What do you think about a Tom Thumb bit? Was thinking about changing bits, any suggestions?

Question

Here is some more info. The bit in question is used on my 9 year old daughter's horse. She has never had any formal lessons, but she is starting them next week! Sometimes when the horse is trotting, she has trouble stopping her. We have had the horse for a year now, and sometimes she throws her head, and when she stops her, she will start backing up. I read the above articles, and one person said the bit could be confusing when stopping or backing up. We used an loose ring snaffle last night, she seemed to do okay with it, but my daughter definitely needs lessons. I have been riding for about 15 years, but I am not a great teacher.

Answer 1

Usually a person who has ridden long enough to acquire a good set of hands also has collected a number of GOOD bits, and wouldn't put one in their horse's mouth, and the novice rider REALLY shouldn't be trying to use them, they are mean and nasty and send confusing messages to your horse. I have YET to see a horse that someone was "attempting" to neck rein in one that had his nose anywhere except pointing out, away from the turn.

Answer 2

Well this is actually a very complex question. Some horses like the nutcraker affect, but very few. I have 22 horses and 2 of them prefer a simple snaffle, over a french link style.

If you put a french link or something with a port in these horses mouth, then they throw a hissy.

Everyone above me is right--they are harsh, because they have leverage and the nutcracker. But, if your horse likes the nutcracker, your dealing wih a fairly mild bit. Only the leverage factor really comes into play. If they don't like the nutcraker, then DON'T use a tom thumb.

I would suggest using a hackamore or a bosal. The horse has no pain, and is perfectly happy when they're going around good. Although when being naughty, its poll and nose preasure, instead of metal in their mouth. It's gentle when its gentle, but it gives you control when you need it.

Answer 3

You have got yourself a training problem; not a bit problem. Sometimes folks think that if their having a problem with a horse a different bit might help them to sort things out. But the bottom line is that there is nothing that you can put in horses mouth that will make them work properly. Sometimes switching to a different bit can bring about a temprorary response, but it will only be temporary since the actual problem that existed in the first place has not been taken care of. Hopefully the trainer that your daughter plans to take lessons from can help her sort this out with her horse.

With regard to the above answer...There is nothing wrong with starting a horse in the snaffle bit then moving into the bosal. According to vaquero tradition (where the bosal originated) horses were started in a snaffle, and moved into the hackamore (rawhide bosal with a macate) while their bridle teeth came in. Once the horse was working properly in the hackamore, he was put into the two-rein outfit and finally moved to straight up in the bridle.

Answer 4

Depends what you are talking about, I completely agree with first answer after clicking the links, but in Aus that isn't what we call a tom thumb bit. Tom thumb bit here is just like an fm snaffle except the bars on side of mouth are shorter. They are a very popular bit amongst young horses and stock horses. Not at all harsh, unless you have rough hands but a bit can't fix that, they are just like a snaffle but with added benefit of pulling the side of the face around to help guide the horse.

Answer 5

It is a very harsh bit!!There is often confusion surrounding the Tom Thumb bit. Often mistakenly called a "Tom Thumb snaffle" due to its broken mouthpiece, this device is a shorter shanked leverage bit. The combination of the broken mouthpiece and leveraged rein attachment can make the Tom Thumb a most severe bit. The broken bit and lever can squeeze the jaw like a nut cracker. Some horses have had their jaws broken as a result of heavy handed riders who didn't realize the power of the Tom Thumb. The tom-thumb bit comes with a range of built in bad-habit developers!!!! If you use, or are contemplating using this bit please read about it!!! It is a awful bit!! & For the chick who said it was a mild bit doesn't know what she is talking about or has not had time with the bit!!!! I would NEVER put that bit in any of my horses mouths!!! I can't believe that people think it is a mild bit!!!!! That is scarry!!! I just don't get how people can put a horse that needs to be trained in a tom thumb??? It gives mixed signals!! It puts pressure on a few mouth points!!!! So that confuses(sp?) the horse!!! People who are training should not be if they are useing that bit!!!! TOM THUMB IS NOT A TRAINING BIT!!!!!! I would never let someone train my horse with that bit!!! You should start with a Bosal!! & The person who starts with the snaffle then goes to the Bosal is doing it wrong, you ALWAYS start with the Bosal then the bit!!!

Answer 6

The Tom Thumb is one of the gentle bits. However, there are many different varieties, and this must be taken into consideration. Take into consideration the type of bit your horse is currently in? And why you want or need to change? Is your horse heavy and pulls? Is the bit harsh or old? Older bits can become cracked and chipped and can pinch when not in well working order.

I my self use a Tom Thumb for any new horses until I figure out what they require. It is an easy gong bit without the hassle of lip chains and curbs. It gives you a fell if you need to get a little stronger bit for the leaner's or a softer bit for the stronger mouthed horses (a softer bit increases saliva causing a softer mouth). Though it ultimately depends on the horses, its age, and what you use the horse for. The tom thumb is exactly like a Snaffle bit, same mouth piece, same join at ring, (2 different types - Loose and Jointed) The only difference is the Thumb part, which allows the bit to rest snug against the horses cheek/smile and stops the bit from sliding either way if you pull. Not that you should need to pull the bit like that, but it also stops the horse from opening its mouth in resistance to the bit and thus the bit sliding out the other side.

I would personally answer the above questions...age, reason etc. If your horse requires a different bit because he's harder in the mouth, (go for one of two bits) a softer bit, like a sweet Iron snaffle, Thick mouth piece, (the thicker the softer and more saliva) or a Spanish Kimblewick, these have a lip chain and work based on a lever action working from the poll rather than the mouth. My Appaloosa gelding was quite hard to pull up so I changed from a Tom Thumb to a Spanish Kimblewick and now he goes like a charm. If you need to get a different bit for showing regulations, inquire to the show secretary for rules and permitted bits.

Most of all, try to borrow a bit from a friend or horse trainer or your instructor. (Make sure it fits though) an ill fitting bit can be the cause of much discomfort and agitation, which may be a reason for the horse not responding to the Tom Thumb. By testing different bits, you can get a feel of what bit best suits your horse, without forking out $80 each time you need to change and swap bits. Also, when testing bits, always ride on a calm day, if the horse is a bit agitated don't bother, a change in bit will cause him to respond differently and you want him to be calm. Try the bit for about a week or two. One day on one day off for the first 4 to 5 days then each day. If the horse improves, you have a winner, if not, try another. The whole process may take a few months, but the actions of bits can help you decide on a suitable and unsuitable bit. Try the basic few, A snaffle (thicker) a Copper mouth or sweet iron (reletivaly thick), a D ring with holes (Spanish Kimblewick = S.K.) a Pelham (double reins can be swapped for a single rein and a joiner) this bit works similar to a S.K. but is a more forceful bit. By trying these basic bits, you can figure out what works, a lip chain or a particular joint.
Don't be afraid to ask, ask anyone, your riding instructor, the saddlery, a breeder or trainer, a friend. Just as long as they know what their talking about. :-)

I hope this helps, if you need more info you can contact me at [e-mail]

Answer 7

properly that's actual an excessively complicated question. some horses merely like the nutcraker have an effect on, notwithstanding merely some. I fairly have 22 horses and a couple of of them opt for a life like snaffle, over a french link style. in case you place a french link or something with a port in those horses mouth, then they throw a hissy. each and every person above me is right--they are harsh, on account that they've have been given leverage and the nutcracker. yet, if your horse likes the nutcracker, your dealing wih a fairly reasonable bit. merely the leverage element fairly comes into play. in the event that they don't merely like the nutcraker, then do not use a tom thumb. i could recommend utilising a hackamore or a bosal. the pony has no disease, and is totally happy on an identical time as they are going around properly. even however on an identical time as being naughty, its polland nostril preasure, on the different hand of metallic of their mouth. that's comfortable on an identical time as its comfortable, notwithstanding will provide you cope with on an identical time as you desire to have it.

Answer 8

The Tom Thumb is not a good bit, meaning it does & can confuse the horse. Morgans1Rule & Vosalloulou hit it on the nose!! I don't understand how people can train their horse in that bit....???!!!!!! That is one of the BIG misunderstandings of the bit, people think it is a good bit to put your young horse in. But if it is giving confusing ques you are confuseing the horse. Then the nut cracker effect is awful! I would never do that to my horse. A tom thumb IS NOT like a snaffle!!!! Snaffle bits DO NOT have shanks, so how can it be just like one?? Snaffle bits do not have a nut cracker effect!!!!!!!

Here are a few bits that are a good change.

I use this bit. It is a mild, easy to pack & good for training bit.

http://www.smithbrothers.com/black-training-bit/p/X3-013141/cn/35/

Here are some bits that are mild. & Work well.

http://www.smithbrothers.com/teardrop-bit-with-lifesaver-mouth/p/X3-01899/cn/35/

http://www.smithbrothers.com/hbt-sweet-iron-low-port-comfort-snaffle-mb04/p/X3-01523/cn/35/

http://www.smithbrothers.com/francois-gauthier-antique-low-port-futurity-bit/p/X3-01185/cn/35/

Answer 9

A tomb thumb bit is exactly what you should be using. An o-ring snaffle is a good bit but its more of a starter bit or one you would use on a younger non show horse or one below 5 years of age. Backing isn't necessarily a bad thing. First work on pull and release. Stick with a one word stop cue and a pull and release of the bit. For example say "Stop" then pull back on the reins until he stops moving in a forward motion and then place hands low in front of saddle releasing the pull of the bit. Each time he keeps going back don't reward push him forward and stop again each time he stops without backing up reward with a pat or rub on the neck and say "Good Boy". Once you have continued doing this over time he will stop on cue and the more you use your verbal cue(stop, whoa, etc. whichever word you choose use it every time and consistently) he will listen to it and know what it means without needing the pull and release.

Answer 10

Depends on what kind of riding you do, on your horse, and on you. Tom Thumb is a mild pelham, unless you can ride with double reins you might look at a converter strap. They can have a broken snaffle bar or a mild curb, rubber is the mildest. Also look at a kimberwicke (curb type) and even an elevator.
Anything with curb action works on the bars of the mouth instead of the lips, it tends to bring the head down but can be too harsh if your hands aren't perfectly steady. If possible try several kinds of bits, at least a week (4 riding sessions) for each before you commit.

Answer 11

I do not like them!! I do not use them!! They are a harsh bit. Any bit can be harsh, but they are a nasty bit!!The bit rotates, the nutcracker action of the broken mouthpiece acts on the tongue and bars of the mouth. Because of this "double whammy", the Tom Thumb snaffle, also known as a shanked snaffle or a broken leverage snaffle, can be a severe bit in uneducated hands.Here are a few sites you can read about them.


http://www.todayshorse.com/Articles/TroublewithTomThumb.htm


http://www.markrashid.com/trouble_with_tom_thumb.htm


http://www.cha-ahse.org/railarticles/tom.htm