Whats the differences between the two tom thumbs?

OK, I had a look on Google and found these...

From an American site, it's apparently a snaffle, despite the huge long shanks. :confused:
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This one is made by Cottage craft.
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This one is made by Shires.
81610.jpg


Mikmar does various Tom Thumb pelhams, this is the standard one.
tom_pelham.jpg


They are all so different and yet all are called a 'Tom Thumb' bit. I am now confused.
 
The sweet iron with copper rollers (made by shires in your list) is what I have always known to be a Tom Thumb, and what my big lad goes best in!
 
that last one looks horrible!, the farrier finally came like 3/4 weeks late and said she has short heals and long toes so were her toes grow the presure on her heals get more and cause they were late the presure must of be worse and making her alot sore when stepping on it ! resulting in her feeling 'off' on her front
so lunged her tonight and she looked fine again :D
 
At least it wasn't just me who was confused ;) was starting to doubt myself.

Someone said they are really severe (the ones we've agreed on as english tom thumbs with copper rollers) yet a friend of mine uses one on her four year old.

Are they severe? I know as with all things it depends on the rider but I assume they have some poll pressure due to the shanks but won't be as severe as a curb. Also are the copper rollers designed to stop leaning?

Just wondering why people use them (not in a OMG I can't believe you do such a thing way though!!!)
 
Faracat said:
OK, I had a look on Google and found these...

From an American site, it's apparently a snaffle, despite the huge long shanks. :confused:
25-5124.jpg


.
Click to expand...

These are what are known as Tom Thumbs where I live:

http://www.pleasantridge.ca/tom_thumb_snaffle.htm

Quote from: http://www.englishhabit.com/tom-thumb-bit.aspx

[Tom Thumb Bit
Tom Thumb snaffle bit.These bits all are actually curb bits because they have shanks and operate with leverage. Thus, when the reins are pulled, the horse is subjected both to the nutcracker action of the jointed mouthpiece and the leverage of the curb, which also causes the jointed bit to rotate and press into the tongue. Therefore, such bits can be very harsh, particularly in the hands of an inexperienced rider. Adding a solid "slobber bar at the end of the shanks may reduce, but does not eliminate, this.]
 
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I use one on Roy because he likes to have something to play with, and loves sweet iron. It also means I just have to touch the reins rather than hauling on them like I do in a snaffle!

When he's got his tom thumb in, he works beautifully in an outline with fab self carriage, and you can see flashes of the grand prix horse he used to be... when he's in a snaffle, we do giraffe running at 200mph impressions... not cool! I use it with one rein, but have used it with two on my four year old. He was leaning on the forehand and running away through the bridle, and so now gets schooled every now and then in a tom thumb, which is making the world of difference.

I don't let ANYONE near Roy as he's too precious, and the youngster is only ridden by people whose hands I trust¬
 
sounds like me im getting my arms pulled out in a snaffle and thats one bit she went nice in so was thinking of getting one (:
no im not with my horse either i let people ride her i broke my coller bone now her jumping problem is back to square one.. NOT happy :o
 
enfys said:
These are what are known as Tom Thumbs where I live:

http://www.pleasantridge.ca/tom_thumb_snaffle.htm

Quote from: http://www.englishhabit.com/tom-thumb-bit.aspx

[Tom Thumb Bit
Tom Thumb snaffle bit.These bits all are actually curb bits because they have shanks and operate with leverage. Thus, when the reins are pulled, the horse is subjected both to the nutcracker action of the jointed mouthpiece and the leverage of the curb, which also causes the jointed bit to rotate and press into the tongue. Therefore, such bits can be very harsh, particularly in the hands of an inexperienced rider. Adding a solid "slobber bar at the end of the shanks may reduce, but does not eliminate, this.]
Click to expand...

Just been nosy as I love looking on different countries websites. Anyway Enfys hopefully you can help.... I looked on the Pro Choice bits and there were a selection of sliding gags and things I can't remember the names of! What would you use these bits for and what would you be hoping to achieve? I am assuming they are western bits and maybe for sharpness (as in you want a sharp response when you touch the horses mouth)?
 
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