[lilrider]

Theres no training that goes into using a tom thumb that is different than using any kind of curb bit. The problem is people think they are snaffles and use them with two hands. They also have a straighter shank so more leverage. The bit is not the problem as much as the person using it. I really hate it when people start to bad mouth a certain bit because usually its the rider not the bit that makes the provblems.

The writer of the article contradicts himself. He calls it the tom thumb snaffle then talks about how it is not a snaffle... which it is not.

In fact this article is poorly done IMO. One of the biggest problems the author has with the bit is what happens when you DIRECT REIN with it. You are not supposed to direct rein in this bit as its a curb bit. So that right there has nothing to do with the bit just with people who do not know the correct use of a TT. Yes bad things happen when you direct rein... because that is not the purpose of the bit. Bad things happen if you direct rein in any curb bit.

He states that he has seen this bit the most often as a cause of behavoir problems. What he fails to state is the fact that probably over half the times the bit is causing the problem its because of IMPROPER use of the bit.

I do agree that when stopping or backing the V it creates can cause the horse to open their mouths and it can be painful but when you move a horse into a CURB bit the horse should be able to respond to your legs and stop and back with minimal bit contact. SO you should not be pulling hard when using a TomThumb because it is a curb bit. Until your horse responds to leg and seat cues you should stay in a snaffle bit.

As for the swiveling when neck reining... I don't think I have ever had a problem with that. And when you have a western horse who is ready to be put in a curb bit, you should not need to use very obvious rein cues in order to steer. Because once again your horse should be responding to seat and leg cues and need only minimal bit and rein contact in order to steer.


I think the biggest thing people need to remember about the tom thumb bit is that it is a CURB bit not a snaffle bit. So if your horse is not ready to be put in a curb then its not ready for a Tom Thumb.

[gallop3337]

I think the entire point of the article was to show how the bit is very easy to misuse. Especially for someone who doesn't understand how bits work in the first place. That is why he went through the effort to explain how it works in every aspect (direct reining and neck reining). It is confusing because it has a broken mouth piece and shanks. People see the broken mouth piece and think it's ok to direct rein like they would in a snaffle with a broken mouthpiece. I honestly don't know why you would want a curb bit with a broken mouth piece? What's the point?? Why not just use a snaffle or a regular curb?

[alana529]

I completely agree with lilrider. The thing to remember with ANY shanked bit, is they work off leverage. That's why they're for broke horses who work off the leg and seat.

The leverage action means that you can give very subtle rein cues and the horse will feel it, even with a drape in your rein. Like to give the horse a little reminder to carry his head correctly, you can pick your hand up 1", and he should respond.

If you need your reins to steer, stop, collect your horse, back up etc then he is not ready for this type of bit, because the leverage action is going to give conflicting signals. That's true of any type of shanked bit, not just a tom thumb.

[aqh88]

The nutcracker action in a tom thumb is the worst I've seen of any bit. You can't say all leverage bits are equal, that they work with any horse trained to a curb, and that it's always the riders fault. If that were true we would not have tons of different types of bits. I have ridden plenty of horses that neck reined lightly and stopped lightly and tried tom thumbs on several of them. Not one liked that bit and while they would accept most leverage bits whether 3piece, 2piece, or solid mouth there was head flinging and more resistence to a tom thumb than any other bit I tried. I have yet to see anyone who's horse really preferred a tom thumb or had a need for one versus another type of broken mouth leverage bit. With the amount of different bits there are out there I see no need for the tom thumb to be used.

[lilrider]

Originally Posted by gallop3337

I think the entire point of the article was to show how the bit is very easy to misuse. Especially for someone who doesn't understand how bits work in the first place. That is why he went through the effort to explain how it works in every aspect (direct reining and neck reining). It is confusing because it has a broken mouth piece and shanks. People see the broken mouth piece and think it's ok to direct rein like they would in a snaffle with a broken mouthpiece. I honestly don't know why you would want a curb bit with a broken mouth piece? What's the point?? Why not just use a snaffle or a regular curb?

But you state that the article cohnvinced you not to use one.... why? Nope no deal the article was all about showing how evil the TT bit not explain the misueses of it. Or you choose not to use it because you think you will misuse it? Well I hope you don't even use a curb then

If someone does not understand how a bit works then they should honestly not be riding or should be working with someone more knowledgable.

IMO it being broken makes it easier to give very subtle cues as it moves more easily and more independently shank wise.

[lilrider]

Originally Posted by aqh88

The nutcracker action in a tom thumb is the worst I've seen of any bit. You can't say all leverage bits are equal, that they work with any horse trained to a curb, and that it's always the riders fault. If that were true we would not have tons of different types of bits. I have ridden plenty of horses that neck reined lightly and stopped lightly and tried tom thumbs on several of them. Not one liked that bit and while they would accept most leverage bits whether 3piece, 2piece, or solid mouth there was head flinging and more resistence to a tom thumb than any other bit I tried. I have yet to see anyone who's horse really preferred a tom thumb or had a need for one versus another type of broken mouth leverage bit. With the amount of different bits there are out there I see no need for the tom thumb to be used.

Actually my arab gelding prefers a TT over every other curb bit

But he also moves off your leg and seat not off the reins and doesn't need to be ridden in a bridle at all.

My point is that you really can't call the TT an evil bit period that should never be used...

[i_luv_wildfire]

I thought it was strange how the author of the article referred to the TT NUMEROUS times as a "Tom Thumb snaffle", then explained why it's not a snaffle, and then continued to call it a snaffle! Um..hello?

[riding_reaper]

tom thumbs are a good step-up bit from a snaffle in workin on perfecting a horse's neck reinng. Theres nothing wrong with them as long as they are used the correct way and in the right hands.

[doublebarr]

I think, in MHO, that the real problem comes from the fact that people (horsemen) have lost or never gained the knowledge about making a true "Reined Horse" The vaqueros knew it took many, many, many years and wet saddle blankets to "put a handle on a pony". If you go back and research, they were not put into a "curb type bit" till long after the 5 year old mark, often going into their 7th or 8th year. It has become a world where we want that "finish" now, but it's a false finish. If you've ever seen a true athlete, a finished "Reined Horse" then you would deffinately see the difference. They are ridden with a spade mouthpiece and still have the softest mouths. Why? Becasue, by the time they are in the spade, they can feel you breathe through the reins and you don't have to use the bit.

Am I saying we are bad for not doing it this way? No, I too have 5 year olds in curbs with a slight "rush" to show finish when they would be better off in a snaffle because that is what the show world requires. But it does limit how much of a finish you get when they have to be showing in the Sr. division by age 5. Again JMHO.

[lilrider]

Originally Posted by doublebarr

I think, in MHO, that the real problem comes from the fact that people (horsemen) have lost or never gained the knowledge about making a true "Reined Horse" The vaqueros knew it took many, many, many years and wet saddle blankets to "put a handle on a pony". If you go back and research, they were not put into a "curb type bit" till long after the 5 year old mark, often going into their 7th or 8th year. It has become a world where we want that "finish" now, but it's a false finish. If you've ever seen a true athlete, a finished "Reined Horse" then you would deffinately see the difference. They are ridden with a spade mouthpiece and still have the softest mouths. Why? Becasue, by the time they are in the spade, they can feel you breathe through the reins and you don't have to use the bit.

Am I saying we are bad for not doing it this way? No, I too have 5 year olds in curbs with a slight "rush" to show finish when they would be better off in a snaffle because that is what the show world requires. But it does limit how much of a finish you get when they have to be showing in the Sr. division by age 5. Again JMHO.

Agreed... 100%