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Discussion on Leather covered bits
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 3, 2000 - 10:08 am:
Here's a new one. I was at a local horse show/fair and in one of the booths there was a gentleman selling bits which were basically a chain that he covered with a leather slip, stitched on. The bits were selling like hotcakes. They're primarily being used by h/j and apparently the horses love them as they conform to their mouths via saliva or something. I asked about control, and the "bit-maker" said the riders had great control with them. The bits sell for about $100. I am a bit freak, but decided not to order one on the spot, though I took his card. Has anyone else ever heard of such a thing?
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Posted on Monday, Sep 4, 2000 - 1:58 am:
I haven't ever heard of a leather covered bit. I wouldn't think they'd last very long--y'know what happens to dog chewies? I use rubber bits, though, and Happy Mouth bits, now & then. These don't last too long, either.
There is a bit called a waterfall (or Waterford) that is a series of little balls--looks like a chain that, although a snaffle, is reportedly very severe. It doesn't look severe, but is recommended as a bit that's useful in rank horses. Maybe someone else knows more.
But leather covers?
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Posted on Friday, Sep 8, 2000 - 6:45 am:
Hello, Eveo. It is a Waterford snaffle and it is a marvellous invention, reaffirming my wavering belief in man's capacity to invent tack which is both functional for the rider and educational for the horse, without being severe.
When you say that the bit is "reportedly very severe", please clarify the following:
Who did the reporting?
Why is it severe?
Severe in what way?
What on Earth is a "rank" horse? (Image of very strong-smelling horse is coming to mind, but I doubt that is what you meant)
I keep a Waterford amongst my tack at all times. It fits any mouth, does not have ANY kind of nutcracker action, encourages salivation in the most dry-mouthed of horses and has no curb / gag action. From where, pray tell, would its severity stem? From the hands of the user, perhaps, but if that is so, then any and every snaffle would be equally severe.
Leather? You have got to be joking?
Tracey
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Posted on Friday, Sep 8, 2000 - 11:20 am:
Hi Tracey--I was responding to Zoe's post re: the "leather covered bits." I can't imagine that either.
I saw the Waterford in a catalog, and to me, it looked like a very mild bit. In fact, I was wondering if my horse might prefer it to the double-jointed snaffle that she now carries.
At about the same time (six months ago?), there was a thread on another BB I visit regarding bits, that coincidentally talked about the Waterford. As I recall, the little balls are supposed to squash their tongues and bars and HURT. It was recommended for bolters and rough horses IF there was no other way to gain control. The people who responded may not have had a clue about this bit, but there were many of them, and they all said essentially the same thing. I think this was the USDF (United States Dressage Federation) Bulletin Board.
Now you have my curiosity about that bit going again. I'll ask some more places to see what the others say and report back to you.
"Rank" is a word to describe a horse that doesn't take any prisoners. It's a fairly common term here in the Southwest. It's probably a left-over from our cowboy heritage. As far as I know, they (the horses) didn't smell particularly awful.
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Posted on Friday, Sep 8, 2000 - 3:36 pm:
From my understanding, the horse can not grab hold of the Waterford like they can with a single or double jointed bit, too many pieces. So it is good for horses that like to grab onto or lean on the bit as there is nothing there to lean on. I tried one on my horse to jump, but I actually wanted a little more weight in my hands than I got with this bit.
Hope that helps.
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 9, 2000 - 2:57 am:
Waterford bits are popular with eventers. It is not a "severe" bit. As Kellie said above the horse cannot "grab" or "lean" on this bit.
Another bit I really liked, but have not seen lately is (what I call) the "Lifesaver" bit, this is a snaffle that has lifesaver shaped rollers along the length of the bit, same principle as the Waterford bit but with rollers instead.
I trail rode an unfamiliar horse a few years ago and he had one of these bits on, I had a wonderful ride on him and afterward my friend told me that he was a bolter and would grab the bit and take off....(ahh, innocence is bliss!) he did not even give me a clue as to this side of his nature. (and we did gallop xc).
IMO these are "kinder" bits than pelhams or gags, but any bit can be an instrument of torture in the wrong hands, even a rubber bit.
Just my .02 cents. 
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 9, 2000 - 11:47 am:
I did a little more research--checking through the archives of my favorite "general" horsey site. The consensus about this bit is that there isn't a consensus.
Those who like the bit say the same things you all are saying, and emphasize that the bit isn't severe (in the proper hands).
Those who dislike the bit ask "Why do you think the horse stays off the bit if it doesn't hurt?"
One mechanical explanation of "why" it's painful for the horse was that the balls don't set well on the horses' bars, and irritate the bars with the ball's movement.
There were lots of horror stories, including bloody mouths and broken jaws.
Those in favor of the bit emphasized that you must get a well-made Waterford--no sharp points, everything smooth. One person suggested a Dover brand that is made of copper as a good one to try.
I don't know. Educated hands seem to be the best safeguard with any bit. I don't let my students use any bit except a rubber "dog bone," and they have to ride with just the halter for many, many sessions before that (plus listen to my litany--"follow the horse's head with your hands, follow the horse's head with your hands, follow.......").
I don't envision getting a leather covered bit anytime soon, however.
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 9, 2000 - 3:23 pm:
I to have a Waterford. I believe any bit in the wrong hands will cause problems. I can't imagine the Waterford being singled out to cause "bloody mouths and broken jaws". I've seen MUCH more severe bits..including a bicycle chain and Western bits with those 6 inch shanks....ugh.
My dear horse Rampage is not really satisfied AND controllable with any bit other than the Waterford. I must admit when we did the jumpers I tried everthing including a gag. All of which had absloutely no affect on him. If I put too strong of a bit in his mouth, say a twisted snaffle he overflexes and heads for the hills. He's quite lovely, chin to his chest running off with me.
I show dressage in a rubber snaffle, while defying the odds of being runaway with.
But I do like the Waterford and can see it being very useful for horses with shallow palates and is does keep their attention when galloping along with the hunt.
When we are home I can go bareback in a halter and lead shank....but that's just easy hanging out time.
I think it would be nice if all horses, in all situations could go along in a rubber bit or halter and shank but I find that quite unrealistic.
Barbara
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Posted on Monday, Sep 11, 2000 - 2:53 am:
Hi, Eveo. You said:
>>there was a thread on another BB I visit regarding bits, that coincidentally talked about the Waterford. As I recall, the little balls are supposed to squash their tongues and bars and HURT. It was recommended for bolters and rough horses IF there was no other way to gain control. The people who responded may not have had a clue about this bit, but there were many of them, and they all said essentially the same thing. I think this was the USDF (United States Dressage Federation) Bulletin Board. >>
I don't think the balls "squash" the tongue and bars. This is a snaffle, remember? It is classified as a roller snaffle, and hence is illegal for dressage, but the bit offers more play than most snaffles, and is therefore a good bit to use on a horse who has a hard mouth. You also have more indepencence of rein action.
As I said : any bit in bad hands is severe. I think that the Waterford is a better alternative to a curb or gag. I always prefer to change over, as soon as possible, to a French snaffle or similar, but if necessary, choose the Waterford if I need more control (for jumping / XC)
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