Tom Thumb Slow Twist Pelham Bit  E-mail this product to a friend

The Tom Thumb Slow Twist Pelham Snaffle Bit is made of stainless steel. Twisted snaffles are more severe than regular jointed snaffles. The ridges caused by the twisting make pressure points on the bars of the mouth. The more twisting, the more severe, and for that reason, the twisted wire snaffle is more severe than the bit shown on this page and a double twisted bit is even more severe than the single twist. Generally a Slow Twist bit is used for a horse that, for whatever reason, has become unresponsive to a regular snaffle. A slow twist like this might be useful when taking a horse out in company, where he might tend to get strong.
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 Slow Twist Pelham Snaffle bit is made of stainless steel and comes in 5" or 5 1/2" with 3 3/4" cheeks.

**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.