What Is a Tom Thumb Bit?

An excessive amount of equestrians erroneously consider a Tom Thumb bit to be a gentle snaffle bit. Nonetheless, the Tom Thumb bit’s jointed mouthpiece would in all probability not make it a snaffle—it is really a leverage bit. The Tom Thumb bit is a extra extreme and uncomfortable bit than many individuals understand.

In unskilled palms, this explicit instrument may be fairly a harsh bit, which might set off your horse to object on account of discomfort it causes. Attributable to that, the horse could seem to misbehave, which is harmful for the rider and the animal.

The Look of a Tom Thumb Bit

Tom Thumb bits have a jointed mouthpiece and medium-length shanks that alter from 5 to seven inches extended. The headstall of the bridle attaches to the rings on the extreme, and a curb chain or strap attaches to the D-shaped slots.

There are a selection of types of mouthpieces discovered on Tom Thumb bits, together with fairly just a few types of rubber and synthetics, rollers, and copper or copper-inlaid strips. These bits have shanks, though they’re shorter than many western bits, nonetheless nonetheless making it a leverage bit. Leverage bits signifies that each pound of stress that the rider areas on the reins, the horse will really actually really feel that stress occasions three.

The curb chain is an important a part of this (and all) curb bit and will at all times be adjusted precisely. A curb strap of leather-based or artificial provides may be used as an alternative of a sequence to forestall the bit from rotating contained in the horse’s mouth too far.

The Makes use of of a Tom Thumb Bit

Many horse lovers disagree on the severity of the Tom Thumb bit. Due to it’s jointed, it has a nutcracker motion contained in the mouth. Mixed with the leverage motion geared up by the shanks, the bit will apply stress to the horse’s head over the ballot and beneath the chin on account of the curb chain or strap pulls upward. If the reins are pulled onerous, the joint contained in the mouthpiece bends and will may be discovered contact with the roof of the horse’s mouth. It can set off the horse to toss its head, which isn’t protected.

Utilizing a Tom Thumb Bit Appropriately

The Tom Thumb is labeled as a foul bit by some, nonetheless like all bit, it is determined by why it’s getting used, and the pliability of the patron. Tom Thumb bits are principally utilized by youthful or small riders who’re making an attempt to take care of a stout, insensitive horse.

For educated riders, if the Tomb Thumb bit is getting used to make your horse cease quicker, you could consider why your horse isn’t stopping inside the primary place. Though a bit could make your horse cease quicker contained in the quick time interval, a horse is likely to be taught to disregard the bit, simply because it has the earlier bit it wore and may want one completely different stronger bit down the street. As an alternative of amplifying the rein aids with an extended shanked curb bit or one completely different sort of bit, it’s typically elevated to teach each the horse and the rider.