Watering Bit

[Andrew German]

Greetings:

I received my new halter from Nick Duvall, which is a thing of simple beauty. For the sake of curiosity, I toggled up my snaffle-style watering bit to it, and it fits wonderfully snug and secure (unlike with my previous halter).

Few of us seem to know our way around a watering bit, although ordnance reports show they were moderately common, even later in the war. I'd like confirmation of my impression that they were meant to be used double-bitted, in classical bit and bradoon fashion. So the curb bit would be put on and taken off, but the watering bit would be left on, in effect as part of the halter.

Has anyone seen instructions for the use of a watering bit? Has anyone whose horse has issues with a curb bit tried riding with just the snaffle watering bit?

Just another bit of period technology we may need to remaster.
Andrew German

[Outrider]

Re: Watering Bit

Andrew,
I am sorry to say that I do not have an answer for you on the watering bit but I can say that I have been wondering the same thing for years. Somehow ,I have always been under the impression that you rode to water in just the halter/watering bit but I don't even know why I think that. LOL. I am glad you asked so I dont feel so bad about not knowing the answer all these years. Surely one of these scholarly types has an answer for us.
As I recall a fellow Critter from the old days rode his gi-normous mule in just a Fed watering bit but that doesn't mean a thing except that he was nuts. :tounge_sm
I would love to see that fed halter by Nick. He did a civilian pattern one for me a while back that is also a thing of beauty in the eye of THIS beholder.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Watering Bit

Long, long ago, I had a horse that wasn't really used to a curb bit, so to keep things simple and not have to train him for a new bit as well as everything else, I rode him in a watering bit. It was no different than the modern English snaffle he was used to. I always felt like it wasn't really a historically-supported thing to do and in the period, he would have had to just get used to a curb bit immediately or else, but as far as it working, no problem.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[1st Maine Trooper]

Re: Watering Bit

A good question for sure and one which I don't have an answer for either. The fact that the watering bit reins are different in length and width certainly plays into the picture as well, I'm just not sure how. Neither have I seen any photographical evidence of the use of a `59 bit and the watering bit together. I can see advantages and disadvantages to both though. Good question Andy.
Dave

[Andrew German]

Re: Watering Bit

Thanks Dave,

It is one of those bits of gear that is not well documented in practice, at least as far as I've seen. There is an image in the 1st Maine regimental, opposite p. 531, showing James Coakley of Co. E astride his horse, holding the watering bit reins while the curb reins are on the horse's neck. I'd estimate the photo was taken in the spring of 1863.

This link may work:
/Users/andrewgerman/Pictures/1 ME Cav photos/1ME,Coakleyca'63.jpg

Andrew German

[Outrider]

Re: Watering Bit

For my part, I can certainly see that riding in one would be no different than any other simple ring snaffle which, I have to believe, was common practice then, as now, at least in the civie world, but what I dont understand is what the point in it is. I mean, I have never known a horse that couldn't drink water just as easily while wearing a curb bit as a snaffle, so it seems like a lot of bother for no real advantage to me.
I must be missing something but then that is not unsuaul.

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Watering Bit

Thanks Dave,

It is one of those bits of gear that is not well documented in practice, at least as far as I've seen.

Andrew German

PM inbound with primary period documents on use of watering bridle (as I have seen it refered to more in period text than as a "watering bit")

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[Mark Choate]

Re: Watering Bit

Hi Paddy,

Most military bits and many civy bits, have high ports and with the case of some I have seen for really unruly horses, the port is ridiculously high. This impedes the horse from being as efficient when it comes to drawing water up. I had a vet tell me once that it would be like me or you trying to use a straw with a mouth full of marbles.

Come to think of it, I think that is national pasttime down there in Georgia, is it not, ha.

Andy, Good question.

thx,
Mark

[Kieran725]

Re: Watering Bit

Your question is a good one.

I am a member of the Houshold Cavalry in London. All our horses are ridden with a double bridle during ceremonial parades (That was also the case for war fighting in the distant past).
when we are out on a watering orderin the morning we use only the snaffle bit.

I am not sure if this will be of any help to you. I dont knw how closely the US Cav Riding style mirrors the British Military style.

When we have finished for the day the bits are removed but the the Head kit can be left on as a head coller. It is not fair on the horse to keep even just the snaffle bit in. It can cause problems for eating and drinking.