Bitting advice....

H

H-J

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 June 2006
Messages
6,386
Location
Essex
www.piczo.com
Need a bit with good steering!

I have mac in a sweet iron, what I think is called a Tomthumb with roundings, it has rings on the mouth piece and 2 rings on the side, it has a lozenge.

He isnt REALLY strong, just a bit strong in that after the fences at a show and we have a little trouble steering - not lots and it will all get better the more schooling he does. And good considering he has been out of work for 4 yrs!!! But just wondered what bit any one would suggest??

Should I take the roundings off? Or I thought about putting a curb on it??

He carries his head quite high when jumping, he doesnt really pull or chuck it up just carries it quite high. Any views??!!
smile.gif
 
My god that looks like a contraption !!

'm really old school, don't go much in for this new stuff - so how about something like a pelham? Then you can have a curb on it.

Wear a martingale for keeping the head down, though to be honest, the only thing that changes that is plenty of groundwork!
 
He is a Grade A so doesnt need much ground work! And I dont think I am going to change him just wanted to know if this is the best bit to use to help with steering or if a curb would help?

And crikey if you think that is a contraption!!! hehe I used to have to ride Fitz in Myler combinations for SJ and XC with ports and a grakle he look like he had a hannibla mask on!!!
 
I just use one rein on the bottom - I wouldn't bother with roundings on a tom thumb as they are relatively mild anyway

As above you can add an american curb strap to add curb action and stop the bit moving around
 
my boy rides in a tom thumb likes yours does. and i ride in one reign on the bottom. i have tried in a pelham but he plunges when he's restricted to much to take away my reins. as for steering i would say ground work with him as well as i do with flint but stick to what you know if thats what he is comfortable in. if you do use a martingale make sure is tight enough to do the job but loose enogh for him to be able to stretch. i hate to see the horses at shows witha martingale cantering around like a chicken because the martingale is too loose and in effective.
 
Correctly speaking, using a martingale with an elevator bit such as a tom thumb is contadicting both actions of martingale and bit, and giving mixed signals. The tom thumb lifts, the martingale stops the lifting.
smirk.gif
 
depends on what u r actually looking for, flint tends to dip down with his head and pull, tom thumb helps bring him up, martingale stops him from coming to far up, i suppose depending on horse it can go one way or the other, ive found a happy medium but i know exactly what you mean
 
I just have a dislike for martingales as see them too tight ALLLLL the time, and it is so unfair on the horse. Should be long enough to reach back to their withers, or into their gullet when theyre relaxed
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top