[1horsegirl]

I am not an expert, but my trainer is, and she swears by the Dr. Bristol full cheek snaffle. It is like the first pic at the top. The reason I believe the full cheek is best, is because if your horse were to try and take off, and you had to pull the reins full force to one side the full cheek is very unlikely to rip her mouth or go through and damage her mouth. This Dr. Bristol bit is very gentle, and doesn't send to many signals to your horse at once to confuse her. Also try sweet iron or copper in the bit you choose, it taste better to the horse. If your unsure of how a bit taste and feels to your horse, have someone put the headstall over your head, and put the bit in you mouth and see how it feels and taste. My instructer did this to me, and it gave me a real sense of what the horse goes through, and how unnessasary it is to be applying alot of pressure on the reins. It is not pleasant at all.

[seaecho]

Keep in mind also, that some horses prefer a solid mouthpiece, other than a jointed/broken mouthpiece. My TWH goes very well in a low port Kimberwick, but doesn't care for anything jointed--I think it confuses him, whereas my Arab will go well in just about anything, but absolutely LOVES his French Link. Every horse is different in their preferences for bits, so I'd get that Tom Thumb out of your horse's mouth on your next ride and try some of the suggestions made above. If a French link or Dr. Bristol don't give you enough control, give the Kimberwick a try. I find it gives me a bit of extra control, yet its mild enough to do a safe one-rein stop in.

[iheartcloudnine]

Not every horse is the same, so it isn't surprising that your horse doesn't like the bit all your other horses do.

I personally despise Tom Thumbs (the links posted by other forum members are very informative and I would check them out). I would definitely try a different bit, start out with a snaffle and go from there.

[2horsestoride]

Originally Posted by 1horsegirl

I am not an expert, but my trainer is, and she swears by the Dr. Bristol full cheek snaffle. It is like the first pic at the top. The reason I believe the full cheek is best, is because if your horse were to try and take off, and you had to pull the reins full force to one side the full cheek is very unlikely to rip her mouth or go through and damage her mouth. This Dr. Bristol bit is very gentle, and doesn't send to many signals to your horse at once to confuse her. Also try sweet iron or copper in the bit you choose, it taste better to the horse. If your unsure of how a bit taste and feels to your horse, have someone put the headstall over your head, and put the bit in you mouth and see how it feels and taste. My instructer did this to me, and it gave me a real sense of what the horse goes through, and how unnessasary it is to be applying alot of pressure on the reins. It is not pleasant at all.

For accuracy, there is a difference between french-link and Dr. Bristol's. The Dr. Bristol bit has a flat link in the center of the mouthpiece which lays at an angle to the bit, unlike to the French Link in which the link is at the same angle as the rest of the mouthpiece.

[Laffee Taffee]

If all else fails, you can always try a hackamore =P





Instead of a bit pulling the horse's head down by the mouth, the hackamore acts on the horse's nose.

[PigHorse]

I found a bit that she seems to like but she won't respond to it very well, I think I will try to use the French Link on her. Now that I read about the Toms Thumb snaffle bit I feel bad about using it on my other horses!

[doublebarr]

Tomthumb bits are not all bad. When used like the shank bit they are, they can be a fine choice as a light bit for a horse to carry. Lot's of horses do fine in them, but they are responsive horses that don't need someone in their mouth.

I think you will like the french link. Have the vet check her pallet height the next time you get her teeth floated. Would be interesting to know if it's lower and good information for you to have in your "horse toolbox".

[PigHorse]

I placed a bid on ebay for a French Link. Hopefully I can get it!

[2spotslast]

Originally Posted by horsemum2

what is the name of this bit?
can you find a pic. of this bit or a link to one? our 4yr.old is in a loose ring snaffle and will soon be going to a new bit because of age and is being trained for western riding.

Robart's Pinchless

[MaggieSue]

This is more of a training issue than a bit issue. And I beleive it's training for both horse and rider. From the sound of it, you are not using your seat to ask the horse to whoa-just hands. Get some lessons, it'll get better.