Can anyone bring up to date me why so abundant population consider 'tom thumb' bits are serene? ?
Tom Thub bits are VERY harsh! Does anyone realize how they work inside the horses mouth? I don't understand why so many family that are inexperienced (or stubborn as a mule in their own opinions) in the equine world don't educate themselves and try to take in how each bit works. Also it is not a snaffle, western or otherwise! When a bit is a 'snaffle' it indicates a non shanked, direct contact bit, and the mouthpiece can be solid, or broken, with a variety of cheek pieces including D ring, loose ring, eggbut, full cheek etc!. Any bit beside shanks is a leverage bit regardless of the type of mouthpieces including broken and solid mouth pieces.
Here is how a tom thumb works: When you pull on the reins you not only utilize the leverage of the shanks on the poll and chin (using a chin strap), but you also cause a severe 'nutcracker' affect on the roof of the horses mouth which is more severe than a snaffle near a broken mouth piece because of the leverage of the shanks. To add insult to injury you are also putting extra pressure on the bars on the mouth due to the nutcracker and shank because they are squeezing on both sides when the bit 'folds' contained by half. Ouch!
I just want people to ruminate about what they are putting in their horse's mouths, and to try to understand how it feel for them. I like to use this test when I pick a bit for my horse: hold the bit in your closed fist at the angle it sits contained by your horses mouth have someone attach reins to the designated places (or just pull next to fingers for a snaffle) and pull or 'guide' as you normally would when you ride. Then, ask yourself these questions: does it pinch? Does it squeeze the vivacity out of your hand? Does it poke the top your your hand where the roof of the mouth would be? Are at hand any sharp or rough places that would rub the gums or roof of the mouth?
I hope I am not offending too many people. I am just trying to minister to and to make life a little better for family and thier mounts.
i use a tom thumb bit and my horses work great with it, i love them!
but i do use other bits for other things too.
i have one horse that has a incredibly light and tender mouth and its one of the only bits that is not brutal on her mouth!
it really depends on the the person and how they are using it on the horse- it is not a harsh bit unless you use it that way!
Good for you! I HATE when people are telling you that you always inevitability to use a harsh bit or otherwise. I use a very thick snaffle bit on my horse, after someone tried a curb bit on him and he reared and his mouth was sore for the longest time.
Bits and spurs are only as rough as the rider using them.
If your horse is properly trained and has progressed to a shank bit after a snaffle you are using your legs to cue him as much as the reins. If your horse is trained very well and you want to stop all you should have to do is pick up your hand slightly, close your legs, apply somewhat spur pressure (only used as a extension of your leg) also known as a "spur stop" and, a whoa while at the same time sitting down and back into your form. I ride and show AQHA western pleasure and I use a correction bit. but with a soft hand and a well trained horse I one and only pick up my hand slightly and cue with my legs so the bit is never harsh. With this combination of cues my gelding know to level his neck round his back and dawdle for my next cue which would either be a kiss sound for a lope or a cluck for a run.
hmmm.
i use a tom tumb bit but its a snaffle tyoe middle wich curves in to make it a bit more comfy for the horse and its bar on the side are small and leaves enoufgh room between the corner of the mouth so the bar dosint pull
i rarely use the bit to direct the horse unless the horse im riding is trying to return with to the stallion next door ;/
yes it can be a horrible bit any bits can if the person is yank or just useing the reins to direct the horse i reckon a halter and some reins will do me but unforcantly it wont beacuse the horses i have can be very uncontrollerbal at times speacily coz at hand mares ;/ and the area belongs to a stud owner that we use and the stalloins next doors are very instrested
i ride everything contained by a tom thumb for everything i do. Pleasure, speed, trail riding, training, lessons, EVERYTHING. They are NOT HARSH as long as the rider knows was he/she is doing. But any bit is stern if you yank yank wrench. But seriously, tom thumbs being harsh? Look at some of the other bits out there...
I do agree most general public don't have a clue how bits work but i do. I have looked at many various many bits and i know how many of them work. I just can't believe anyone can regard tom thumbs are harsh.
What I don't like is people think they can fashion a tom thumb a snaffle by taking off the curb chain. YIKES! I tried and tired to explain to my nephew's wife that it makes the tom thumb approaching a nut cracker but she wouldn't listen.
On the other hand...it is in the hand of the user what make a bit good or bad.
Heh this is no question, only a rant. But its good to bring out rants every once and a while, especially when your ranting about people's ignorance of horses.
I will hold to try out the test with the bit I'm using now. Its a insubstantial, short curb... I always have it as loose in the horse's mouth as I can find without having it bump her teeth.
People don't bother to learn how tom bits really are because ignorance is the easiest course for them. They just never know so they aren't doing any "wrong."
Answers: *YYYAAAAAWWWWWWNNN*
Ok this "tom thumb is harsh" thing is tired.
1st a tom thumb is another name for a Argentinian shanked snaffle or a Parelli engaging bit. A Tom thumb is nil more than a snaffle bit with a shank on it.
Yes it is bit with more leverage, that is the point. The source to go to a bit with more leverage is horse is getting better trained and wishes less pressure on the mouth. NOT more, very large misconception.
Do you have a sneaking suspicion that a curb bit with a 2'' port and a 5'' shank is better than a tom thumb.you may need to go posterior to horse riding 101.
Going bit less is always an option whether you are one of the people who thinks all bits are cruel. Then are plentiful options for you there. But if you want to show you hold to do it in a snaffle bit, curb or full bosal hackamore. No Dr Cook's or who ever has the bit less bridles.
The principal thing to know about bits is. IT IS NOT THE BIT THAT HARSH IT IS THE RIDERS HANDS THAT ARE HARSH!
So go put money on and learn a bit more and from some one else than a person who thinks horses own telekinetic powers.
Because they own been led to believe that, thinking it is a snaffle. Not only is the Tom Thumb overly metallic, but it fails to deliver signals to the horse correctly, so that all it does is confuse the poor animal. It is inadequately designed, harsh, and still considered to be a lousy bit even in the best of hand because, by design, it just can't do what a good curb bit is intended to do. Many top trainers have come to realize that Tom Thumbs do not belong contained by their training programs and have become quite outspoken about it whether anyone bothers to read what they are writing, or hear what they are saying. In fact, they are no longer even used as transition bits by most educated trainers.
In perfect hands when riding a horse that is not being asked for precision work, it can work out, although nearby are better choices.
I have a Tom Thumb mainly for my mare since I bought her when she be 4 and half. She is now 17 and does great it in. Never have a problem. She is calm and never had any sores or attitude with it. I do barrels and trail riding contained by the bit.
She has always been man handle before I bought her in training. He would use D-ring snaffle bits and she just doesn't approaching them due to it.
I tried to use my geldings (they both use it) 3/4 port sweet iron bit on her and she flipped out. It was just too much for her.
So in her bag, she is perfectly content in a Tom Thumb, broken.
My geldings are perfectly content surrounded by the sweet iron. Both of them are interchangable from snaffle to sweet iron, but my youngest is more stubborn (don't like to listen) with the snaffle. My youngest likes to roll the roller near his tounge alot if we are standing for awhile (like in a trail class or waiting for our turn).
I ride western and contained by the past, rode a little english. I have kept like bits over the years, change them out with new, same bits after they get old etc. Each one of them is just fine.
My vet and past trainers even agree.
Now I enjoy seen some riders have some outragious bits in their horses mouths.but I do not dare permit my horse have anything uncomfortable and painful.
Blah Blah Blah Blah...another rant from someone who thinks that they are the "queen of bit knowledge" Again I will vote, as it hasnt been said enough on here...no bit is evil, it is the riders hands that trade name a bit harsh! I also train and show AQHA and we train through a progression of bits and there is nothing more attractive than a well bridled horse. Have you ever seen a Spade trained horse? the most amazing thing ever. Just cuz you dont hold the experience or hands to be able to ensure a more advanced bit isnt harsh after dont preach to us that it is bad or evil..I have been training for 25 yrs and own a equine sciences degree, also additionally getting a reproduction degree. You sound close to someone else I know...bits are bad bad bad.lecture yourself.
Sometimes you can't beat the ppl beside the bits into understanding ;)
I wont use them, but others swear by em.
to me, Tom Thumb bits are merely harsh when used wrong. My horse i used to have would only respond to the tom thumb. I freshly give him is head when i dont need to stop him. i never gather his head. he was a pleasure horse so i gave him his leader. I never liked the idea of gather... its simply WRONG. to me.
