Building Confidence in the Horse and Rider

We have had a couple of people ask us about how to build confidence. In this video, Pat and I talk about confidence from two very different perspectives while Pat works a young horse that lacks confidence. Through some basic groundwork and through introducing the flag and tarp to the horse, confidence is built in the horse. And through observing the horse work through this process, a rider can build confidence in his horse provided that the horse is a good match. As luck would have it, we have a couple of dvd's on our website that cover these subjects:
Quality Groundwork DVD:
www.thediscipl...
Flag & Tarp DVD:
www.thediscipl...
For general information, visit our homepage:
www.thediscipli...
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Thank you for watching!

[@piaffe25rider]

I wish i found your teaching when i was young!!! Ive learned so much but now im too old to ride!! God Bless! Love watching your videos!! Only way I can get my horse fix!!!!!

[@jenniferproctor1898]

“With my confidence and zero contempt in my heart..”. Favorite line in the video. Hello Pat and Deb 👋

[@mercedessilverberg1907]

How thankful i am to Deb and Pat for all their time and patience helping us become more knowledgeable on all aspects of horsemanship. Our horses thank you also. GOD Bless you both

[@meycoe]

Very different from many trainers nowadays, that's a horse NOT dripping sweat and heaving!! Pat, that says it all. Yep, you won the world 😀

[@KingsMom831]

Love seeing the valley turning green. Your videos are like moving artwork, comedy relief & good horsemanship wrapped into one masterpiece🙏😊

[@dirksimmang]

ooo snap.. Deb is Definitely on it... lol.. Dammm good Insight...😊

[@kaja3131]

You know what, this is soooo good. Now i know you had a LOT of horses under your belt, i have had maybe 25-30, almost all of them gave me some kind of heart attack, but the problem with me is, i got on most on them with a twist in my stomach and worked it out as i go, untwisted my stomach and got off. Called it being brave. You make me realize i was not, i wasn’t even a good leader and had i not had the twist in my stomach to begin with, they wouldn’t have replied with giving me a heart attack. Also, there was one of them i did ground work with as an exuse to not get on, so thanks for calling me out 😂 took me 3 months to get on his back.. but for the people who read this: as long as you accept your personal problem and are willing to work on it, even if it’s small steps, doesn’t mean you are not cut out for it, just takes a bit more time. Small brave decision each day, is better than being a lot of brave for one day and then giving up.

[@calista1280]

Kudos for such acute self realization & opening our eyes to our own issues & frailties.

[@sheripietro8388]

I've been laughing every since, "that was one of our students and the dog dug him up".😅😆

[@phillipgreene2564]

An easy hour listening watchin to the three of ya gettin along... the dog too. Nice day for heart work.

[@marquesjones5277]

I’m a green rider who purchased a stud horse then had him gelded. He’d never been ridden and was confined to a small enclosure. It’s been nearly a year and our confidence has grown. Videos like this really help me understand that I’m progressing and have done the right things. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. It’s truly appreciated

[@luckyanna007]

Thanks for the videos! Also, not redundant at all! I’m sure all of us viewers would agree that you’d never become redundant to us! This was a really helpful video for me, thank you so much

[@loryspencer8215]

So many quotable "Pat-isms" here...and some great insight from Deb. Also, what a nice horse!

[@meycoe]

what a nice little gelding. good mind....great work!

[@conservativejoe4025]

Mr. and Mrs. Puckett, you are creating so much value for the horse community. Thank you!

[@johnmcfadden9732]

Speaking from Alberta, this is a good and helpful video.. I think it is easier for people to understand you can transmit nervousness, or a lack of confidence, to horses, and thus make them nervous, than it is to understand you can transmit confidence to them and thus make them more confident, so a video like this is a helpful reminder that the confidence door swings both ways. It's also nice to hear Deb's take on things.. Well done and thanks.

[@ltrocha]

I like what Pat is doing here. Good common sense horse training.

[@christophertorres4170]

Great video, groundwork is where it starts for a successful partnership. Building confidence is key to both horse and rider. Thank you Pat and Deb for the wealth of knowledge.

[@GR8HARMONY]

Brilliant! Thanks Pat for your wisdom and Deb for your honesty. Know thyself: overconfidence and lack of wisdom are the trip wires of the ego. I will be watching this very carefully many more times before I apply. Thanks for the tools Pat

[@HOMESTEAD_AUS]

Thank you Sir , much respect for the way you get around your horses over there

[@sunnycaldreamer]

I LOVE how you teach....You simplify it so well that it just makes sense. THANK YOU!

[@joemcfadden5262]

Thanks Pat and Deb really informative. Appreciate you breaking it down down. Your narrative as you make progress is very helpful. Thanks Deb for your pointing out how many of us feel and how we we may get beyond our fear.

[@mattkoller5562]

Thanks for all the great videos. Glad you talk about the rider aspect of training and riding horses. Most horses have human problems...can tell how many times I hear my horse can't do it....however when you are not on them and they are with a pasture mate all horses tend to be able to do any maneuver you could ever ask them to do (spin, roll back, switch leads, maintain a gait, ect). Hope people take your advice and work on themselves and their horse.

[@Misseyj1001]

Thank you, I need more work on regaining my confidence and this was all very helpful thanks to Deb’s comments. I know I have the right horse and I need the confidence to match my horse. Always entertaining and educational 🧡 Thanks from Michigan

[@Inca1122]

I can totally relate to this comment. :)

[@ernestosantillanez2332]

I wish i could give this two thumbs up!

[@nunyayoung5936]

I just want to come work for room & board just to be submersed in this ! 🥰

[@jrardin1967]

Why yes Pat n Deb, this was “of interest” and it did “make sense”. It may seem simple, but so seems the foundation for a house.Thank You.

[@alexmanosa6993]

Thank you so much for all your videos Pat and Deb! As a horse owner just learning from the Philippines where there is limited knowledge on the ground it’s a joy to watch your videos and try to work that out with my horses. Please continue, this is a wonderful gift to all of us.

[@deborahburgett5878]

Thank you! I have a mare who won’t go out alone. I started going through your videos for help. Bingo! Again. THANK YOU!

[@12vcumminscowboy]

Imma have to watch this a few hundred times. This makes a lot of sense for me and my horse

[@dellefairclough5309]

What a pair you two are - thanks for making the video with the commentary - each time something is learned - green is a nice background:) Nice horse:)

[@emersontayten]

As always, fantastic video. Thanks for all y'all do.

[@disciplepullover326]

I'm fairly new to Horses, I've always had an interest but never had access to them until recently, and I have to tell you I have been very encouraged and appreciative of your videos! Your techniques just make sence. I can't wait to apply what I'm learning!

[@Equinegraphy]

Very nice show of not only confidence and what is the lack of it, but also work with intention. Thank you for showing your horsemanship and sharing your knowledge! =)

[@murphyshsu]

Thank you for taking the time to make this

[@CCDHorses]

And thank you. The issue with the wrong horse: I don’t have a choice I need to make this work. You’ve given me some more tools to build our confidence. It’s a brave person to admit fear. I have mares trained with fear. So I’m studying confidence in horse and rider these winter months.

[@joelhamilton6720]

A gifted horseman

[@btgoble]

Absolutely great. Love the dry jokes too. Thanks Tracey (Australia)

[@blueriomedina1209]

It seems to me that the confidence is synonymous with the mutual trust between the animal and the human, and of course the love or respect we may show to such a animal. The confidence building can be applied to other relationships we may have with animals including for example dogs. As far as horses it seems the level of confidence and trust depends on what the person expect the horse to do or what is going to be used. I imagine a working horse out on a ranch demands different approach than a horse that is used recreationally or occasionally, both need respect and love, and if you trust yourself and are a confident person chances are you will have a confident, trustful, self assured animal. I follow this channel because I like horses even though I don’t own a horse, and I like Pat’s no bs honest attitude about life and things in general. I think this is the first time I have heard Deb, engage more than usual and I like that she brings her own opinions and take on the matter. From Texas.

[@garythorsell5061]

This man is amazing 👏 what a treasure of knowledge ❤️

[@jamierock5097]

Pat, building the human confidence, best on ground, “the worst thing that can happen you trip and fall” LOL!!!

[@Stratocastering]

Thank you for those videos, im from Bahrain, really learning so much, highly appreciate it.

[@kidstuff44555]

Very true not to worry about or "correct" the signs of insecurity or being herd bound... just get their mind back on what they're doing with you. They will learn you are their herd and source of security now, and in time the whinnying and other insecurity issues will go away on their own.

[@marjoriephillips7440]

Wonderful vidio. I see where I go wrong. Even though my horse is not a problem and is a willing mare. When I am trying to teach her something new I don't stay in the question long enough. If she doesn't get something really fast I assume I am doing it wrong or asking wrong and leave it. I do try to leave things on a good note and I can read a worried horse. Next, thank you so much for the laugh, Halter horses, "You basically have a 4H beef steer, incidentally.'" i had several of those steers, lovley fellows.

[@sineadmcnamara4418]

Fair leader - I love it 👏

[@tiffanyoliver6945]

Thanks so much to Pat and Deb for their time and dedication in making these videos. This video was focused on helping unconfident horses and unconfident people and it was a good one. I can't help but think how either end of the confidence spectrum can be detrimental. It isn't just unconfident riders/owners working with horses incorrectly which create problems. We have certainly seen many a horse who experienced too much, too soon from a trainer/owner who was quite confident/fearless that they were training effectively but lacked feel, did not notice tip of the ear, pupil of the eye, and so on. Anyone, myself included, working with horses needs to be aware of poor practices. Pat has certainly helped me become more aware and I know what to strive for - not just reproduce (as in a horse mechanically doing something). At first, this does feel mechanical as I am just imitating Pat but true feel does come after putting concepts to use over time. Think about this, how will a new driver know when a tire is going flat? You can say a million times, "First, the car will drift, pull to one side, if a front tire. If a rear tire is going flat, the car will fishtail, etc. etc., but until that new driver experiences a tire loosing pressure, he or she will never learn to feel subtle changes in the steering wheel. Working with horses is no different. It takes time to develop feel of all 4 corners of a horse but it is worth taking the time. I'm not where I want to be, never will be for that matter, but both my horse and I can be heard saying, "So?" more often than not. Thanks Pat and Deb. I appreciate you both more than you know.

[@KingsMom831]

This is SPOT ON!

[@cesarprieto2234]

I think it's the first time I have seen the valley below. Looks like nice country.

[@BearWa11ace]

How about that view.... and thanks for all the great info.

[@TimCausleyhorsemanship]

Pat-you make me feel not alone with my approach to horses and confidence for the horse and rider--people I teach and help think I have some special sense-not really-it is understanding equine logic and communication patience and a willingness to give the horse what they need-simple stuff folks make difficult if not impossible for themselves-the way we breath and carry ourselves with feel and timing is everything-great video-and I know they can be difficult to create and edit-(have channel of my own)-good job!!-you and your wife bring no nonsense reality to horses-

[@gail2283]

Love this video - thank you

[@tiffanysavoie4847]

This is what I needed. I just got a horse after years of my last horse. I need confidence and so does she. Our first ride was not great. I was nervous and she was feeling it. She was testing me

[@calista1280]

@tiffanysavoie4847, Probably like me, after years of being " between horses" I feel that my first step should be doing lots of groundwork to desensitize and get acquainted with each other (gollowing good trainers loke Pat, Ryan Rose, Jake B, Anderson etc. PLUS, taking lessons on the new horse with a good, kind trainer that will help both of us build confidence back and trust in each other as partners in the dance.... All before going back out on a scary trail, especially alone... Wishing you many happy hours in the saddle and off, building a connection with your new partner in adventures! ❤ 🐴 😊 🐎

[@roberttomyn1599]

Thanks Pat for a great video. We have two Fjord horses. One doesn't let anything bother him and is curious. the other one lets lots of things bother him. This video will help me ith him. Hope you heal 100%.

[@SusieHorsey]

awesome!! really enjoyed this

[@valeriehudson7276]

I love your humor , Dressage Mirror on the ground:-) Flag work and timing really helps. Thank you for being so explicit , the subtleties are where communications get better. Thank you! That colt is pretty darn good minded, tarp-wise.

[@triplet4547]

You are so clear and good, thank you sir! Love, "You can't train a horse, but you can outlast him"

[@joanettemurch9040]

Oh how I love watching and your explanation….you are my inspiration

[@nancywenlock1833]

And thank YOU!! What a wonderful video and such excellent explanations from you both!

[@philipm.schmoker1308]

Great video, I think this information will be a great help to me & the horse I ride

[@philipm.schmoker1308]

Eagle Creek Oregon

[@marccormier5640]

Very informative! Thanks!

[@victoriaweyforth9669]

Thanks Deb. I needed that!

[@garymclaren7185]

I kind of like the new fore mat Deb asking the questions people ask. Nice seeing grass

[@dsantos21100]

Thanks Google video. I just don't have the confidence that I'm reading the horse correctly. Lol but I'm working on it. Watching your videos and others like it teach me how to read the horse. Keep 'em coming.

[@kentsaeger8403]

Thanks for the video I sure love them mountains just wondering what's on the other side? Thanks from Minnesota

[@debbys-abqnm4537]

This is the first of your videos that I've seen (but not the last!). The horse was so patient and attentive, surely seeing that Pat (and Deb) would protect him if he treated them like the leaders they are (though they each have only 2 legs). I'm hoping that after the camera was turned off, the horse got a nice treat, some water, maybe some yummy hay, and a chance to chat with the other horses. They'd all talk in an admiring manner about their humans, too!

[@jamesaltese3811]

I'm getting ready to start working with ground work and being able to riding my 16 year old Paint Gelding he lost his right eye.Just got him Previous owner situation about the right eye loss. I don't have a round pen just big area to work and ride in I learned so much from this video to have a starting point With Jack

[@skyew.5071]

I wonder how long you two (Deb and Pat) have been together! just so much respect for each other. Quite unusual for a man especially around his "thing" meaning his his expertise thing. Horses. I do not see that often at all. I have certainly never experienced a relationship like that. Anyway I cant stop watching . I learn so much and get inspired to get out and keep working on my feel timing and balance.(as Ray would say!)

[@PatnDebPuckett]

22 years.

[@skyew.5071]

@@PatnDebPuckett O MY !! Im impressed! I have never witnessed such kindness . especially from a man to a woman. Never an ounce of shaming or sarcasm to each other. I watch because of the stuff I learn and then go do on my horses but I also watch because of you and the way you LOVE and respect each other. Its very refreshing.PS thanks for the reply! Skye Wansey (Horse woman- Actress ) Australia New South Wales

[@PatnDebPuckett]

@@skyew.5071 you have an interesting perspective. From what I’ve seen, real cowboys who work on ranches show nothing but respect for their wives and women in general who work alongside them. Maybe it’s because we all carry knives 😆

[@skyew.5071]

@@PatnDebPuckett HaHAHAHa well it could be an Australian way! Im so glad to hear that about your men. Deb!!!

[@davidjensen4793]

Excellent video! Thanks for the common sense with wisdom.

[@lr5425]

Excellent teaching video. Thank you!

[@terrywhitenight9188]

Nice to hear Deb's side of the story. Maybe next video let Deb ride this horse and you run the camera.

[@michaelc2509]

This is a great lesson. Thank you.

[@stephenpoynton5848]

Excellent video

[@stevesayer4045]

Thank you for this video everything was showing how to do it great video mate

[@magdielperez2219]

Very good video , thank you guys, god bless

[@almacruz-nf5lp]

I feel like I’ve learned more from this video from the Anderson video. Read the horse understand how to connect to it. I feel ready to take on my horse

[@clayoreilly4553]

Great teaching video, Pat & Deb. I learned a lot from this and am certain I will learn more the next time I view it. Repetition is a necessary part of learning - at least for me. So, thanks for being redundant. Question: Had anyone ridden that horse prior to this, or was this his first ride?

[@skyew.5071]

Im pretty sure Pat noted that "this is NOT a colt" by that I assumed he meant he was not under 3 and HAD been previously started. I could be wrong.He was certainly going well if this was his first ride dont you think?

[@spedoclctr]

love it. I like that horse 🐎. thanks 👍

[@daviddiener3924]

Loved this! Thank you so much!

[@kennethcampbell4746]

Thank you for a very useful video!

[@trentjones3918]

I love the videos you post and I try and learn as much as I can from them. I’ve seen you mention books before what books do you recommend for just generally learning about how to become a better rider/horseman I’m 14 years old but very eager to learn so give me any advice you have. Thanks

[@WesternWandererJM]

At 19:20 you made the distinction that I'd always wondered... Differentiating between the Flag saying "move", and "it's ok, you are fine" . Thank you..

[@drkpg1]

Thank you so much !

[@garythorsell5061]

Amazing technique a true master

[@Alex-horsman]

Well done!!!

[@LuisRamos-rk2yk]

The feel and timing to do things with the horses in my opinion is call experience and obviously you do have that

[@andrewjohnson6364]

Thank you!

[@horsecrazyamanda]

If you ever travel to clinic at Horseshoe Park in Queen Creek, AZ please let me know!!!!

[@CSSLivestockandDogs]

Nice job with that horse pat. I am on the fence about taking a feedlot job or going into riding on yearlings. I have two ranch horses and was wondering about the slow and quiet way of working cattle in a feedlot would be helpful or would it be beneficial to ride on yearlings this summer. I am wanting to bring my horses up the way that you did with Prieto. Thanks.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

The problem with most feedlots is it’s not slow and quiet. We recommend the yearling outfit. You can free your horses up outside. What state are you in?

[@CSSLivestockandDogs]

@@PatnDebPuckett Currently western south dakota. But moving to somewhere in wyoming that needs a cowboy, South Dakota does not.

[@mohammedalshehri5699]

and Thank you for the scientific material you provide us as ahorse riding lovers

[@lindatruitt7858]

Just some thoughts on Clinton Anderson, I used his program without drilling the exercises. What I found very helpful was he outlines the usual trainer mistakes and how to correct them. As such it’s a good starting point for many.

[@lindatruitt7858]

If also helped me Lear the ‘feel’ Pat talks about.

[@KingsMom831]

Lmao “The Clinton Anderson rescue book” 😂😂

[@meycoe]

Lol, with the laminated cards. Haha. A fool and his money are soon parted!

[@wesborders3277]

Awesome

[@user-bi5if1ip6t]

Thanks guys and horse of course

[@growtopiabroshd6793]

Hello Pat and Deb, I do not know if you have already made a video about this-but can you show us what you feed your horses?

[@growtopiabroshd6793]

Buenos días Pat and Deb, can you show us how to make a roping dummy? Que tengan un buen día. Saludos

[@jordanwhite5470]

Deb mentioned "no pressure in your feet". Can either of you elaborate, because I find that I do tend to push down (left over from my trainers telling me "heels down")?

[@denniswiebe-qh2fr]

Great great videos. Is it possible that a horse will always be spooked? 10 yr old. Grouse, deer, birds etc on the trail. He just never gets over them. Thoughts??? Please

[@PatnDebPuckett]

When riding a spooky horse, we do two things. First, we get moving. No creeping along looking for things to spook at. We trot and try to pick the roughest trail we can find so the horse needs to choose between spooking or staying upright. Second, if a horse does spook, he gets go follow whatever he spooked at, again at a trot. Left spur. Right spur. Both spurs. Forward, forward, forward. If it's something stationary, he gets to go stand on top of it. Now in defense of your horse, if your only riding area is thick brush and trees with deer and grouse busting out, you need to understand that horses evolved on the plains where they could see for miles. So you're dealing with a prey animal that feels best if he is in the open.

[@denniswiebe-qh2fr]

@@PatnDebPuckett ok. Thankyou. Appreciate the reply.

[@marcgingras9135]

Hi from Québec, Canada. Awsome video as usual. i learned so much again. Finaly at 45 years old i can start riding so i'm pretty green. Just a Quick naïve question here....So how is Clinton Anderson "wrong"...he uses release and pressure also no? too intense i guess? thanks for enlightining me!

[@dhuber4951]

Hopefully Deb comments as well. From my viewpoint Clinton is not wrong, depending on the desired result. He approaches the issue from the performance horse world where the horse is trained to be robotic and not to use it's brain. In the ranch world a horse needs to use it's brain. Also, a horse with it's nose dragging on the ground is going to spend a lot of time on it's knees in ranch terrain.

[@marcgingras9135]

@@dhuber4951 thanks for the info....very interesting point of view!

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Clinton Anderson doesn’t do anything that we do. He uses pressure but very little release. He works his horses too fast and he drills them into submission. We want our horses to actually understand what is being asked of them and be able to do it without being under duress. He makes resentful horses that work out of fear. That said, the “recipe cards” that were mentioned in this video are a set of exercises that are printed on laminated cards that people buy.

[@marcgingras9135]

@@PatnDebPuckett i see.....for sure i like your way of doing things way better but never i will be able to have the level of confidence you show! work in progress here! thank you very much!

[@alishahjafri5231]

Wow! I want a horse

[@AnnaandRichardFerguson]

Very good whatch

[@spicer41282]

Wow! 1 of your Best! Sub'd Yesterday and 👍liked.