Alternative to a waterford

[starrider]

Just as the title reads - what would everybody use as an alternative to waterford snaffle that isn't going to break the bank?

[hottoddy]

or myler?? Mine loves a plain happy mouth snaffle with a nugget in the middle!

[starrider]

Thanks to you both - yeah I have been told he leans on the bit and being a big 15.2 section D - and me only 5"2 and 71/2 stone we may have some issues lol. How much would you say they both retail at?

[ferret]

is there a reason you dont want to use a waterford ?

[starrider]

Well had a lesson with Sue Pimbley and she said he he needs to find a point of contact which he can't do in waterford - also want to do novice classes and a bit of dressage possible - and you are not allowed to use this bit in either.

[ferret]

if you use a novice snaffle , no one would know in your ridden novice classes as you would only see the rings ? Not sure of dressage rules ?

I use a waterford pelham on my conni and it is fab , he goes beautifully in it and def can get a contact ...it just stops him grabbing and leaning on the bit which he seems to do with everything else

[starrider]

Thanks for that ferret - a single jointed pelham has come with him for his M & M classes - unfortunately waterford is not dressage legal and I am probably being fussy but I can tell he has a waterford in - so wouldn't like to be in a class and the judge realise for any reason.

[ferret]

Mar 7, 2009 18:28:44 GMT starrider said:

Thanks for that ferret - a single jointed pelham has come with him for his M & M classes - unfortunately waterford is not dressage legal and I am probably being fussy but I can tell he has a waterford in - so wouldn't like to be in a class and the judge realise for any reason.

hmm its a difficult one , my conni doesnt like anything fixed on his tounge , so we really struggled until we found the Waterford , good luck !!

[hottoddy]

My horse liked waterford and loves his mylers, they are a bit like marmite I have one that loves it another that goes awful in it!! They dont come cheap unfortunetly best to try and borrow one first if you can. I have a couple of 5" for sale but dont think they will be right for you - I would suggest the basic comfort snaffle! Dont know some people swear by them others hate them!! If he leans I would also suggest riding him in a swales a couple of times at home. Im not a fan of over biting but the swales just really lifts them up at the front and usually a couple of goes in that is enough to show them a correct way of going!!

[quilmore]

I would suggest downgrading his bit to a cherry roller as this bit is similar but has more point of contact for you. however it is not dressage standard. but if he is in a waterford you may find you need to work down the bits not just jump to a milder one, stages would be better.

what noseband is he in? nosebands can help with leaning etc. when you say he leans does he try grabbing the bit too? if its just leaning making sure you keep him going forward with loads of leg so he has no time to lean on you may help.

jo

[starrider]

Thanks Jo

Don't actually know myself as not had him that long and he was sent with his waterford. Think I will try a copper roller first and see what happens - I agree with the stages though. ;D

He is ridden in a flat cavesson noseband.

[sarah00000]

I ride all mine in Pee Wee bit. It has the control of a double, but only a tiny thin straight bar in his mouth, which has copper inlay. It helps with lift and bending too. Even my kids can get their ponies working "on th e bit" and not bearing down, in the pee wee. Then they swop into a myler, again with a copper in-lay for dressage/show days. There is a 5.5 myler in the FOR SALE section I think...

[quilmore]

Well If I where you I would see what he does in the waterford before you change, ie take him out and canter in an open field, ride him in a school and make him work hard. if hes just leaning then defiantly change to a less severe bit and just ride him with a whip maybe to back your legs up if he gets lazy and starts to lean. also when he starts to lean it really shows hes abit on his forehand so getting him forward and light in the hand will will help. dropping the rein he leans on and retaking it will also put him off guard and make him think.

if he does open his mouth or try to lean and grab hold of the bit then it might be wise to put on a flash noseband, this will stop him opening his mouth and evading the bit, or try a grakle noseband which stops him opening his mouth and also crossing his jaw to grab the bit. though i think it depends on what he actually does.

let us know how he goes. i know a friend had a large hunter who came in a waterford, he used to lean and tend to bolt off. he worked with him and went down to a cherry roller and then down to a french link....i think he is in some type of snaffle now and goes lovely, he only bolted because of not trusting the rider. he does i think still hunt in a pelham though.

jo

[starrider]

Hiya

Thanks for that - as I said before not sure what he does as he came with his waterford and not tried him in anything but.

would love the opportunity to go galloping in an open field - but unfortunately there is no opportunity for that near me and I have no transport. Interesting to know that your friends hunter is now down to a snaffle - think I may follow that route.

Thanks for all the help - will let you know how I get on ;D

[hottoddy]

Yeah there is definatley hope!! I have a heavyweight hunter I bought from a friend and he had upside down neck and mouth like iron!! He now schools in a normal noseband and happy mouth snaffle. Have to have something stronger for the fun stuff though would be toast without it!!