Disclaimer*
The material and attendant photo illustrations found on this website are copyrighted © 2007 by R. J. Sagely. The reprinting or distribution of the whole or any part without express permission of the author is prohibited. This notice supercedes any other copyright notices and dates found herein.

The Californio Bridle Horse

by R. J. Sagely

What a picture... so much to see! 

He's groundtied in the vaquero fashion, meaning his reins are up around the horn. Why? He's likely packing a spade but regardless, the good vaquero would not risk him walking on those reins and hurting his mouth. Those reins would not come over his poll until it was time to take off the bridle. But where is his get down? 

I almost like where that saddle is setting. I guess I'd prop it just a little more forward so that center fire cincha would get up into the heartgirth a little more. Cause his bottom line is sure not going to hold the cincha up there the way some of our fatties will push it forward nowadays. Interesting how he goes almost in a straight line from between his legs up into his flanks. 

The headset on that horse. Now that is pretty. And it is not forced, it is just that horse holding that bit in his mouth in neutral. The reins show that there is some slack in them and that the horse isn't pushing on it or straining backward to get off the bit. If you think about how the port of a spade or half-breed is positioned you see without seeing that his headset is keeping the port in line with gravity so that it neither presses the bar on his tongue or pushes the spade onto his palate. 

It is a natural way of holding his head with that bit in his mouth. It would be near the same place with or without those reins on the bit or with even more slack in the reins. That is a nicely framed horse in the full bridle, a real treat to look at. 

His poll, parallel to the ground with his nose just a tad ahead of vertical, so relaxed looking and yet so at the ready. That sure isn't a western pleasure build, is it? Many conformation "experts" would say he is tied in too high in the neck, where it meets his body. But that's why he is a bridle horse and not a peanut roller, por seguro. He will walk and be ridden proud and not have the look of a horse scorned or beaten down. 

Looking at the natural arc to his neck as he carries that bit with such a nice eye makes you appreciate all the more what you've got when you see that same thing in your own mount. 

I'd wear as much silver on him as my wallet would allow. I'd tie my mecate in an alamar just to go that extra bit for him, as he has gone for me to be in the bridle so well. I'd cut off my rein hand rather than harm that soft mouth. What a caballo, or is this all just in my head?

If you have any questions about what you read or see here, are seeking permission to reprint or distribute the whole or any part of this copyrighted © material of this site or just want to talk gear or horse stuff, don't hesitate to drop me a line at: sagehorseman

*Disclaimer*:
Horsemanship is an inherently dangerous practice and horses are inherently unpredictable animals. The person attempting to follow any suggestion or instruction from Bob Sagely or Sage Horsemanship is to do so at their own risk and assumes full responsibility for themselves, their horse and any others in the vicinity. There is no guarantee of success or safety for human or horse in utilizing any of the practices or strategies for horsemanship suggested or promoted on this site or by Bob Sagely or Sage Horsemanship directly or indirectly through any other media.

This material and its attendant photo illustrations are copyrighted © 2007 by R. J. Sagely. The reprinting or distribution of the whole or any part without express permission of the author is prohibited.