Barrel racing and pole bending bits

Question

I have a pony that I just started speed shows last year he has been winning but I have a tom thumb bit in him and He has a lite mouth he doesn't need much and I would like to use a barrel racing or pole bending bit in him but I don't know what Kind of bit to use or what kind of bit are out

Answer 1

this is the best bit out there for speed events and precision turning. I use a long shank combo with a hard twist for my qh. But on my appy who has a sensitive mouth, I use the long shank with a broken soft twist and hack combo. it is called the million dollar bit and as soon as I switched my horse to this bit he collected himself,turned amazingly, and stopped on a dime. These bits are amazing.

Here is an example . This one is a short shank with a broken twist. I would forget the rubber bumpers on the sides though I find them annouying.

http://www.barrelracers.com/Merchant/mer...

Answer 2

A tomb thumb is not a harsh bit at all! If its a thick one, now a thin tomb thumb is severe. I am using a short shanked snaffle, in my AQHA and he does great. Just keep in mine the milder the beter, like you said!

hope this works for you as well as it does me. Good Luck!

Answer 3

i run in a tom thumb or a hack combo. now im going to be running my mare in an indian hackamore which is like a hack except opposite sided pressure.. i havent tried her in that in a pattern to make sure she doesnt run away with me, but if you can get away with no bit, i would do it.

if not, try a simple d-ring snaffle.

Answer 4

tom thumb is what i run mine in, its what alot of people run theirs in...if he goes well in it keep using it  

Answer 5

well om my QHorses I use a broken bit on them to barrel race and pole bend.........

Answer 6

If he is going good in the tom, then keep him in it, otherwise you could switch to a snaffle if he doesn't get too unruly during speed events.  Stick to what you both are comfortably with, unless a problem arises, then pick a bit (or a hack) which will suitably correct said problem efficiently.  Good Luck, remember not always to run the snot outta your horse, or he will quickly become sour of speed events, trail ride whenever possible & keep up with an event like pleasure to keep his slower gaits correct as well :)  

Answer 7

i use a western curb

a lot of people dont like these bits but they always work for me