Yes, he's kept himself quite nice!
I know it takes them some time to remember how to get their quarters under them when they return to work so I didn't mean to sound picky but that's going to be his biggest thing. Go ahead and do lots of suppling and bending exercises for the front end, especially in-hand, but get that butt under him again or all you're going to get is a horse with a nice headset and a trailing rear...which is what you have now.
I wrote and deleted something about getting his energy up first and then channeling it into roundness through that curb bit but the more I think about it, the more I think you're doing the right thing for Banner. This will give you the opportunity to work him long-and-low which will really help him learn to stretch into his topline and connect his hindquarters. He's never really wanted to do that because he was always bracing on your hands. Encourage him to stretch down at every opportunity even if it means reaching for grass (just push him on so he can't actually get any!
) and do a lot of shortenings and lengthenings.
Banner is such a gorgeous, well-built horse. He could be AMAZING if he ever learns how to use himself!
I'll have to look this evening, I can't see the pictures at work.
This actually sounds like a very good bit choice for him. As you said, he has a tendency to brace and he's always been reluctant to bend at the poll and that's exactly the kind of horse I'd use that sort of bit for. It gives him steady support but the curb and poll pressure remind him to yield and follow the bit down as he should.
I ditto the "one less strap" thing, btw.
Kody HATES the blinker bridle with a passion not because of the blinders themselves but because of the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped within such a stiff framework. We use a simple headstall over a halter most times now, just a crownpiece, tight throatlatch and the bit. On the one hand it could certainly be pulled over his ears easily, but on the other he doesn't TRY to rub that off like he does the blinker bridle!
I put a browband and caveson back on it for a competition this spring and he made his annoyance plain.
Leia
Edited to add: BTW, I love your signature line about patience! Too funny.