So as it turned out, Susan, Sage, Maya and I headed out for a trail ride with Brandy, Judge, Pimms, and Atticus. Yvonne and Eve stayed back to work with Wookie in the round pen. However, shortly after we headed out, my stirrup leather broke, so I had to turn around and go home. After changing out my stirrup leathers, I decided to head to the round pen to try a new bit on Atticus and help out with Wookie.
The bit (a French link Dutch gag) worked great. Normally, Atticus goes in a full cheek french link gag with two reins, like so:
This is because when we started him over jumps, he was prone to getting excited and throwing some big bucks! The gag rein works to lift his head to stop any bucking. However, it can be a severe action, so the snaffle rein works as a simple snaffle bit. The full cheek has been useful in training him to the one rein stop.
I like using two reins, because I can have a mild one for normal work and a stronger one in case of emergency. I have used various forms of double reins on several of my horses over the years... for example, one rein on a rope halter as a bitless bridle, and a second on a light bit.
At any rate, I wanted to try something with some curb action, to make working him in a frame a little easier, so I thought I'd try the Dutch gag (or "bubble bit"). I also used two reins, so I had the option of only using the snaffle action, or adding curb action. It worked very well, but I am not sure it would do anything to raise his head if he did want to buck. At any rate, he seems to be over the silly antics of his younger years, so I am not too concerned.
So all that aside, after working Wookie on the ground a bit, Eve sat on him and had Yvonne lead her around. Wookie did just fine, and I hope to borrow my neighbor's child, who apparently does pony races, to finish his under saddle training!
