Tom_thumbs??

blair399 · 11-06-2009, 06:05 PM

Tom thumbs are terrible bits! Piece of ****!

taylor~paint08 · 11-06-2009, 08:54 PM

thanks everyone

never used one, just wodnering

tlwidener · 11-06-2009, 09:04 PM

A Tom Thumb is a very unbalanced bit. The shanks can twist and turn in any direction. The bit is only balanced when it is in the horse's mouth and there is contact on the reins. A TT sort of acts like a snaffle and sort of acts like a leverage bit. The bit can and will hit the roof of the mouth when fully engaged. It can easily cut and pinch tongues. It is also unstable in the mouth. The straight shanks give no signal.

I believe the only good place for a TT bit is the garbage can.

It surprises me to see how many horses sport these bits. I think a lot of people mistakenly view them as mild bits because of the mouth piece. It is far from mild.

xlilxonex · 11-07-2009, 04:09 AM

Also take in account tldwidener that alot of the bridle/junk saddle sets COME with these bits... So people who don't know anything think oh! I can neck-rein with a "snaffle" now and I can be nice to my horse........

Free_Rider · 11-08-2009, 05:36 AM

I had my horse in one, he HATED it! It's now collecting dust in my tack room...may have to have a look at the whole "decoration" aspect of it lol.

draftlover · 11-08-2009, 11:00 AM

I used one when I first rode horses. It's all everyone used. Then, through time and education, I learned how harsh they can be. I now use an o-ring snaffle or similar. My horses are very soft and supple.

One think to keep in mind that a bit is only as harsh as the hands using it.

xlilxonex · 11-08-2009, 11:08 AM

You are correct about hte second part draftlover, EXCEPT when it's an unbalanced junk bit... Even then its still being used improperly no matter what for the most part..

11-06-2009, 08:54 PM	#12
taylor~paint08 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,101 Images: 125	thanks everyone never used one, just wodnering __________________ ~To ride or not to ride? What a stupid question! ~A stubborn horse walks behind you, an impatient horse walks in front of you, but a noble companion walks beside you.

11-06-2009, 09:04 PM	#13
tlwidener Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,768 Images: 146	A Tom Thumb is a very unbalanced bit. The shanks can twist and turn in any direction. The bit is only balanced when it is in the horse's mouth and there is contact on the reins. A TT sort of acts like a snaffle and sort of acts like a leverage bit. The bit can and will hit the roof of the mouth when fully engaged. It can easily cut and pinch tongues. It is also unstable in the mouth. The straight shanks give no signal. I believe the only good place for a TT bit is the garbage can. It surprises me to see how many horses sport these bits. I think a lot of people mistakenly view them as mild bits because of the mouth piece. It is far from mild. __________________ Does this saddle make my butt look big? It's MINE! GIVE IT BACK NOW!!!

11-07-2009, 04:09 AM	#14
xlilxonex Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,325 Images: 24 Blog Entries: 1	Also take in account tldwidener that alot of the bridle/junk saddle sets COME with these bits... So people who don't know anything think oh! I can neck-rein with a "snaffle" now and I can be nice to my horse........ __________________ I <3 My Curly http://bbspinnaker.webs.com/

11-08-2009, 11:08 AM	#17
xlilxonex Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,325 Images: 24 Blog Entries: 1	You are correct about hte second part draftlover, EXCEPT when it's an unbalanced junk bit... Even then its still being used improperly no matter what for the most part.. __________________ I <3 My Curly http://bbspinnaker.webs.com/

11-06-2009, 06:05 PM	#11
blair399 Full Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 281	Tom thumbs are terrible bits! Piece of ****!

11-08-2009, 11:00 AM	#16
draftlover Full Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 191	I used one when I first rode horses. It's all everyone used. Then, through time and education, I learned how harsh they can be. I now use an o-ring snaffle or similar. My horses are very soft and supple. One think to keep in mind that a bit is only as harsh as the hands using it.