Answering Emails: Angel & Tice

[@stevenandrushko8380]

Amazing teacher, thank you.

[@rontittel2425]

Thanks Pat I have riding horses for many years,but realize how little I know when I listen to your Videos. Thanks soo much.

[@randolphlearning5255]

"Due diligence, which is what they call it in town " just made my day. Cowboys and the like should be respected after all they feed city's. Best of luck and god bless Pat n Deb from Hamilton Ontario Canada.

[@pamelamorris8976]

Thank you for making sure the horses are being treated safe

[@dellefairclough5309]

Thanks for your information and the nylon cow!!! Many different ways, many different horses - you summed it up very well:) No one answer:) Just makes the mud go darker - as people try to figure out what works for them, and how many mistakes will they make along the way - your opinion represents hundreds of thousands of hours working with horses:) Need to watch this again(just like the last one)!

[@Lynn-vt4id]

Thank you Pat for mentioning finishing with "the best bit for the horse". So many want the bragging rights. Love the videos!!

[@peggybartlett9699]

I love that you are so willing to share your experience - THANK YOU so much! I also love your honesty & humor. Again - Thank you. I save all your links for future reference.

[@toddmoss1098]

Really appreciate all of your videos. I've been watching them for years. Myself and my wife finally picked up our first two horses. Ones a gypsy vanner cross with a shire and the other is a gypsy vanner cross with a clydesdale. I will be applying your methods in hopes of creating years of enjoyment with these two new additions to our family. Keep up the good work!

[@jackkrag]

thank you two.. old school clarity and wisdom..refreshing. k

[@wecu4dk]

These "conversations" are laced with gold. Thanks so much from SE Idaho.

[@lyndonzookhorsemanship8638]

Thanks Pat. I am a young aspiring horseman and you hold my respect more than any horseman I've met yet. I appreciate your ability to present a subject so hotly disputed in a honest and practical way. I wish I could meet you sometime and just sit and listen and watch. Only problem I live in Pennsylvania 🤔

[@PatnDebPuckett]

There are two excellent Amish horsemen in Lancaster County who can teach you everything you need to know. Sam and Mark Smucker. If you’d like their contact info, email me at [e-mail].

[@mattsimmons569]

I watch all your videos and this is probably the most helpful, most complete description of your path to making a bridle horse, and understanding the HOW and the WHY. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@clayoreilly4553]

Thank you for another great video and all of that valuable information you so willingly share.

[@valeriehudson7276]

Thank you for being so patient with we students and the horses. Who knows if you wait me out and I keep listening I will end up riding softly (hands)& a quiet hose. Appreciate your time.

[@we7438]

Thank you so much for the sub-theme of this video of "you have to match what you do to where the horse is.' A lot of horses are simular and go at a simular rate. No horse is the same. You have to see where the horse is and lead him to where you need him to go at the rate he can do it. Folks seem to get lost in the general ideas/philosophies without understanding the specifics of why those are the way they are. Thanks so much Pat and Deb!

[@lone5ranger]

Lots of great information Pat! You probably told me more than I ever need to know but really enjoyed it. Great camera work Deb!!

[@douglasgeiger6684]

You are awesome Pat & Deb!! I pick up something on every video

[@peterrefshaw6934]

Great video, I also used a single rein for my rope strap, as you mentioned doing if a person has a factory saddle, made the buckle by cutting it off a dog collar and screwed it to the tree

[@dubbie001]

Great over view 👌 pat I am about to start the journey of making a bridle horse and the part about just letting them wear it tied up is a really good tip, great info no nonsense

[@dhuber4951]

Thank you for once again attempting to clear up the confusion on headpieces and progressions for the general public. I will put out an idea that works well for me but may not work for everyone on choosing head gear. I am in southern Alberta, Canada and we are currently in a cold snap. I feel like it is near cruelty to put a piece of iron in a horse's mouth at -30 to -40°C so my horses, including my bridle horses, work in a halter or a hackamore most of the winter. My theory is, they need to be able to do any job in a hackamore and/or snaffle before progressing to the bridle so there is no reason they can't work in them throughout their life if you know how to ride off your seat. So, being on an outfit that doesn't have much time for watching birds and butterflies, my 10+ year old bridle horses, some days, are hackamore or snaffle bit horses just because it takes less time to put the outfit on in the morning or because of the conditions we are in. Hope this concept is useful for someone out there.

[@tracyjohnson5023]

I was about 6-7 and it was about 30 degrees when my granddaddy told me to put the bit in my mouth to see how cold it was. Of course it stuck to my tongue lol. Had to run to my nanny up at the house for hot water to get that hit unstuck from my tongue. My granddaddy said that's how your poor horse feels when you don't warm that bit up first lol. Hurt my feelings and my tongue but I never forget to warm that bit up first!

[@overturfoverturf8046]

sew

[@jrardin1967]

Elbow pat = pinche o agarrado. Pat, as blue collar good as is his understanding of horses, is also a master of the dry comment and then he throws in language. Pat has surely worked w/Mexican Vaqueros. This is for Pat: algunos de los mejores vaqueros, pa’ lassar, que yo conozco, son los Vaqueros de viejo Mexico. Keep doing and sharing. I love it and this, as it turns out, is a working man’s Legecy.

[@nebbindog6126]

Note to self: Do not drink coffee while watching Pat, as spewing it onto garments when exploding with laugter makes too much laundry.

[@FuzzyPantsDoctor]

Same. 😂

[@marge6020b]

Excellent video. Thank you for all of the great information. I learn something every time I watch your videos. I don't follow any particular trainer, but I really like your no-bull approach. I learned to ride with a cowboy who rode in a spade bit in the 60s. The way I learned is not very popular anymore, I'm glad to see that you have a really strong sense of how things work with a horse.

[@nwc872]

The discussion on head gear and how to proceed with a horse that’s run through a hackamore was so incredibly helpful, answered a lot of questions I didn’t even realize I had. Thank you! Eastern CO.

[@elviramanwaring3924]

Thank you Pat and Deb! Just watched this video after receiving your email answering my questions. Very informative. I wished I had seen your videos sooner in my life, but it’s never to late to learn and my horse will appreciate my transition. Im looking forward to my snaffle bit.

[@bullantoffroad]

Thank you so much for all your videos! I’m watching them over and over and I have ordered your bridle horse DVD. My Morgan horse is in a 1/2inch hackamore now with view of course to becoming a spade bit horse. Love your humour in the videos also. Thanks from Queensland Australia

[@gregs8736]

Raising Morgans also. I have been to Queensland, it is so incredibly beautiful! You are very fortunate!

[@garlanddavis7099]

U r a great teacher!

[@danielwhittle4317]

O wow that put it all together. so much appreciate this video very informative totally provides your idea of progression. I was missing that common knowledge an wasn't sure exactly the specific reason for different hackamore / bits an also different functionality of half breed to spade thank you so much .

[@everettkemp2473]

Thank you for explaining more about bits and bridles in more detail Pat! Another great video for the archives. Ojai, CA

[@michaelhiett6683]

Excellent explanation of those bits! Thanks for this video.

[@riggin3749]

Pat and Deb I absolutely love watching your training sessions. I got a horse after not having one for 17 years and he had a few issues, but with your help he has come a long way. He's a grade QH Chestnut and 14.3 hands. He's somewhere between 8 and 10 years old and has a very sweet temperament, but, had got away with some bad behavior cause of people in his past that didn't know what they had, in my opinion. His name was Cash when I got him on May 17, 2022, St. Patty's Day. He was in Chico, CA and I live in Fortuna, CA on the coast in Humboldt County. Anyway, I renamed him Chase, my last name. Then my friend and I decided not to name him something you might have to do with him, i.e. Chase. Hee-Hee. So his name now is Mr. Zen. Thank you so much for all your knowledge. It has helped my Husband and I tremendously as I have been out of horses for so many years. Melanie Chase and James Mills

[@Kernfederate]

Great video, thanks! Howdy from Tehachapi CA

[@sirronmitt]

Thank you Pat and deb for this thorough explanation of starting with the bosal and transitioning through the other western bits. Your statement "I have just taken you through 5 years of riding," is something that I wish more people could hear. So many want to speed this process in 1/5 of that time, and are usually unsuccessful. Then they criticize the gear. Thanks again for your videos.

[@carlBigSpoonjohnson]

Thanks again for all your information and wisdom.

[@michaelv2181]

Thanks for another great video. Many years ago when I was young and foolish I found it was hard to find a lot of information on western riding. I would have liked to have the benefit of videos like yours ,but it was hard even to get a steam operated phone in those days, by the way I am now old and foolish according to my granddaughters lol stay safe and keep up the good work

[@roberthambly9926]

This is a great video again, Thanks you guys are great, one of the funniest comments i have heard. When you get down to the nut cutting. LOL I am horse laughing over here in Ohio.

[@tinoyb9294]

Great explanation of the jaquima and two rein method! I am wondering if you do any serious ranch work (gathering, branding) when starting to use a two rein setup or do you take a few rides without cows first? Or do you not do the serious work until you're only in the western bit? From Denver.

[@lynndecker932]

I’m enjoying your videos!! Would love to host you in Virginia soon!!

[@stevenfoulger6066]

So if you have a horse that is schooled pretty well laterally, softness, etc. and performing everyday tasks, and you've moved up with the missing link snaffle and on to a half breed, and he spooks at some freak thing, what would be your best course of action since you wouldn't be able to bend him and disengage due to the type of bit?

[@stevenfoulger6066]

Fyi, My gelding has run off on me before.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

You should stop him BEFORE he runs off instead of reacting after the fact. If he spooks to the right, you meet him with your right spurs and vice versa. When all is going well, release and ride him on a loose rein. Pulling on one rein is not acceptable in a bit.

[@stevenfoulger6066]

@@PatnDebPuckett Thanks for the reply.

[@donscott8879]

Thank you Pat and Deb for making all of these outstanding videos. I hope I don't wear each video out by watching repeatedly but I learn something new with each viewing. You previously sent me a Sliester bit with a San Joaquin mouthpiece and my mare is doing well and everyone is happy! Wonderful advice that you gave to me. I think I understand that a straight high port bit is considered a half breed bit but with a San Joaquin mouthpiece is this Sliester also considered a half breed? Also, with this setup can one use chains effectively or is it better and traditional to stay with split reins? This is probably a silly question but there is already enough misinformation out there and I don't want to add to it. Thank you kindly. I sincerely appreciate you and Deb.

[@gregs8736]

The Utah cowboy could consider draw reins with the missing link snaffle and double reins, one set for regular reins, and one set for the draw reins. If the horse doesn't run through the snaffle, the draw reins could be left alone, but if the horse does run off, the draw reins would act with leverage to help the rider control the horse. They changed the mind of an ex-race horse (running Quarter Horse) that was the fastest horse I have seen, let alone ridden in a headlong runaway that developed from giving the horse a loose rein. He neck reined beautifully and I made the mistake of thinking he would stop as beautifully! Nope, that was an invitation to do what he had been trained to do from before, which was run at racehorse speed as soon as I gave him slack in the reins! On a ranch with really rough ground trying to work cattle or loose horses with him as a new horse in my string! So anyway, long story "short", he got the best of me twice on rough ground that would have seriously injured or killed me if I had come off or if he had fallen. The third time, I used the draw reins, gave him a loose rein, he tried to take off, the draw reins controlled him easily and I had him where he would walk or jog safely on a loose rein and do a slow lope with just a slight feel in the reins. And no more runaways on dangerous ground!

[@PatnDebPuckett]

We don’t use draw reins. They make it difficult or impossible to shut a horse down by doubling him and they encourage over flexion. If you double a horse prior to the horse getting out of control over and over again, releasing when he’s doing the right thing, he’ll learn to ride on a loose rein until asked into collection.

[@gregs8736]

@@PatnDebPuckett Sure. I only needed to use them once and I doubled the horse with them before he got away on me. After that, he was okay to ride with regular reins.

[@burkefarrow8571]

Great info appreciate it Thank you sir

[@hardysh05]

What brand is the halfbreed you have there? Thank you for your videos! Clarksville, OH

[@PatnDebPuckett]

The half breed is a Sleister.

[@johnjacobs4207]

I usually try to keep my mouth shut however the temptation was too strong today. To the cowboy from Utah from a really old cowboy from Utah let me help you futher by saying that I ride nothing but hot blooded horses that benifit from years of riding with the principle of bend. I am never in a hurry to get the spade or leverage in the mouth. I will use a snaffle over by hackamore if I think that paticuilar horse will run through the plain bosal. In my case that is all of my horses. Hot blooded horses will want to get in the habit of tossing their head if put in the leverage too soon. I can do everything in the hackmore and snaffle I need to to prevent the ruining of the horse by starting to toss their head with a leverage. So ride out in the country and get the edge off before getting into a situation that the horse would explode. Even then hot blooded horses all have some degree of lovesickness and will explode even when the day is long gone. Bottom line put the mecatae in your hand and the snaffle rein between your first two fingers so the bosal makes contact first then if needed the snaffle can bend him preventing a runnaway. ESpecially a stallion. My horses being asian I have to ride a long time with the principle of bend using to hands before I can get into a spade then I go right to the spade and they love it and will self carriage beautifully. Some horses are going to have some U to their neck more than others and will require special handling (bending) and a spoon mouth piece and a check that is not too strong probably a nevada. So relax about getting too soon into the leverage and enjoy the ride. It can be done. When things get hot you probably have some love sickness.

[@richardcameron3681]

Thanks Pat! Fairfield Ut.

[@daniellewelch2430]

What is the 2nd bit you show? The half breed. I've been looking EVERYWHERE for one. Do you know where I can find one?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

The Sleister is difficult to find these days. You just have to keep looking on eBay.

[@gregpena2941]

Hello and a very good morning to you both. Question.... I’m getting ready to start transitioning my mare into a western bit. I’m looking at a Jeremiah Watt that I believe has like a 6 1/2” tear drop style shank that is slightly set back. I’m interested in the Mona Lisa. Thoughts and possible advice? As always, thank you so much for your time y buen dia

[@PatnDebPuckett]

We recommend the AC600 cheekpiece and the #7 Half Breed mouthpiece. Here’s the link to Bitterroot Saddle Co: bitterrootsaddleco.com/arena-classic-bits-jeremiah-watt-bits/

[@gregpena2941]

@@PatnDebPuckett thank you so much!! Is that a bit you think she could be in permanently?

[@gregpena2941]

@@PatnDebPuckett I feel like I’m bothering the crud out of you both!! But thank you!!!

[@gregpena2941]

@@PatnDebPuckett would it be a sin or betrayal to my horse to go with the #7 and a Santa Barbara cheek? I really believe in what you guys do and why. I just really admire the the artistry and beauty of the Santa Barbara.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

@@gregpena2941 we recommend the AC600 because it works with the conformation of most horses. The cheekpiece should be chosen to suit your horse, not your personal taste. You can read about the different cheekpieces on our website store.

[@susanwolfson3021]

Thank you!

[@bryankellenberger738]

Great explanation and info!! You mentioned that you “took us through 5 years of riding”. How much riding per week/month are you referring too?

[@peggybartlett9699]

THANK YOU - Pat

[@vernonhasenkamp5726]

I miss Jim Steirwalt (of Spray Oregon) more with every lesson you teach. Your verbiage mannerisms are priceless.. My girl often comments when I bust up laughing on key phrases of intelligent sarcasm.. Offer still stands to ride for one freoulie a day, on my colt still in the halter

[@vernonhasenkamp5726]

Because Toce is twitchy we'll shut the whole outfit down and get this

[@crosscreeksfarm1003]

So can anyone explain how the S on the cheek piece makes it more severe? It makes no sense. Whether the cheek piece is straight or an S, the amount you pull back is the same. Pull on the reins an inch and the mouth piece will move the exact same amount on both mouth pieces. The leverage points are all the same. As long as the mouth piece and the end of the cheek piece are the same distance from each other, and they have the same amount of purchase, they will have the same leverage regardless of shape of cheek.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

In engineering, it has to do with the reverse curve and the point where the cheekpiece is attached to the mouthpiece. In most cheekpieces, it is attached at the bottom of the mouthpiece or slightly toward the front. This creates pound-for-pound force exerted on the curb strap. In an S cheekpiece, the attachment is at the back of the mouthpiece. This amplifies the force by the amount determined by the steepness of the curvature. Or so I recall from my 1980’s era engineering courses…

[@crosscreeksfarm1003]

@@PatnDebPuckett well idk about the curvature thing but what you are saying about the attachment points would definitely make a difference. Thanks

[@timneal5617]

Thank you

[@jeremiahswartz1662]

So I have a mare who in my opinion can get pretty pissy and will give to poll pressure and runs through a snaffle how do I fix it

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Explain what you mean by poll pressure. And watch our video on the one rein stop. If the horse gets to the point where it has run through anything, you’re probably late.

[@zakmckinney5337]

Do you have any information on the maker Christiansen? I have one of his bits and I’m in Texas and nobody around here can give me any info

[@PatnDebPuckett]

We’ve never heard of that maker. You can email photos of your bit to [e-mail].

[@Cecilyeg]

Great! Now how will I be able to sell my nylon cattle?! lol

[@sillyoldmare82]

...I will be the witness, I will not partake in this riot... And that my friend, is why at 42 years into this, I am watching your videos with rapt attention.

[@sillyoldmare82]

"I don't go to group over that..." (just snorted my coffee...) Thank's Pat.

[@johnvanriper3363]

Hi Pat my great uncle who is gone now told me he never used a bit till after there teeth had come in about 5 years of age understand I don’t claim to be a hand but sense he’s gone could help me understand further what his thinking may have been thanks

[@PatnDebPuckett]

That’s absolutely correct and the reason we use a bosal for the first 2-3 years after starting a horse. That puts them at around 5 years old. When horses are teething, it’s unfair to expect them to be light and responsive to a bit of any kind.

[@johnvanriper3363]

@@PatnDebPuckett thanks Pat

[@bryanmontgomery4050]

Properly fitted, the bosal can be an awesome tool, in inexperienced hands, it can cause very bad habits!!!

[@CSSLivestockandDogs]

What’s your thoughts on old California ring bits?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

We don’t use them. Southern Baja vaqueros use them on mules. We’ve heard them referred to as a Chileno not a California ring not.

[@alejandrosanchez6683]

Would you mind explaining where is the ring located ? Is it mounted on the top of the mouth piece or in the cheekpiece?

[@1lesa242]

Correction bit= communist plot🤣🤣 thank you Penrose CO

[@johnvanriper3363]

Ya that was good

[@claybean2290]

What if the cricket is on the bottom of the bit

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Not sure I’m following your question. You’re welcome to email with a photo of the kind of bit you’re asking about or clarify your question here.

[@nolang4495]

I like your horse 🐴

[@georgearcher1712]

Do you ever use a western Pelham bit to two rein transition into a curb bit?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

No. As far as I know, a Pelham is an English bit not a western bit.

[@georgearcher1712]

I use a Visalia four ring cheek (Dale Robertson used one in tails of Wells Fargo) I attach a rope rein in the snaffle position so I can lateral flexi if need without using the curb.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

We teach our horses to ride off of our bodies. Ideally the rider’s hand should not ever leave the circumference of the saddle horn. Once the rider picks up the rein,s, \\\the horse goes into collection, tunes in to the rider’s body, and moves accordingly. If you continue to have to manipulate the horse’s head as you describe, you need to look at how you are sitting on your horse. 99% of the time, it is the rider who is miscommunicating his intentions. For example, when asking for your horse to bend in a circle, you should be sitting slightly on your outside seatbone. This enables your horse to wrap around your inside leg naturally. The steeper the turn, the more weight is redistributed to the outside seatbone. Mechanically trying to bend your horse with a rein without assessing your own body position creates more problems and makes the horse tune out to your body and struggle to do what you are asking.

[@alejandrosanchez6683]

@@PatnDebPuckett thank you for sharing so much knowledge with us, you are not close to image how thankful I feel to you for sharing your knowledge. I don’t even have a horse, but I used to before I move to Hanford CA. One of my plans for the future is to do what Mr. Puckett is now doing with Chinaco. This past winter break I spent some time riding my dad’s macho (it’s how we call a male mule in my hometown in Mexico) funny story, the macho only likes to get ridden during day time since it is afraid of dark shades. If you ride him out in the country at night it turns into a dark rodeo time.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

@Alejandro Sanchez You aren’t too far away from us. If you ever get a break, let us [e-mail]

[@garythorsell5061]

What is a hackamore?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

A quick Wikipedia search yields this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackamore

[@garythorsell5061]

Wow thank 😊 you for a great response now I know something new

[@trwhitr]

Nylon cow. Hilarious!

[@kevinwilson381]

Do you a chin strap on snaffle bit. Thanks, Kevin Wilson

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Yes. But it has nothing to do with leverage on a Snaffle bit. Its only purpose is to keep the Snaffle from being pulled through the horse’s mouth during a one rein stop.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Also it’s called a curb strap.

[@dhuber4951]

Don't know if means anything to anyone else but on a snaffle I refer to it as a bit hobble or hobble strap as I think that correctly describes it's purpose.

[@kevinwilson381]

@@dhuber4951 I have what you call hobble strap

[@kevinwilson381]

I’m starting a online business on eBay called chicohorsetack5. It’s horse tack shop, it’s small shop hope grow it to medium business?

[@bryanmontgomery4050]

Lack of experience is making them their own worst enemy!!! Get experienced on a finished horse before you try to finish your own…

[@jamesclark9347]

Are you scared "afraid not"

[@susanwolfson3021]

Can I come sit at your feet? I'm a good cook. Lol

[@roughwater3454]

Man I don't squat.

[@donaldrowley2984]

My comment on earlier horse was not a cult but a baby that's only a month or two old are they too young to rope

[@PatnDebPuckett]

A one or two month old colt is still on the mare. So no, you don't rope a horse that age. You really shouldn't be doing much of anything with it. Let the mare do her job of raising her colt until weaning time.

[@bryanmontgomery4050]

Some people have ten years experience and some people have one year of experience, ten times in a row. Some of the audience needs to progress on an old plug nag before they start trying to figure out what they need to do to correct an animal that they can’t keep up with. Every time they cover one obstacle, ten more come up and it’s not fair to the horse.

[@elenacaddell3639]

High port bits Are cruel as Are snaffles. I’ve been using horses in bit less and Indian bridles a long time. Stallions included. Bits are Very Antiquated. Originally built to Control in a harmful way . More riders then not. Have NO IDEA HOW TO RIDE PROPERLY. Let Alone Train a horse.