Tom Thumb Rubber Pelham Snaffle Bit  E-mail this product to a friend

The Tom Thumb Rubber Pelham Snaffle Bit has a soft, smooth, jointed mouthpiece. The soft rubber encourages chewing, acceptance and salivation. Although this bit is called a snaffle, because of the tom thumb short shanks it's actually a leverage or curb bit. It's used with a curb chain, which tightens under the chin as the bit rotates in the horse's mouth. As the bit rotates, the nutcracker action of the broken mouthpiece acts on the tongue and bars of the mouth. The Tom Thumb snaffle, also known as a shanked snaffle or a broken leverage snaffle, can be a severe bit in uneducated hands as can any bit. These bits are popular with ponies and in the medal/equitation classes. The Tom Thumb Pelham Snaffle bit is made of stainless steel and comes in 4 3/4", 5" or 5 1/2" with 3 3/4" cheeks.

** Always inspect rubber bits regularly for wear & tear from the horse chewing on the bit and replace when necessary.

**TIP: A pelham works on several parts of a horses mouth, depending on which rein is applied.

• The bars: applied by the mouthpiece, and directly related to the length of the shank of the bit. The curb chain and a high port can also increase the pressure placed on the bars of the mouth.
• The tongue: applied by the mouthpiece, with the pressure related to the thickness and type of mouthpiece.
• The roof of the mouth: only applicable if the mouthpiece of the pelham has a high port, or if it is jointed.
• The poll: severity is directly related to the length of the upper shank in relation to the lower shank. All pelhams apply at least a little pressure on the poll.
• The chin groove: pressure applied by the curb chain when the curb rein is used.
• Side of the jaws: a pelham may add some pressure to the sides of the jaw due to its length.