French Link Tom Thumb?

Do they exist?
Btw I am talking about the tom thumb bit with out poll action and looks like this.

Which isnt the same as this, (full cheek) as it has shorter cheeks

As far as I know, they only come with one join. I think the nutcracker action is what it is ment for, along with its cheek pieces.

A Tom Thumb is a specific bit, not just a joined mouth bit with shanks. Typically it is a poorly balanced short, straight, shanked, single joined bit. Many people call different versions by that name but the true TT is like this:



If what you are looking for is a shanked bit with a french link joined mouth piece, Showman makes one. It is a shanked bit with swept back shanks and a double joined mouth piece:



A bit without poll action is a simple snaffle and without shanks.

Actually, both you and the OP are correct.

In the US, a "tom thumb" bit is the one with shanks. In many places outside the US (notably Australia), the bit shown in the OP is a considered a "tom thumb." It gets its name from the flattened cheek pieces which look like they have been pressed with a thumb.

The "western" tom thumb vs the "english" tom thumb difference has caused much confusion in internet forums because most people are not aware of the "other" version.

Both are referred to as a tom thumb, depending on where you are in the world.


And to the original question... I have never seen an "english" TT with a french link. Then again, I have never seen all the available bits. :) Is there a reason you need that specific cheek piece?

You are absolutely correct. I forgot that in countries outside the US, the Tom Thumb is a different bit. I should have looked to where the OP came from - Thanks for the correction!

I would think the closest you will get is a D-ring french link. The D-ring will give approximately the same effect as the bars on a TT...

I have never seen a french link TT though.

I wan the specific cheek piece and she looks really good in it that's the main reason. She has such a fine nose if she is in looserings or eggbuts it dominates her face and makes her look hideous,
Also she goes well with the slight cheeks to help her turn better.

Thats the first time I've ever heard someone look for a specific bit, mainly because their horse looks better in it lol. I love it.

I know this may sound a little strange but, would it be worth it to see if you could get one made? I don't really know much about those bits mainly cause I only really use happy mouths and snaffles.
I'm not sure if that would be costly? Or maybe getting one made just doesn't happen?
I'm not really sure lol.

Yeah haha, she just total doesnt suit normal snaffles as the ring is so big it just looks disgusting,
I am also trying to see if I can find a french link with smaller rings in the same thickness but they seem to be just as hard to find.
She has quite a large soft mouth and goes best in thicker mouth pieces.

You can get a bridoon, they are a snaffle with smaller cheekpieces. I have an eggbut bradoon on my arab pony, and a loose ring french link bradoon on my ASH. I really love the one I have on my ASH, it looks like this, only a loose ring:




This eggbut one might suit her as well though. I think the smaller rings look really neat and classy.