Bit for Standardbred

Question
I adopted a 9 year-old Standardbred gelding retired from the racetrack in November. He is a pretty good boy and will allow you to do anything with him most of the time.  He has become herd bound and when I ride him he has begun to react negatively when I ask him to move away from the herd or barn.  He has begun to buck and developed this little pop-ups in front.  I currently use a Tom Thumb bit because I was told that is the bit that the foster owner had used on him.  I am wondering if this bit is causing a chain reaction when he starts to act up on me.  I pull him to guide him to go one way or have to hold tight on the bit to not let him lower his head to try to buck and I think then the bit begins to get to him.  Do you have any suggestions for a bit for him?  He tosses his head alot too but he will even do that with just a halter on him when I do ground work with him.  I have had his teeth checked and they are good.   I can deal with the head tossing but I don't like to think I am adding to the other problems with the type of bit I have for him.  Thank You

Answer
Dear Irma,

I really don't think the bit is the problem. It sound like he is, as you have already said, heardbound. I am concerned that hes antics will escalate into rearing and possibly falling over. I think it would be a great idea to find a qualified trainer to help you work with your horse. Start on the ground with lunging. He needs to redevelop a work ethic. When that is going well start doing some ridng with your trainer. You may have to do trail rides with company until you get this worked out.

Don't give up, but do be very careful. Try reading up on some of the John Lyons techniques. I am not a devotee of him, but he has really good ideas for working with this kind of stuff.

Warm regards,
Shannon