I've only owned a handful of THW's but there are alot of owners in my area. (Shelbyville is only 45 minutes from me, the Home of the TWH's) -I've used everything from a plain broken snaffle to a light broken curb. I personally do not prefer the curbs with sharp corners. Some of the big-time TWH owners and breeders use the very long-shanked bits like you see in the shows.

I have a great friend and mentor who is 65+ years old and has been breeding top quality Walkers for 50 odd years. He has 3-4 stallions with Pusher blood, Go boy Elvis, and some others (I'm not at all up on my Walking horse lines lol). He uses alot of light broken curbs which seem to work very well for his more experienced riding horses. I'm pretty sure he starts in snaffles or just light rope halters.

Well theres' my two cents worth! Someone else might be able to help you out more.

I don't ride Walkers, but I do ride other gaited horses. I stick w/the least severe bit possible. In theory they can be ridden w/nothing more than a D ring snaffle, but not everyone feels that way, so my recommendation would be to start w/the easiest bit you have and see how he goes in a confined area, that way he can't take off with you. I do find w/the mountain horses that a very small shank works well, it helps w/collection and head set. A friend of mine has been using an Argentine Snaffle on her 3 yr old mare and she does awesome with it.