Question:
We wrote to you a few months ago about our horse's teeth(we had just purchased him).We had the vet check his teeth & they needed floated badly. He's fine now. We've been using a Tom Thumb bit & he does pretty well with it but he tends to start lowering his head. Do you have any suggestions on how to keep his head up? thank you,
Stacy
Answer:
I dislike "Tom Thumb" bits! They are NOT a snaffle bit! They are a broken mouth curb bit. Your horse is lowering his head to get away from the "nut cracker" effect these bits create. When rein pressure is applied the broken mouth piece folds upward digging/poking the roof of his mouth. We start our young horses in a D Ring snaffle then graduate them to a short shanked, long throw, curb bit.
Blatant Advertisement!  I have started carrying the bits that I recommend as they are hard to find in a lot of places. Here is a link to them:  Bits and Tack--Old Cowboy Horse and Hoof Supply House
Bob