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Could I use this in Barrel racing?

3K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  sierrams1123 
#1 ·
This is the type of bit I have my horse in now. He seems to not go agaist it and it seems to work fine. It is also the bit that really makes him stop, before I had him on a starting but( just an O ring snaffle) then I switched him to this one and he seems to do alot better. Is it okay to use or what ones seem to work better?
 

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#5 ·
umm could you post pictures of what they look like? I dont have the best internet connection so I dont want to google them right now. Thanks:) and I need like barrel racing bits. I thought maybe the one that I had him in was I good one but I guess now:shock:
 
#6 ·
If you search the threads on here about Tom Thumb bits you will see. Even though that one may be slightly better with the swept back cheeks but not much better. Just my opinion...there are people that like the bit, personally I do not.
 
#7 ·
I also would not use the bit you posted.

It is not a true Tom Thumb bit, but it is a close counterpart. The slight difference with your bit is that the shanks are slightly curved, whereas in a real Tom Thumb the shanks are straight.

This is the most recent discussion that I know of that goes into great depth about bits, including the Tom Thumb.
http://www.horseforum.com/western-riding/western-bits-heeeelp-108380/

It's a long read, and does include more links to other discussions in it. But I think it would be very worth your while.
 
#8 ·
If he works good in that, then go ahead and keep him in it if you want to. However I do not have a horse that likes that bit, it is poorly designed and pretty harsh.

If I had a colt going to be bitted up a bit more, I would put him in one of these bits:

This is a Billy Allen shank bit. The shanks are 8'' with a very nice barrel mouthpiece that doesn't pinch but its still broken in the middle so there's lift and the ability still for some flexion. It's a nice snaffle-to-leverage transition bit. My older barrel gelding really likes this bit, as does my little reining filly.



This next one nobody on this forum seems to like, but recently I had a lot of success with it on my own mare and a clients young horse who needed to go up. Still experimenting with it myself. It is a Sharon Camarillo Sweet Six bit, with the iron wrapped O ring mouthpiece. There's a slight gag and leverage but not a huge amount.



Now this is one I know a lot of people like. These are several forms of the Jr. Cowhorse bit.

The smooth:


Large Twist:



Copper Roller:




Twisted Dogbone:



Ported Roller:



Small Twist:




Chain Mouth:



^ Of these, I like the twisted dogbone and the copper roller best. It's a personal preference but I don't like single joints so much, althought a lot of other riders do and some hroses do work well off them. On the chain one, that is very hit and miss. Some horses absolutely adore chain mouthpieces, but the others hate them. I personally do not have a horse that likes one.

Those are just my personal opinion as to what I would do in this phase for a younger horses to get him into a competition bit.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Your tom thumb similar bit it not recommended for much of anything, I am not as much of a hater as some of the other people are on this forum, I just do not use and have not found any benefits from a tom thumb.

If your horse works well I would recommend using a bit like this (1st picture). Sorrel horse posted a picture of this bit as well but I would not use any of the other bits she posted, they are way too harsh if your horse works well off of a bit like the tom thumb that you are using now.

If you needed a little more, I do not think you will from the info you provided, I would try the 2nd bit next.
Both, like sorrelhorse said, are forms of the Jr Cow Horse bit.

Sorrelhorse: I do not believe the Ported Roller bit (324) that you have pictures is a form of the Jr Cow Horse.
 

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#12 ·
Your tom thumb similar bit it not recommended for much of anything, I am not as much of a hater as some of the other people are on this forum, I just do not use and have not found any benefits from a tom thumb.

If your horse works well I would recommend using a bit like this (1st picture). Sorrel horse posted a picture of this bit as well but I would not use any of the other bits she posted, they are way too harsh if your horse works well off of a bit like the tom thumb that you are using now.

If you needed a little more, I do not think you will from the info you provided, I would try the 2nd bit next.
Both, like sorrelhorse said, are forms of the Jr Cow Horse bit.

Sorrelhorse: I do not believe the Ported Roller bit (324) that you have pictures is a form of the Jr Cow Horse.
I personally have never seen anyone actually use this bit. However I have seen it marketed at reputable tack shops as a Jr. Cow Horse. It is possible the tag is wrong I suppose.
 
#13 ·
Like many people have said, I love the Jr Cowhorse..Fantastic bit and SO many horses have good results with it and it's a very versatile bit..Based on the bit your horse is used to I would go with a Jr Cowhorse with a smooth mouth piece first and see how that works for you.
 
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