bits, tom thumb

[Peanot]

Anyone use a Tom Thumb. Friend rides in a Tom Thumb gag thing, with banana shape sides with a small ring at each end, and 3 copper rings in the middle of the bit mouthpiece. Anyone ride in anything similar and if so, when do you use this bit and do you use any other bit any other times?
Thanks in advance.

 

[moneypit1]

I used to jump Fly in a sweetiron TomThumb with a dog bone link. This can be a moderately strong bit wih poll pressure and tongue pressure. A lot of people use them for jumping, they are supposed to encourage the horse to use his "back end" a lot more. I use a loose ring snaffle with a lozenge now (very mild) but if I am doing fast work I am going to try the same bit but in a Cheltenham Gag with two reins as I found that my horse overbent a lot in the Tom Thumb.

 

[splatty]

my daughter uses one on her very forward going sj pony, we found she didnt like jumping in it, but it is very useful for when she hacks out on the open forest or in a group of riders we found pony preferred 3ring waterford dutch gag for actual competiting but we do swap bits about and for flat work and schooling we have her in a hanging cheek snaffle.

 

[mememe]

i have one for buster. i only use it for competition cause if i use it for hacking he just susses bits out and grabs hold of them so we hack in a kimblewick (he has sussed the kimblewick so hacking is always somewhat death defying!

)! i started using it as he was sooooo strong, i had absolutly no brakes and no stearing!

its also the only thing iv tried that is stronger than a snaffle that he likes! we also use a hanging check for dressage for schooling!

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

I use one, we only hack but he has a habbit of bucking and it lifts his head which stops him bucking. it is good for getting them back onto their hocks. I use double reins on mine, so that I only use the lower ring when needed. Is excellent for extra brakes too. Used it today and was glad to, he was very fresh, will use a normal loose ring snaffle tomorrow as I got the energy out of him today, if that makes sense.

Brilliant neat looking bit in my opinion, without over botting the horse.

mine has the lozenge mouth piece