My 4 Favorite Curb Bits… Plus 1 That’s VERY BAD For Your Horse!

These are the curb bits I like the most… plus a bit I feel is VERY BAD for your horse. You’ll discover the difference between a GOOD bit and a BAD bit. Click on “SHOW MORE” below for helpful information and links.
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[@lynnhayes2363]

I don't recommend a Tom Thumb for all the reasons you gave. But I had one horse who absolutely loved it. Wore it for 20 years. Pitched a fit any time I tried a different bit. Sometimes you gotta listen to your horse.

[@kenmorris2290]

A friend of mine who rode with the Oregon State equestrian team back in (I think!) the 1960s, back when Sgt. Paul Rutland (U.S. Cavalry) was running it, said that Sgt. Rutland had the students put all their Tom Thumbs (shanked snaffles) in a barrel, to add to the teaching collection of "bits you should never use." Tom Thumbs are mechanically bad bits, and this has been known for decades. So I really don't understand why anyone who calls themselves a "professional horse trainer" still uses them.

[@DataPilot370]

I rode on the University of Oregon equestrian team back in the 1970s and competed against OSU. They always beat us, badly. 😂

[@N0TAC00LK1D]

Bits were created as a means of communication with the horse using pressure on the mouth. Unfortunately, too many idiots exist that don't use them properly and now in the equestrian world people think a certain, more painful bit is going to solve all their problems. (Like I saw a bit at the tack store the other day that looked like a jagged bike chain. WTF) It's how you USE a bit that will get the horse responding to you, not the type of bit. Really awful to see all these high-level figureheads in equestrian sport with little to no horsemanship, ripping the hell out of a horse's mouth so he'll jump around the course better and you'll win your shiny trophy. Ugh. Sorry went on a bit of a rant there I just can't stand people riding horses to that level of competition and either not knowing how to use a bit or just being content in abusing their animal for their own gain.

[@ltrocha]

Hopefully, horse owners recognize what a bit is and how to use it correctly.

[@millercornbread]

i actually use the first bit thank you so much for telling me i will go look for some better ones ive been wondering why my horse has been acting mean thank you

[@allenlopez3378]

😊

[@camillehank7617]

Larry your sooooo right abt that TOM THUMB.AT ONE TIME .that was the bit to use according to the trainers..i had to figure it out myself.you are sooooo right abt.all these BITS....

[@ltrocha]

Hi Camille, Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated

[@HeatherDMorris]

I had no idea about the Tom Thumb being so harsh. I used one on my perfect behaving mare just bc I bought her as a 3 year old and used that same type of bit she was sold with. Talk about a good horse. Never misbehaved in 13 years . I feel so bad . I was at least very gentle with her mouth thankfully but if I had only known I would not have used it !

[@DataPilot370]

I’ve been riding horses for over 50 years, and have never seen a horse do well in a Tom Thumb. Years ago, a friend of mine swore it was the best bit for her mare, despite the fact that the mare threw her head every time the bit engaged and nut-crackered her in the jaw. So, my friend added a short tie-down to the mix. I couldn’t talk her out of it, no matter how hard I tried. Are there any circumstances where you would recommend a snaffle mouthpiece on a leveraged bit? I love using plain snaffles without leverage, but I always use at least a low port with leveraged bits for tongue relief. I own a couple of snaffle-mouth curb bits, but they’ve long been relegated to the bottom of my junk box.

[@cowboycowboy149]

My colt hate that beat. You are absolutely right.👍🏻 I just try him

[@horsehaircreationsbykaren]

I remember decades ago trying that bit, probably just came out. Tried it for about 10 minutes, gave it away

[@melodylady9516]

Funny story. Years ago when I was just starting out with horses, I bought a Tom Thumb because that's what the internet was touting. I never used that bit and it's still laying around some place I'm sure. I guess I had an innate knowledge that the bit just wasn't going to fly. Now I know why the Tom Thumb's really a bad bit; I recognized it right away. Thanks for the explanation!

[@ltrocha]

Melody, you're a smart lady! Good on you!

[@ac12201]

I like your style of teaching, simple black and white. Thank you very much.

[@loverfighterwildbullrider]

2:48 lol

[@Madisyn_Mustang_Makeover]

THANK YOU! I have a mustang that I have trained and about to ride in a couple of months!

[@ltrocha]

Non of these bits are intended to be used on an un-ridden horse. You need a ring snaffle bit.

[@Madisyn_Mustang_Makeover]

@@ltrocha ok thank you so much!

[@jessicagraf230]

When those joints get loose they get sharp .. I qas given an old one and it was well used and sharp. Wouldn't have noticed if I didnt pinch myself with it

[@victoriamorris7619]

I had the same thing happen but we used a Dremel and smoothed it out. It’s my horse’s favorite but because it’s good & rusty on the mouthpiece and easier to hold on to. Adding Vaseline on the edges will help the horse adjust too & protect the sides of their mouth.

[@Conny226]

What is a good bit for trail riding my horse is 14 he is a Buckskin pony 13.6 hands he had been in a snuffle bit with a big golden roller in the middle I don’t like the way it is it pinched my finger if I lay it on it.He does not willingly give me his head for a one rein stop he is a little stubborn but I am working on it .

[@jordanwhite5470]

So, what IS the correct ratio between purchase length and shank length?

[@murphyshsu]

Good info!!! Thank you for posting!

[@ltrocha]

My pleasure, Murphy. I meant to do this months ago but never got around to it.

[@erynd2524]

I hate Tom Thumb bits. When I discovered how ghastly they are, I promptly took it and threw it in the trash. I did not want that thing in my house. At all.

[@Conny226]

I wished you had a complete picture of the low port bit

[@Conny226]

Thanks

[@dannilyngeitner1306]

what’s you most recommended bit that’s not harsh but will make them listen during gaming?

[@ltrocha]

Without me knowing the horse, that's impossible to answer

[@kenmorris2290]

It's not a bit that makes them listen. It's training. Which allows them to engage the thinking brain rather than the emotional "run away" brain. If the horse isn't "listening" is it because he doesn't understand what is being asked?

[@victoriamorris7619]

Could you tell the brand of that first correction bit? I’ve been trying to find the right one.

[@ltrocha]

partrade

[@victoriamorris7619]

@@ltrocha thank you very much!

[@jessicagraf230]

What would you do with a horse that really overly bendy in the body and head and neck..

[@ltrocha]

Hi Jessica, let the horse bend just a little and immediately apply your legs or spurs to move his body in the direction you want to go. Get his body moving BEFORE he has a chance to over-bend his neck. BTW, the term is called "rubber necking". I had a horse like this when I was a kid. Good luck.

[@jessicagraf230]

@@ltrocha Thank you, I will try that, he is good off the leg. 😁

[@charlenesterken2604]

I agree

[@HeatherDMorris]

Quick question Larry . I bought a horse and all was great until...I ran out in a field..and I'm a strong girl! Lifting weights for over 5 years. Well, I had to man handle this horse for about 30 ft till he stopped. The sellers are telling me I'm not strong enough and it's my fault but recommend a correctional bit. I was riding in what they sold him to me in , a short shank snaffle bit. That are saying ride him in a low port correctional bit . Am I just waiting for him to get upset and buck me off because he hates the correctional bit ? I hate it when horse traders leave out small but bad details about a horse! Any advice? Sell horse and inform them of his issue and loose money or try the other bit ?

[@ltrocha]

Simply train the horse to give you control. It's not difficult to do. Watch my free youtube videos or go to my website and purchase a membership to an online training course.

[@HeatherDMorris]

@@ltrocha ok. I have one at the trainer with a very soft mouth being trained for reining and I was used to be very easy with her , so nice ! Ok. Thank you for the advice! Love your videos .

[@animalover9000]

Update on the horse? What did you decide to do? Sounds like they wanted to find a way to blame you for something they didnt tell you about

[@KeithNorwood-vg2eq]

Any bit in the wrong hands can hurt a horse

[@ltrocha]

Very true

[@nessar2378]

Links to the bits?

[@ltrocha]

billfreemanbits.com/

[@HeatherDMorris]

Gotta say, it was funny when you meant to say this bit will pinch and you said this bitch ; ) too funny

[@eziquielantunes1238]

👍👏

[@debbiedephillippi5183]

I don't see the link to the bits

[@ltrocha]

Click "SHOW MORE" in the description box below the video.

[@markrutkowski326]

The links did not show up at the bottom of the video on my utube.

[@ltrocha]

@@markrutkowski326 Mark, see the description box directly below the video? Click on "SHOW MORE" and the box will expand revealing the links.

[@jameshornung4596]

To be a horse trainer or to tell people what bit is good or bad, you have to be a sales man with over confidence. The Dorrances Tom and Bill know horsemanship they told people about feel and touch you ride a horse with your whole body, snaffle plain is very good. Horse trainers and horsemanship are too different things. It's all about signals. That's it.

[@ltrocha]

True but there are also "facts" about what works and what doesn't. Vast experience is as good a teacher as anything.

[@dakota4kendall]

Preferred snaffle?

[@ltrocha]

0-ring snaffle 7/16 or 3/8 inch diameter. 5 to 5.5 inches wide.

[@kellyriley7918]

I still see far to many of these terrible bits- Tom thumb- bring used sadly.

[@ltrocha]

Very true

[@user-rk1sn4sy3p]

ליקנות

[@markrutkowski326]

Show more

[@ltrocha]

Hi Mark, I plan on doing that. Thanks for your feedback.