What bit to use on a young horse?
Snaffles. Logically, a simple snaffle is the best choice. Leave any type of curb to more advanced training. The first choice will probably be a jointed snaffle bit with smallish rings that would be unlikely to catch on anything if the horse does try to rub its face.
What is the softest bit for a young horse?
Snaffles
The snaffle is generally considered one of the gentlest types of bits. Snaffles are often used on young horses and those in training. A snaffle is a direct pressure bit; it can have a broken or jointed mouthpiece, or a straight mouthpiece.
What are Waterford bits good for?
It is a flexible bit that moulds round the horse’s mouth, creating an even pressure. It is moveable in all directions and horses find it difficult to lean or take hold of it, giving the rider good levels of control.
What’s the best bit for a young green horse?
A mouthpiece around 16mm is a great place to start, and 14mm is the thinnest permitted for young horse dressage classes- and most trainers would not use anything thinner than this on a green horse.
How do you introduce a bit to a young horse?
Start working on the muzzle, lips and nostrils, gently massaging and rolling the loose skin and flesh between your fingers. Once she is happy to accept this, wet your hands, then try to rub gently around her upper and lower gums, progressing to rubbing along the bars.
How do you size a Waterford bit?
The waterford is normally selected one size larger than the horse’s usual bit size to allow freedom and correct fit of the bit in the horses mouth. The loose ring enhances the malleability of the waterford bit.
How do you make a horse’s mouth softer?
“Start off at a standstill, and pull out gently, not back, on one rein until the horse bends his neck around without pulling or bracing against the hand. Keep the hand pressure gentle but steady, and as soon as the horse gives to the pressure—even the tiniest little bit—reward him by releasing the rein.
Is Waterford bit harsh?
Any bit will become harsh if used by harsh hands, but special care should be taken with the Waterford to avoid its use by uneducated hands not because it is an inherently harsh bit, but because its construction has the potential to offer the horse no relief from pressure in the case of heavy hands.
What is a Waterford bit for horses?
The rounded chain link design of the Waterford prevents a horse from locking onto the bit and pulling against the rider’s hands. The flexible design also distributes the bit’s effect across the horse’s entire mouth, from lips to the entire tongue.
How many joints does a Waterford bit have?
About: This bit looks as if it’s constructed from over-sized, bubble-shaped links of chain. Rather than having just one or two joints, the mouthpiece of a Waterford bit has numerous joints.
What is a Waterford snaffle bit?
Waterford Snaffle: This bit looks as if it’s constructed from over-sized, bubble-shaped links of chain. Rather than having just one or two joints, the mouthpiece of a Waterford bit has numerous joints.
What is the best bit for leaning horses?
The Waterford mouthpiece has proved one of the most popular bits for bitting problems such as leaning, taking hold of the bit, setting the jaw ect, when the horse tries to lean or take hold of the bit, the waterford mouthpiece collapses, thus the horse has nothing rigid to take hold of.