is a good boy although he tends to prance and shake his head abit in it. He does really salivate though and i am much more gentle on his mouth because a tiny tweak on the reins brings him back to me. It could work on your horse it could not- you just have to try.:)

Good Luck ;)

[Joyscarer]

My horse has a 3 ring waterford for hacking out. In a snaffle he would go fast with his head in the air and NOTHING i could do would stop him and i pulled so much he got a sore mouth :o

I am of the school of thought that I would rather have a stronger bit and be gentler than have a snaffle and abuse their mouth because the horse will put up with this and in fact take no notice.

[XdenbyX]

Thats what i was fed up with.:( I felt so mean pulling all the time when he got strong and as he has a pink mouth it used to get really sore and i felt guilty. :( Like i said, we are both so much happier because i can be gentle. A 'gentle' bit in the wrong hands can do more than a 'harsher' one in the right hands.

[chev]

The Waterford has the potential to be a really nasty bit. It takes very little effort on the part of teh rrider to hurt the mouth. Some horses do go well in them, and for lots it is a great remedial bit, but it's almost impossible to take up a steady contact in one and lots of horses back off the bit in one.

I use them as remedial bits, to remind a horse that's strong or has tendencies to take off that it's a bad idea.

Worth a try but bear in mind a bit with that mouthpiece and 3 rings is going to be potentially a seriously nasty piece of kit.

[Chukka]

Worth a try but bear in mind a bit with that mouthpiece and 3 rings is going to be potentially a seriously nasty piece of kit.


Fair enough but as does every bit. The snaffle being one of the nastiest especially the very thin ones, now they do have a lot to answer for.

[chev]

Fair enough but as does every bit.

Some more than others though.

[Gurnosstud]

I used a loose ring with great effect on my stallion. He is very strong and can hold onto a a single jointed eggbutt. I then moved him onto a neue schule tranz lozenge.

I have to say I am not a fan of the 3 ring gags, although I have used them, only is I thought it was absolutly neccessary.

Its also worth remembering that the 3 ring gag is designed to be used with 2 reins, as are all gags, as they are very strong bits.