[Vidaloco]

I got this bit for Saro as I was transitioning her from a snaffle after she learned neck reining last summer. Its a Myler level one with their comfort snaffle. If your not familiar with that, it doesn't break like a normal snaffle only a partial sort of bend to put less pressure on the bars than a normal snaffle.
My husband says I might as well be using a Tom thumb bit. Since it doesn't break like a normal snaffle I say he's wrong. Please settle the argument.

 

[horsea]

Myler bits are awesome because they don't really work like other bits so I would have to agree with you!

 

[kevinshorses]

Any bit will do if YOU will do. It looks fine to me. The problem I have with Tom Thumbs is that they usually have straight shanks. The horse can mouth these and grab them with thier teeth and it looks stupid but a lot of horses go well in them. I think the Myler bits are a gimmick but probably not as bad as some others. If your horse is properly prepared then it shouldn't matter too much what goes in thier mouth.

 

[Honeysuga]

I have to agree with your hubby on this one. Though the snaffle action is muted, it is still there, and the bit does have a shank, so you might as well call it a "gentler" Tom Thumb with a brand name....

But I also say that if it is what you want to use, and you know how to use it, go for it.

 

[xxBarry Godden]

Bits and Bitting - Oh my, we humans could talk about the merits and the demerits all day. The only way to find out if something works is to ask the horse - try it and see if it achieves the results you are expecting of it. But watch the horse carefully at the same time.

My mare wears a very expensive level one Myler - a bit for English riding "on the bit" and it works well. Her nose comes down and she is "on the bit" with a rounded outline.
However it has taken her only a couple of weeks to work out how to evade it - so we have fitted a flash band to keep her mouth closed.

We are waiting for round 3.

B G

 

[iridehorses]

That bit is very far removed from a Tom Thumb. It is a short shanked/ratio Billy Allen and is comparatively mild as far as shanked bits are concerned. it is very similar to one that I've been using successfully for over a dozen years.

A true TT has a straight shank, without the barrel in the center which restricts movement, and is rather unbalanced. You are in the right this time and Tony is in the wrong - sorry Tony.

 

[GottaRide]

The bit in the OP is so not anything close to a Tom Thumb. The Myler bit is a much better choice. It will not/cannot collapse & cause the nutcracker action that is so detrimental of the TT.

 

[Vidaloco]

"You are in the right this time and Tony is in the wrong - sorry Tony."

I need to have that framed. I am so seldom right :lol: