Has anyone ridden in a Tom Thumb bit??

[sleepykitten]

Long story short, mare is feeling very well atm, which is great, but hacking in company, brakes are not good! I'm currently riding her in a Waterford Dutch gag which I hate, but she likes the mouth piece. She is also ridden in a grackle as she sticks her tongue out. Problem is, even with the reins on the second ring, she is still poking her nose and yarking me out of the saddle then trying to tank off. I don't mind this really as she is an old bird who has come sound after a serious ligament injury, and its fabulous she is so full of beans, but I ride occasionally with two quite nervous ladies, and she sets everyone else's horses off!!!

In the summer, when she is calm, I can get away with a French link hanging cheek snaffle and a flash noseband, but she is VERY strong at the moment. I was wondering about a Tom Thumb bit as it has a nice roller in the mouth piece which I think she will like, plus the added benefit off poll pressure to bring her head down a bit. Have ordered a running martingale too. I have previously tried her in a Pelham, but she hasn't the room in her mouth for it as she has a very fleshy tongue and she just put her tongue out and ******ed off!!

So, has anyone any experience of riding in a Tom Thumb bit and if so, do you think it might help me??!!

 

[Asha]

My daughters pony had a tom thumb bit for a while.

he sounds just like your mare. He liked it, and it did give some additional brakes. We only used it for jumping/xc as thats when he would get a bit carried away !

He had a big fleshy tongue too. it did work well.

 

[sleepykitten]

Thank you, that is very helpful, I normally wouldn't worry out on my own as I would just trot her on or find a big hill to go up until she got tired but its' the other riders who are trying to keep their horses calm and mine is not helping!!

I do usually ride alone, but its nice sometimes to have a bit of company and it would be even better not to be constantly disappearing off in front of everyone or being relegated to the naughty corner

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Yes great breaks for company and for jumping XC.

 

[Asha]

I can send you ours, as we dont use it anymore. What size do you need ?

I will have route round the tack room tonight

 

[sleepykitten]

Tha'ts very kind, but this is where i may hit a snag, she's a 6" normally, due to being an Ox X Tank!!!! all the ones I've seen only go up to a 51/2"

 

[0310Star]

I recently got one for my mare as she isn't naughty very often but when she wants to go she also puts her head up and is off she also likes the rollers on it!
I only used it a few times as I haven't really needed it but she seemed to really like it and I have a bit more control when needed

 

[soulfull]

I like them for exactly scenario you describe . Occasionally they can fight it for a bit as they get used to the fact you have control. It only usually lasts a few
Mins before they give up and behave. Make sure the cheek pieces are the right length tho

 

[becca1305]

Mine also has a big gob & I have a tom thumb with lozenge rather than the bars in a 6" from Cotswold Sport I think, if that helps? Not sure how much the bars impact on the brakes. I use mine for SJ and she goes nicely in it, but needs an american gag for xcountry that has longer shanks (although I am going to try the tom thumb with a backstrap & see how she goes xc in that), ive tried hunting her in both of these and ended up in a waterford dutch gag which I had by far the most control of her in but every horse is different!

 

[ludlow]

My horse was ridden in one when I bought him and it didn't stop him from tanking off when out hacking with his new found enthusiasm coming back into work! When he set his neck and decided he was off there was no stopping him. After much trial and error with countless bits we settled for a 4 ring dutch gag and it worked a treat - much more responsive, actually had brakes out hacking, xc and sj (moved to bottom ring when excited!). Tried a few different types inc waterford, french link and traditional snaffle type mouth bits and all worked great. I found the tom thumb helped him to work great in an outline (which is apparently what they are designed for according to my instructor) but did little for the brakes. Good luck!

 

[dibbin]

Yup, my friend's big WB is ridden in a Tom Thumb as he doesn't have the best brakes sometimes. It has a mouthpiece with copper rollers and copper rings round the centre section.

He always seems perfectly happy in it, and it works!

 

[Asha]

Tha'ts very kind, but this is where i may hit a snag, she's a 6" normally, due to being an Ox X Tank!!!! all the ones I've seen only go up to a 51/2"

Found it, although it is a 51/2 inch. Sorry about that !

 

[LovesCobs]

Yep, I use one for gypsie cob, sweet iron and copper (shires) it was recommended to me. Really helps when he gets excited. He's fast and strong when jumping and cross country (with daughter not me!) and keeps him in line for me when we're hacking. Not too expensive so worth a try

 

[sleepykitten]

Thanks all, that's very helpful, I think I will give one a go as they aren't too expensive. Gotta be worth a try, although I'm slightly worried about the guys who say they went on t a Waterford Dutch gag to stop, as I'm using one now and can't haha Oh well, I can always send you all a postcard from wherever we end up!

 

[fuze]

Out of interest, would a tom thumb double as a snaffle if you were to attach reins to the higher ring? Does anyone use it as such?

 

[LovesCobs]

Out of interest, would a tom thumb double as a snaffle if you were to attach reins to the higher ring? Does anyone use it as such?

i have when a more novice rider was on him in the school. but i still wasnt sure if it may effect his mouth if they balanced on the reins at all (as it's a loose ring)so i now have a second briddle with a hanging cheek snaffle.

 

[Toast]

I used to ride a cob at college in one. Before he went in it i used to have to run him into the arena wall to stop.
The tom thumb was great, no more blisters!!

 

[sleepykitten]

I've just read that you can even attach two reins to it if you want.