Thanks JDK. Transitions are a great idea. I think I forget to work on them because 1. I am not good at them, 2. I am afraid Baxter is bored by them when really, I think it's just #1.

I'm not sure where Pony is at with contact. The problem I have, I think, is that he doesn't go above or brace against the bit inverted... He "rounds" easily, but tends to lean down into the bit and push. I did post a while ago about him bracing against the bit and not softening through the mouth and jaw (no foam, rarely mouths the bit, will grind his teeth when he's annoyed/ frustrated). I've dropped his bit down a couple of holes, and went looser with the noseband/ took off the flash (just there to keep his goofy tongue in his mouth, anyway) to encourage him to "carry" the bit, and am trying to never give him a place to brace with my hands. He just doesn't yet "unlock" from the jaw and then over the loin...

Interesting what you say about moving the sidereins *up*. I've been tempted to do it since it seemed more like what he'd need, but was a bit leery. I'll give it a whirl this week. And work on my transitions (cringes).

Thanks muchly!

Ride smarter, not harder.