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Next Step up From a Tom Thumb Bit?

11K views 17 replies 9 participants last post by  rosie9r 
#1 ·
When I first got my gelding he had only been ridden in a snaffle a few times. Mainly they rode him in a mechanical hack. Anyway, I started out using a snaffle then worked my way up to a tom thumb. Now I'm just wondering what would be the next step from here? Which bit should I progress to from the tom thumb? I've heard the tom thumb be called something else, but I can't remember the name. So for those of you who don't recognize it by this name here is a picture:






Thanks for your input!! :)
 
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#3 ·
He wasn't responding to it as well as when he first started. Its not like he's hard mouthed, he just wasn't responding well to it. So I stepped it up a little. Now we are starting the same thing. I rode him in the snaffle for about 4 months before he started having issues with it. I was then told by my neighbor (a WP trainer) to try to step up to the next bit i.e. the tom thumb. I haven't gotten a chance to talk to her as she has been in PA doing some training and I was just curious as to what you guys thought. He's been in the tom thumb for nearly 3 months now.....
 
#4 ·
I think you would have more success going back to the regular snaffle and working on his responsiveness and softness. Since the problems have re-emerged with the new bit, that is what will keep happening with every bit that you try and eventually, there will be no more bits to try and you will be stuck with an unresponsive horse with a ruined mouth. I am very against using a tom thumb bit because it can be very harsh and cause more problems than it solves. I would suggest that you go back to the snaffle and work on his training.
 
#6 ·
I think you would have more success going back to the regular snaffle and working on his responsiveness and softness. Since the problems have re-emerged with the new bit, that is what will keep happening with every bit that you try and eventually, there will be no more bits to try and you will be stuck with an unresponsive horse with a ruined mouth. I am very against using a tom thumb bit because it can be very harsh and cause more problems than it solves. I would suggest that you go back to the snaffle and work on his training.
Agree 100%. I am dead set against any shanked jointed bit as they all act like a nutcracker in the mouth. I suspect there has been holes in the training of this horse or that he was moved out of a useful bit (snaffle)before he was ready.

Go back to the snaffle and if you must have a shanked bit to use to show in don't get one that has a jointed mouthpiece.
 
#5 ·
Tom Thumbs are a cruel bit. Try using a nutcracker on your finger, and you will get the general idea.


Becoming less responsive is usually a training issue, rather than needing a stronger bit. My horse is 11 years old, and she is still in a snaffle.

Rule out any dental problems too.
 
#7 ·
I agree with everyone else. You should probably see if you can use a less severe bit if at all possible. Tom Thumbs are one of the worst bits Trouble with Tom Thumb Sorry I couldn't find the article with pictures.

However if you do want another shanked bit that is a "step up" (even though it is less severe) I would try a short shanked curb with a medium or low port. These bits are everywhere and thus easy to find
 
#8 ·
if you are just riding for pleasure a snaffle is great and use that

but if you are showing in a western class with a horse over 5yo you must show it in a shanked bit, so i guess my point is a snaffle is great but its illegal in the pen when showing western in a horse over 5 years old. snaffles are great for training and teaching correct technique but in the show pen not realistic. There are my different shanked bits out there, one peice, two piece or even 3 piece. I prefer and use a short shanked 3 piece bit to show my horses western in.
 
#10 ·
Wow! Thank you for the advice. I especially found that article posted by MajeuticManege to be very helpful. I am a little upset that my trainer told me to bump up to a tom thumb now. Especially after reading that article. I think I will go back to the snaffle for now and work there again. I may try the three-piece full cheek bit though. After I have Bandit go through a refresher with the snaffle. I KNOW for a fact that its not a dental issue as his teeth were just floated last month. He had a full float, odontoplasty, and bit seats. Anyway, I will just go back to the snaffle before any more harm is done. Thanks again guys, I really appreciate it!
 
#11 ·
Let us know how it goes. I'm a fan of french-link snaffles. Since they have the flat center piece it doesn't create hardly as much effect of a regular snaffle.

Also, a single-jointed snaffle creates different types of pressure on either side. If you scroll down on this page you should be able to find the information about it. Treating Founder (Chronic Laminitis) without Horseshoes, 19--full

Hope that helps some. And you can always just ride in a halter and lead rope. I've found that rope halters work better and the thinner the rope the more control you have.
 
#12 ·
Umm...that according to the USEA and USPC that is not considered a tom thumb. A tom thum bit is just a pelham with really short shanks. I am not completely sure about that bit to me it looks like some type of curb.

I need to reread your first post again though to answer the rest of the bit question.
Thanks, E
 
#13 ·
oops. Just read the rest of the responses. I hope your horse enjoys his new snaffle...I use a french link loose ring on my OTTB and he goes great in it. Hes more soft in that than his slow twist (jumping bit). I agree with everyone saying you should try a bit with three pieces, they have worked great for me. :)

Happy Riding~ E
 
#16 ·
TT Pelham:
JP Tom Thumb Pelham Bit


A pelham is a leverage bit, meaning that is increases the force but reduces the extent of movement applied by the rider. Unlike a snaffle bit, the curb rein can amplify the rein pressure several times over, depending on the geometry and length of the shank. Shank lengths are 2 inches (5.1 cm) ("Tom Thumb") and longer, although most are less than 4 inches (10 cm).
So a TT Pelham is the short shank variety.

This is a Tom Thumb western bit:
The Bit Gallery - Tom Thumb Western Snaffle

This one also has a copper mouth.

Here are some good articles about TT bits. MANY "trainers" don't realize the harm they can do, as many horses seem to "do fine" in them.
Bits and their Proper Use
Tom Thumb Bit
Today's Horse - The Trouble with Tom Thumb - I Love Mark Rashid. His books are all great investments, for any rider. He's a real "quite horseman", without any 12 step programs or expensive tack you should buy. His approach to working with horses is very simple and effective, seemingly without much "work."

This is an old thread (2006), but the poster "Stormie" has some great insight on these bits.
http://www.dailyequine.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3671
 
#17 ·
I really appreciate the advice and the links to all of the helpful articles!!!
And as far as riding in a halter and leadrope, I really only do that when I ride bareback. I just don't like to ride in a halter most of the time. I will be starting the d ring snaffle again tomorrow and see how it goes from there. Then I may try to move to a three piece full cheek. But we'll just have to see. Thanks again!!
 
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