Californio Gear
We use what we sell
This new Two Rein and Bridle book represents decades of study and literally thousands of horses. While the primary focus is on the traditional California styles of bits, there is a LOT of info in the book that will be extremely helpful regardless of what style of horsemanship you practice.
The book has 237 pages and covers following topics:
What is a California bridle horse
History and traditions
Spanish California
Mexican/Rancho period
Mexican American war
United States control
California Lancers in the Civil War
World War I
World War II
The 1980s
1980s to Present day
Does the snaffle have a place in the old California tradition
Historical context
Riding young horses
New never before published snaffle bit research
True collection
What is Collection
The biomechanics of the horse being “on the bit” and excessive contact
Hyperflexion
Forward down/long and low
Leverage and pain compliance vs signal
How traditional California bits signal
Understanding the mouth
The Sacred temple
Mouth Conformation
Tongue
Tongue relief
Hyoid Apparatus
Bars
Hard Palate
Lips
Canine teeth
Premolars
Importance of regular dental work
Traditional California mouthpieces
Solid vs jointed mouthpieces
Halfbreed
Salinas
Mona Lisa
San Joaquin
Polo mouth
Mullen mouth
Frog mouth
Hoods over ports
Mouth piece materials
Cricket
Curb straps and curb chains
Bit balance, weight, cheek design and horse’s natural carriage
Ratios
Common shortcut tools
Nose bands/cavessons
Draw reins
Side reins
Gimmicks in general
Mysteries of the spade bit
Understanding the spade/spoon
How to measure for proper spade fit
Braces
Lower set cannon
Fitting the braces
Wrinkles in the corner of the mouth
Rein style and choices
Lost art of the rein chains
Headstalls
Single crown piece
Single sliding ear
Split ear
Double ear
Browband
Why all the silver
When to start in the two rein
The secret
My two rein list
Rein Handling and signaling in the two rein
Correct use of romal reins
Holding the two rein
Relaxed hand, fingertips and bubbling
Rein balance
Neck reining
The importance of seat and leg signals
Why I don’t ride with two hands on the bridle reins
Introduction to the bit
Bitting up
First rides
Transitioning to straight up rein handling
Going straight up
The Alamar knot
Teaching new skills
