The difference between these 2 bits? *pics*

[starbar]

OK, so I went shopping this morning for a full cheek, loose ring snaffle.....like this.

they didn't have one in stock and I need it asap, hence not buying on line....but they did have this

Now, to me they look very similar except the second one has shorter cheeks and what you can't see on this picture is that the cheeks are not fully rounded....they are flat on one side (not the side next to the horses mouth, this is rounded). What is confusing me even more is the second one (which I have bought) is a Korsteel bit that they are calling a Tom Thumb snaffle. To me, this is not a Tom Thumb snaffle, they have shanks and a fairly severe curb action.

Am I missing something, or will the bit I have bought do the job just as well as the bit I wanted?

I know this should probably be in the Stable Yard forum but there are more people viewing here! Thanks

 

[Meowy Catkin]

This would be good in the UK/USA thread because (I believe) your photo shows a UK tom thumb snaffle bit. The one with shanks and a curb is an American tom thumb bit.

American tom thumb (this would not be considered a snaffle in the UK)

 

[chickeninabun]

I have seen this called a Tom Thumb bit too.
I believed it was the same as a full cheek/fulmer snaffle, but with shorter, rounder shanks to stop children being injured by a horse rubbing it's head on you.

 

[skychick]

The bottom is a uk tom thumb bit.

TBH i dont really know the difference between the two......but often when people say tom thumb bits...people think of the american one....which is alot more severe.

The top one is a fulmer snaffle. My mare is in the top one. But tbh......you dont see them in very many places!

I would imagine the uk tom thumb to do a similar job to the fulmer....but im not 100% sure so dont take my word for it. But the fulmers are definately more tricky to get hold of for some reason.

 

[starbar]

I have seen this called a Tom Thumb bit too.
I believed it was the same as a full cheek/fulmer snaffle, but with shorter, rounder shanks to stop children being injured by a horse rubbing it's head on you.

Yep, I'm of the same opinion. Having had a good ponder and play around with it, I wouldn't see how the action was any different to the full cheek loose ring I was after. I did just want to make sure I wasn't missing anything and being a numpty!