[BOE]

I probably sound like idiot but what is this bit? What is so special about it?

[Blistering Winds]

Nothing special about it.

It is a standard broken mouth curb bit with short shanks.

This si the most WIDELY MIS-USED bit ever.

This bit is to be ridden on a loose rein, neck reining. NOT direct reining, which you see MANY People do.

[linds]

The tom thumb is one of the most basic shanked type of snaffle bits. It is used as a transition bit from a ring snaffle to a longer shanked snaffle or to a curbed bit because it uses a small amount of curb pressure or leverage, plus the loose cheeks move independantly for more lateral flexibility. This is the idea behind it anyways but personally im not a big fan

[Shotgun93]

Here is an article that I bookmarked a while ago, it really describe the bit well. I am not a big fan of this bit, basically b/c it is so misused and creates a lot of unecessary problems.

The Tom Thumb snaffle was originally designed as a transition bit that was to be used in Western training. When a green horse was far enough along that perhaps a training snaffle was no longer necessary, but not far enough along to be moved into a curb bit, the Tom Thumb would be used. This would be great, if in fact, it made the transition simple and easy. Unfortunately, it doesn't. The truth of the matter is that, due to its design, it could possibly be considered one of the worst bits that somebody could use at a highly critical time in a young horse's training.

The Tom Thumb is commonly termed a snaffle bit because its mouthpiece is broken, or hinged, which is a trademark common to the true snaffle bits. That is where the similarities end. On a true snaffle bit, the reins are attached to a relatively small, swiveling ring which could be considered a working part of the mouthpiece itself. When the rein is pulled, as you would do when asking the horse to turn, the ring that the rein is attached to moves completely away from the horse's mouth. The mouthpiece itself slides in the same direction, which causes the ring on the opposite side of the horse's mouth to apply pressure on that side. Because the horse is taught to go away from pressure, it then makes sense that if you are pulling to the left, and thre pressure from the bit is on the right side of his mouth, he will naturally turn his head to the left. This is the simple principle that is commonly referred to as direct reining, or "plow reining". It is also a principle that is almost impossible to perform properly with the Tom Thumb, due to its design.

SHANKS PROHIBIT DIRECT REINING

Unlike a true snaffle bit, the Tom Thumb has shanks similar to the ones found on a solid curb bit. It is to the bottom of these shanks that the reins are attached. The headstall is attached to the top of the shank, as is some type of curb strap which fits around the bottom of the horse's jaw, in the chin area. These shanks swivel and are attached to the bit's mouthpiece.

[AFab]

A lot was disscussed about it on this thread
Next Level Western Bit

[Blistering Winds]

The tom thumb is one of the most basic shanked type of snaffle bits.

Not to pick on you, but a tom thumb is NOT a snaffle in ANY way shape or form.

It is a CURB by direct definition. You WILL see ignorant tack stores sell them as "SNAFFLES" because of direct ignorance by the store owners. NEVER will you see on my website, it referred to as a snaffle because it isn't. And if you do, Someone shoot me please. LOL

SNAFFLES by definition are bits with no leverage points.

Curb bits have leverage points.

Leverage or no leaverage will tell you what kind of cues you are to give your horse for the proper useage of the bit. Leverage bits in the western world (shanked bits) are to be ridden neck rein.

Snaffles or non-leverage bits are to be ridden indirect reins.

The only way to change the incorrect language is to get the ball rolling.