Question on Tom Thumb bit

[rcm_73]

Am I right in thinking that a Tom Thumb can be used with one rein, two reins or roundings and can also be used with a curb chain attached? I have been using one rein on the top ring which I suppose would give the bit a snaffle action only? I presume though if I were to use a curb for jumping then it would only be effective if I also used a rein attached to the bottom ring or roundings? Used many different types of bit but this is the first time I've used this type and the horse seems to be going well with the one rein but can't see me being able to hold her with it if I were to do fast work.

 

[Tia]

A Tom Thumb bit is used with one rein on the rein ring which is at the bottom of the shank. The top ring is for the cheekpieces and the slit ring next to this one is for the curb strap as shown below.

 

[hunteress]

Hi I use my Tom thumb american gag for hunting my boy is normally in a snaffle but just for extra brakes its an ace little bit nice and small not a lot in the mouth like some of these other gags I use my pelham roundings on it and its fine thats the way it should be used then just add your reins ive never used a curb chain attached to it, the eventing lot used this bit about ten years ago it was the in thing but I still think its a lovely little bit, kind regards.

 

[sillygillyhorse]

I am assuming the tom thumb you are referring to is the sweet iron one, not the one shown in the post above (which is a tom thumb but I would normally expect to see that type on as the curb on a double bridle). Yes you can use them with two reins, roundings or a curb. I have only ever used mine on the bottom ring. Would imagine if you used a curb on it then technically it would give a far clearer action if you used double reins. Do know someone who sj's with one of these bits and two reins but dont think they use curb. They are useful bits and not expensive.

 

[KatB]

Yep they are lovely neat bits, and seem to give breaks without being too harsh. I have only ever seen it used on the bottom, and use mine, like Huntress for hunting with my normally snaffle mouthed boy.

 

[hunteress]

Yes Mrs T mine is a sweetiron one its a neat little bit.

 

[flyingfeet]

Yes you are right on the rein combinations

Like others I tend to use the bottom ring only and find this a really good little bit, very similar action to the NS jumper.

Remember if braking is an issue you can always add a curb as shown in the piccy above.

 

[Tia]

QR

Sorry to be pedantic here.....but you lot are seriously confusing me!

A Tom Thumb bit does not have the facility to use 2 reins. It has the ring at the top for the cheekpieces and the side-slit for the curb strap and the bottom ring for the reins. There is no option to place the reins anywhere else........

An American Gag is an American Gag and is not a Tom Thumb bit. A Tom Thumb bit is a short-shanked snaffle-mouthed curb bit. In English it is the second bit within a double bridle. In Western it is exactly the same bit but no bradoon is used.

If you are all talking about a Tom Thumb pelham.....then you are talking about a pelham which happens to be miniature sized but is actually still a pelham and is not a Tom Thumb bit.

Please enlighten me someone

.

 

[KatB]

http://www.equineman.com/images/stephens_horse_bits_uk/equine_horse_bits10.jpg

 

[flyingfeet]

The US tom thumbs look like this:

Pic

The UK tom thumb is a hybrid version, which looks more like a little american gag.

 

[rcm_73]

Thanks all for your advice, I chose this bit on CotswoldSJ's advice (many thanks) for a TB mare, it's the sweet iron & copper scrob type. My horse seems to be going a whole load better since I started using this bit and also NAF Magic in her feed. I knew it wasn't a tooth or back issue as these had already been rasped & checked respectively. I currently use the top ring as I like to use a Market Harborough, do you think that would be accetable if the rein were on the bottom ring? She is a typical fussy mouthed TB & has to be ridden with minimal contact but she does also have the capability of getting a hold of the bit and tanking off! Running martingales are pretty useless with her, she throws her head as if constantly checking if it's still there.

 

[KatB]

I dont think really you should use a market harborough with anything other than a snaffle. I do agree Tom Thumbs are very nice little bits though.

 

[rcm_73]

Maybe I should keep this bit for jumping then & look around for a similar mouthpiece in a snaffle for schooling/hacking?

 

[sillygillyhorse]

you can get the sweet iron mouthpiece with snaffle loose rings. Shires do them.

 

[Tia]

Oh! Thanks for that. Crumbs that bit doesn't look anything like a Tom Thumb bit. I can see where the confusion has come from LOL!