how do you connect a tom thumb bit to a bridle. pictures would be helpful.?

Answer 1

First; a Tom Thumb is a very mild curb bit and usually has a 2 piece mouthpiece with swivel shanks. I've never seen a Tom Thumb any other way. When you hold the bit up the way it'll go into the horse's mouth, the long portion of the shanks should be hanging from the bottom of the bit below the mouthpiece. The shorter portion will be above the mouthpiece and will be the part(there will be rings for this on the top of this shorter portion) that the bridle's headstall will attach to. There should be slots attached to and below these rings. This will be where the chin strap( sometimes called a curb strap) will attach. If there aren't any slots, attach the chin strap below and in the same ring as the headstall. The reins are attached to the rings on the ends of the longer portion of the shanks that hangs below the bit.

When adjusting this bit to fit your horse, be sure that the chin strap is not too tight. A good way to check this is to pull back gently on the reins (while standing beside your horse on the ground)until the bit stops. The bit should be at a 90 degree right angle with the horse's mouth when it stops. If it isn't that far back, the chin strap is too tight...farther back than that, it's too loose.

Fractured; a strap used on a snaffle bit is to keep it from accidentally sliding through the horse's mouth and out of position. I've seen them used, but have never used one myself

Edit: what a copier below me!

Answer 2

First; a Tom Thumb is a very mild curb bit and usually has a 2 piece mouthpiece with swivel shanks. I've never seen a Tom Thumb any other way. When you hold the bit up the way it'll go into the horse's mouth, the long portion of the shanks should be hanging from the bottom of the bit below the mouthpiece. The shorter portion will be above the mouthpiece and will be the part(there will be rings for this on the top of this shorter portion) that the bridle's headstall will attach to. There should be slots attached to and below these rings. This will be where the chin strap( sometimes called a curb strap) will attach. If there aren't any slots, attach the chin strap below and in the same ring as the headstall. The reins are attached to the rings on the ends of the longer portion of the shanks that hangs below the bit.

When adjusting this bit to fit your horse, be sure that the chin strap is not too tight. A good way to check this is to pull back gently on the reins (while standing beside your horse on the ground)until the bit stops. The bit should be at a 90 degree right angle with the horse's mouth when it stops. If it isn't that far back, the chin strap is too tight...farther back than that, it's too loose.

Fractured; a strap used on a snaffle bit is to keep it from accidentally sliding through the horse's mouth and out of position. I've seen them used, but have never used one myself.

Answer 3

Tom Thumbs stink and are horribly confusing bits. I recommend using a loose ring snaffle or similar.

The link will take you to an article that explains why Tom Thumbs are very confusing bits for your horse. It's something to consider.
http://www.todayshorse.com/Articles/TroublewithTomThumb.htm

~Jenn

Answer 4

Ally's got it right. One more hint is that the shant and bit may both have very slight curves to them. The bit should curve with the tongue and own towards the lower jaw not up. If the sides have a curve the ends should be toward the body.