6/ AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 THE RIDER MY SPIN: Effective Bits Example #2: My Name is Tom Thumb


effective bit, I want to point out to you an article I did on my website on the history of bits to refresh your memory on why we use bits. History of Bits. (www.reinersuehorsemanship.com/200 9/03/history-of-bits.html)


Bottom line is: It’s about com-


munication. I’ve been fascinated about bits for decades. If you want my take on busting myths and disinfo on bits, I would highly recommend you search for the numerous articles I’ve written on my website www.reinersuehorse- manship.com for more information.


Will The Real Tom Thumb Please Stand Up A lot of people still use this type


By Susan Dahl. This is one of my favorites. Back by


popular demand... Meet ‘ole Tom Thumb. I like to pick on this Tom! :) When I was a kid back in the ‘60’s in Essex County Ontario, almost every rider was using this bit. I remember my Dad having this bit. Before I get started on why this is NOT an


of bit - at least in my area here. It’s gen- erally called a transition bit - transi- tioning a horse from a snaffle bit to their first curb (or leverage) bit. I would call it a ‘stuck at this level’ bit. Is it a ‘training snaffle’ - even though it’s not a snaffle at all!? It’s technically in the category of a ‘combo’ type of bit. I will do a separate series on combo bits soon.


I really like combo bits. I remember doing a bit eval-


uation many years ago for a local lady rider and her father showed me a tom thumb training snaffle - similar to the one shown at the end of this article (only not with the copper roller in the middle). I told him jokingly how I use those types of bits for wind chimes and/or toilet paper holder decora- tions! :) I kid you not! He had a really shocked look on his face but it got him thinking!


A Little Bit Better The original Tom Thumb bit is


not effective because of the jointed mouthpiece (any bit with a jointed mouthpiece) will have the now famous ‘nut cracker’ effect. I really hate this. It causes pain. This bit was made a little bit better with the addition of a copper barrel in the mouthpiece to prevent the bit from having the nutcracker effect and with the shanks being slightly curved back. So if you’re going to stay loyal to


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Tom, I would suggest getting the ver- sion that has the copper roller in the mouthpiece, the curbed back shanks, the 1/2 rings on the shank (to make it a combo bit). And of course the curb chain (not shown). Good luck in your relationship


with Tom.


Putting My Spin On Curbs Bits Who Want to Be Snaffle Bits Reinersue @KISS Reiners


About Susan Dahl Susan Dahl, ORHA/NRHA past multi- ple champion, writer, blogger, author and clinician, retired certified profes- sional horse trainer. Owner of Founda- tion Reining Training Centre in Durham, ON. She specializes in effec- tive horsemanship, and reining. For more information on her services: judg- ing, clinics or resale horses, please contact her on facebook, her website: www.reinersuehorseman ship.com or reinersue@hotmail.com


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