Tom Thumb - useful?

[sloulou]

Has anyone tried this bit:

and have anything to say about it - good or bad? What have you found it useful for? I'm just looking for options for my tank!

 

[sillygillyhorse]

A very useful bit, I used it on a M/W TB eventer who had a habit of getting a bit heavy in front and running through my hand, went beautifully in this.

 

[Bounty]

Ask CotswoldSJ! x

 

[KatB]

Yep, fab bit, Cos of its "dimensions" its not severe, but is just enough to kep respect. Has a slight elevator action.

 

[sloulou]

That sounds good - he can have a tendency to pull down and run... and various other things

Have any of you tried that particular one? (Think it is copper roller in middle) Or recommend another type?

Is the action similar to a cheltenham gag then? Rather than a dutch gag?

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

Used it on my old horse who was an eventer/schoolmaster 16yrs IDxTB. 16.2hh Built like a brick xxxx house he was LOL

I didn't like it for him because he used to lean on it and run off. But he was hell of a strong and ended up using a slotted mouth kimberwick on him when we were hacking / xc-ing.

I've heard good things about it though from others, I think my boy was pretty knowlegable about evading bits. He was pretty knowlegable about most things TBH.

 

[KatB]

Ive used that exact one, I think that is the most common. Mine has 4rings in the middle though!! Not sure re. cheltenham or dutch, but it seems to keep them more relaxed through their jaw.

 

[sloulou]

Aahh now yours sounds a bit like mine - am having real trouble finding something to suit him!

He's 16 yr old ID x TB too - although 15.3 and not hugely built.

Kimblewick been tried on mine before apparently and he used to set against it.

I have cherry roller balding gag and the mo - which works, but is so much metal.... and it doesn't stop him completely.

In case anyone is wondering - I am schooling to work on this too - but hacking is a nightmare!

 

[sloulou]

Thanks - v. useful!

 

[flyingfeet]

They are a fab bit - obviously I prefer our version which goes up to a 6"!

I use it on a SJ that had tendancy to stick his head down before a jump.

These are weird little bits, they work nothing like a continental gag and give you the ability to lift the head.

They are also milder than they look

 

[sloulou]

Would you say they would be useful on a horse that has a tendency to lean/ set against bits?

Also - would the copper roller one be better for a horse that leans or a trans lozenge one?

So many questions!

 

[flyingfeet]

Depends what your horse is currently leaning against and why. You've mentioned a kimblewick, which is easy to lean on. The cherry roller gag you mentioned, is probably single jointed and if so could annoy him.

I cannot say I am a fan of rollers, i'd probably swap to a waterford first.

Is you problem him running off with you? Or just being heavy?

 

[sloulou]

He does both actually...

He doesn't always lean - but I swapped from a cherry roller (which he came in - not gag) to one with a barrel (a pessoa thing) - and he began to lean on my hands alot, just in that bit. So I went back to the cherry roller - with the gag option for hacking.

Once he is trotting or canter it takes a long (very long) time to slow him down - this is especially a problem when I am jumping or cantering out on a ride. I also find if he spooks he will spin and run - and it takes a bit of time to get him back. He's doing less of this now tho.

Schooling he is not so bad...

I find he often throws his head up and down if I pull on the bit - which is why I am worried it's not right.

 

[flyingfeet]

I'd probably be mean and stick him in a long shanked lozenge pelham for hacking / fast work. So I have immediate brakes - then again I don't tolerate any of mine running off!

The tom thumb might be a nice bit to progress to - but to be brutally honest if he is p*ssing off in a running gag, it may not be enough right now.

That said you can always add an american curb to these bits which gives you extra brakes for fast work and that would be cheaper than buying a pelham and one of these....

 

[sloulou]

This is really helpful - is actually driving me mad as he is a bit of a jekyl and hyde!

Sorry to keep asking you for advice - but is so helpful - would you use roundings with a lozenge pelham? Or two reins?

American curb to the tom thumb do you mean?

must check out ebay!

 

[Drummer]

This post is also useful to me so thank you!!

 

[flyingfeet]

For this sort of remedial schooling, I would always use 2 reins - that way your soft when he's soft and when he p*sses off he gets a clear message the you require an immediate stop.

One of my favourite exercises on babies / reschooling is to take them into large green field let them go and then require them to completely halt in different places. This really gets them listening and appreciate the fact you could ask them to stop anywhere (and not just at the end of the field!).

Yes you can attach an american curb (a curb with buckles) to the top ring, it sits higher up, but has the same basic effect.

 

[Evil_Cookie]

Not sure if this is relevant, I read it a while ago, is rather intresting:

http://www.todayshorse.com/Articles/TroublewithTomThumb.htm

Wouldn't use the bit myself.

 

[flyingfeet]

Not really relevant here - that's a US single jointed tom thumb (middle in the pic)

Nothing like what we are discussing......

 

[KatB]

Thats a different bit.

 

[sloulou]

Ok - cool, am going to try a pelham as I think I can borrow one to try out.

And if we had an nice grassy field I would try that too

maybe one for the spring! Having said that - there are tracks I can try it on.

Really really good advice - thanks! If it goes well I'm going to your website to buy one!

 

[hunteress]

I use the top bit for hunting and put pelham roundings on it or you can ride with 2 reins you shouldn't realy use bottom ring on its own. its a lovely uncomplicated little bit.

 

[madgirl]

use the exact bit (first one) for hunting love it he is in a snaffle usually but goes well out hunting in tom thumb

 

[brighteyes]

Now that looks like a much nicer version and way pref to an American gag. Oddly, I bet it's not Pony Club legal (the Tom Thumb isn't) yet the American Gag is.

 

[flyingfeet]

Again its very different from an american gag - the mouth peice does not slide.

Not sure about the Pony Club, but given they are anal about most things I guess its probably banned....

Still cannot get over their hat ruling - no large ventilation holes even if Kitemarked!