Yes - I do hope others will forgive a discussion in which they can't view the photo. I did consider scanning it, but I think there is probably copyright protection.
I can see the wrinkles in the neck and the bit attachment - after I carried the book across the room where the light is better. I wonder if the mouthpiece is too wide . I wouldn't think he could pull it so far out of his horse's mouth if it weren't or is that a charecteristic of the gag bit? I've never even seen one except in the pictures you posted. Now that isn't a dropped noseband is it? And the horse somehow is still closing his mouth. Do you suppose he is just a pretty phlegmatic animal? And - one more question. We were taught to ride (ideally) with a straight line between our elbows and the bit, the reins being made of some imaginary elastic substance. This man's hands are pretty high. Is he lifting his horse into gait do you think? Nancy Sturm, traveling and learning (a line from a favorite book)
