[drivingpairs] starting pairs equipment

Can someone suggest if I'm on the right track here? I think I'm getting
close to putting my two 'boys' together soon. To get us started, I've
ordered matching breastcollars for pairs and traces , as well as the longer
holdbacks (breeching straps), and pair lines. I'm hoping to use the rest of
their single harnesses at first until I decide how well things are going and
can afford the rest of it. Is that enough for now?
Also, I've just tried working them side by side (in halters, not bridles),
and they seem intent on biting each other A LOT. The gelding tries to bite
the stallion on the neck and shoulder (whenever he feels that the stallion
can't get at him), and the stallion tries to bite the gelding on the knees
(whenever he feels that the gelding can't get back at him). Talk about
little children!! When I have them in bridles will I be able to stop this?
Perhaps when I can reach each mouth to convince them to stop? They live
together all the time, and generally get along. They also know when I make a
nasty sound that they're in trouble and they'll stop briefly. But when they
get moving they get silly again. Maybe it'll just work out in time? I should
also mention that they're only 37" tall, but I still don't tolerate anything
from them that I wouldn't from a 16hh horse.
I have a clinic coming up in 2 months with an excellent pairs driver, and so
I hope to have things sort of going by then. By the way, since that horse in
Washington state came down with WNV in October, people on Vancouver Island
have been vaccinating like crazy. Unfortunately, it truely has reached the
west coast (especially since we don't really have a good cold winter to kill
things like mosquitos).
Rachel
on RAINY RAINY RAINY Vancouver Island

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