In a loom having a weft thread supply spool at each side thereof and a shuttle whereby thread from each spool is alternately carried across the shed as a U-shaped loop, improved thread guide elements, one on each end of the batten, are actuated in consequence of movement of the batten through each of its reversal positions, at one of which the batten engages the last-laid weft thread to beat up the same and at the other of which the batten begins its return for another beating-up while the shuttle moves through the shed. Each thread guide element comprises a member mounted on the batten for bodily movement therewith and for rocking movement relative thereto. Each such member rocks between a first position wherein a thread eye thereon is located to dispose weft thread extending from its adjacent spool across the shuttle path and a second position wherein the thread eye holds the thread clear of that path. Each member is rocked to its first position upon movement of the batten through its said one reversal position and to its second position upon movement of the batten through its said other reversal position. Rocking is imparted either by the inertia of a weight on the member, due to acceleration and deceleration of the batten incident to reversal of its motion, or by a friction or magnetic retarding device connected between the member and the loom frame.