Use of a tom thumb? AUSTRALIAN ONLY PLEASE?

Question

im wondering about aussie tom thumb snaffles. i use on my filly but not sure whether i should still be, my friend told me to use it on her she is only 3 she will be 4 soon. does this affect her training at all?

im just interested in some answers thanks.

Answer 1

hey i was told that they are a mild type of bit that are good for beginner and novice riders that are learning and that need a little help with steering, or that pull or yank on the bit.

Answer 2

I have been in Austraila with one of my horses and used a tom thumb snaffle their just to see if they were any better than english ones but they are just a harmful.

As the first answer said they do more harm than good. I hate them, my horse hates them and i will never use it on my horse again.

Answer 3

Australian Tom Thumbs are nothing like US or UK Tom Thumbs.  Here's a link:

http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/pic...

I've never used one, but it looks fine to me for a 3 or 4 year old.  I ALWAYS recommend against the US Tom Thumb, but this looks more like a full cheek snaffle (which I usually recommend in this situation).  Can you use it with keepers?

Answer 4

Tom Thumb is NOT a training bit. If your mare is 3yr DO NOT put it in her mouth!! It is for a well trained horse that knows how to carry himself & how to break at the poll. It will have a nut cracker effect on your horse right now. That is NOT a training bit!!!! You are going to hurt your mares mouth. Use that after her training.

****edit****

Zeph~~ Thank you for the info!!! Now I know!

Answer 5

I'm not from Australia but I'll answer your question anyway. In my experience with tom thumbs they do more harm then good, especially in the hands of a novice or on a young or green horse.

With a horse that young your best bet would be to stick with a regular or french link snaffle. o-ring, d-ring, egg-butt and full cheek are all good choices.

I find it best to stay in a snaffle, bosal or something similar until your and the horse are ready to advance to a different bit. tom thumbs if used in the wrong hands can be very harsh bits, and can easily ruin a young horses mouth.

**Edit**

I see that the Aussie tom thumb looks much like a full cheek snaffle, and if the mechanics of it are similar to that I say you're fine using it. What i was referring to was a US tom thumb, since that is all i know. Thanks for the info. Zaphania, You learn something new everyday.

Answer 6

Try a pinchless bit.  They are awesome.   The horse will be concentrating on you instead of the pain a snaffle or any broken bit creates.  Robart or Myler have some awesome bits.      I am not sure where you are in your training, but learning to use your seat and leg cues is step one, not the use of the bit.  I am not Australian either, but a broken bit is universal :)  Good luck!

Answer 7

Certainly don't change bits just for the sake of changing bits. The photo shown is of a direct pressure bit, but with extended leverage due to the position of the rings.  It does not work in the same manner as a full cheek snaffle; it will exert a greater nutcracker effect in the mouth.

A simple direct pressure snaffle bit with a single jointed mouthpiece is suitable for young horses, but the extended rings of this bit may put more leverage on the horse than she needs. Basically, I'd say most problems with young horses are education issues and not "need a stronger bit" issues.  I personally would stay with a simple ring snaffle of some sort and consult a knowlegable trainer if you are having problems.

Answer 8

Tom Thumb bits break in the middle.  This can be confusing to some horse.  Altho they are considered mild bits, my horse and I both hate them.