Clearing Up Some Questions on The Western Bit

We've been getting some emails and phone calls from folks with questions about Pat's Western Bit. For example, some people think it is not loose jawed. Other people had the impression that this is the same bit that Pat uses on Chinaco...to name a few. So we decided to make a short video explaining this bit and comparing it to some other bits. Cinder is put to work to demonstrate how the Western Bit compares to a San Joaquin that we also ride him in. So, all in all, this is the usual, information packed video that I'm sure you'll enjoy. For more information, please visit our website, www.thediscipli... . Please take a moment to hit the Like button, Subscribe to our channel, and Share with your friends. Thank you!

[@tinoyb9294]

Puts his head down for the bridle and steps up to the block for mounting. What a nice pony!

[@JohnDoe2.01]

Thanks Pat. I always learn something from your videos. Please keep them coming. I hope you both are doing well.

[@ronaldbrunker7288]

I really appreciate your videos. You have lived the life and just want to pass on your knowledge. I learn something every time I watch one of your videos. I will never be a cowboy, ranch hand but I hope to be able to enjoy the horse life now that life is slowing down

[@johnlmoore7745]

I got my Western Bit yesterday and put it on my five-year-old this evening. He's been a bit picky about what I put in his mouth, but he accepted this bit readily and carried it with no complaint. Thanks.

[@joelhamilton6720]

You are a very patient man with your fellow man.

[@skidaddle32]

Thanks for the explanation - beautiful horse too!

[@LionHeart0808]

I love how y’all are making stuff for true working cow hands. There is so much Chinese junk on the market. Thanks for making these types of things accessible to the working hand.

[@jpthrift9210]

Thank you for producing a quality product that some of us prefer to use over cheap inferior options. I don’t like the Chinese garbage at most stores these days. Nice to see I’m not the only one who feels that way. I will be ordering the western bit asap.

[@pfinch58]

Still love my "Pat's western bit"!! After 2 seasons in missing link snaffle and time to install cues, little 23% Poco Bueno mare bridled up beautifully in self-carriage and is a little one-handed wonder with immediate respect, maturity, and control. Still grinning!! Others who have been riding in snaffles and others should really feel this, seems magical to have a good horse respond to skeletal and indirect cues with minimal signal from hands and loose reins! Not a real cowboy but push some cows and Boer goats with some trail riding. Thanks, Pat!

[@PatnDebPuckett]

May I share your experience on our Community Page and Facebook?

[@pfinch58]

Absolutely!! Just wish I would have known this stuff 40 years ago! lol! Oh wait! that was before youtube. But my horses have been the real winners by applying the californio stuff as explained by Pat, thanks so much!

[@PatnDebPuckett]

@@pfinch58 Thank you!

[@vicki1141]

​@@PatnDebPuckettwhere do I find d links to your community page a d your Facebook page ? Thanks.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

@@vicki1141 The link to our website is in the description of all of our videos and it scrolls on the screen at the end of each video: www.thedisciplinedride.com

[@wecu4dk]

Thank you Thank you Thank you. From Idaho Falls, ID.

[@user-ds3xl7wj5u]

You didn't waste my time. Thanks for the information.

[@juliacrookston9053]

So interesting, as always.

[@PetPrepRadioShow]

Always enjoy your content Pat--Praying for you and Deb! Hope to meet you all one day!

[@diannahoda2589]

Thanks Pat (and Deb). Great video!

[@modocroughstock5700]

Always... the best information

[@serenityhorsemanship3365]

Thank You Pat!!!

[@joelhamilton6720]

I hope to aquire a bit some day

[@epona9166]

What is the purpose of the chains at the ends of the shanks? You see leverage bits with nothing between the shanks, some with chains, and some with flat solid pieces of metal (like a Sliester). I'm assuming the flat solid pieces are for bits where the cheeks are hinged at the mouthpiece, so they don't move too much. Your bit isn't hinged so you wouldn't need a solid piece. But why chains as opposed to nothing? And why two chains as opposed to one? Thanks so much!

[@stevegarrett4869]

Why even have the wheel on there? Our finished horses just used something with no wheel and a little less bend on the mouth bar. Breaking horses it was snaffle. If the horse was very hard to get mouth and head control we go twisted wire. But only for training. Goal was ride loose rein and one handed. But of course I love seeing how others do things. I love how your horses really have some training that is nuanced but very practical.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

The cricket encourages the horse to relax his tongue which causes his jaw to relax. The higher the port the more signal is possible. We never use twisted wire on a horse because we want our horses to respond to and be controlled by pressure not pain. I would challenge you to lay that twisted wire snaffle across the palm of your hand and have someone pull on the rings. Now do the same thing with a solid bar. Which one would you prefer in your mouth? We also ride with one hand but we want our horses in collection and self carriage when they're doing a job.

[@mulletmanjeeper]

Can pat do a video on the difference of short and long shank bits?

[@tw_neo708]

Short shank bits have less leverage. A leverage bit works like a lever. There's a lot of sources online explaining different shank styles.

[@twowheeledworld]

I watched how to measure with the wooden spoon in this video. Are you measuring the width of the outside of the horses cheek skin? Or is it the width of the outside of the teeth?

[@dirksimmang]

Bridle up ?. i think i know what that Means ..😊

[@billartamenko1940]

Can I order a western bit with a Santa Rosa cheek??

[@PatnDebPuckett]

No. If you want something other than what you see, you should contact a custom bit maker.

[@myronfarrar3565]

Hi Pat. I have a question on that western bit can you take his head away if he spooks like you can in a snaffle bit?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

No you can’t do a one rein stop. You should be past that phase when you ride in a western bit. That said, you can shut a horse down by pulling back and using the leverage aspect of this bit.

[@mpande_mt]

Please talk same more about the cricket' what are we missing out on, if my horse and I didn't learn to ride Western.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

The cricket allows you to listen for the sound and understand your horse's state of mind. If he's working the cricket non-stop, it's either a new and novel thing for him or he's nervous. If he never works the cricket, he is braced in his mouth and jaw. If he works the cricket intermittently, that's a good thing. It can also reflect whether you are nervous or relaxed. If your horse is working the cricket anxiously and you relax your body, exhale, and touch him on the neck, you might be able to influence him to stop rolling the cricket. The main advantage of riding western is that you ride with one hand which forces you to use your body rather than your hands to communicate with your horse.

[@mpande_mt]

@@PatnDebPuckettI remember my first and the last time I was on horseback I was using a snaffle, with no idea on how to communicate with that horse but I managed to get home safely with a very sour parts the next day. I must say am leaning a lot from your work and my next experience will be we informed from viewing your channel, am looking forward to all the owning my first horse and riding Western

[@paulathompson2792]

Would you please share what the size of the mouthpiece of your western bit is on the black horse Do most quarter horses fit in the 51/4 mouthpiece Was wondering if the black horse wears the 5 1/4 or 5 1/2 Just for comparison Thank you

[@tinoyb9294]

His website, the disciplined ride, shows 3 available sizes. I'm sure Pat and Deb would appreciate your checking it out.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Cinder is wearing a 5 1/4" but we recommend you measure your horse's mouth to determine the best size. Here's the original video showing how we measure: kzbin.info/www/bejne/an6caZx9gbZkgrc

[@sarahpawsey1263]

Apolagies if this is a daft question, I am still very much in my learning stages. Can this bit be used with a romel rein, please?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Sure it can. Whatever you feel comfortable using. The romal, however, is only used when you don't ever need to offset your hand like you can with the split reins.

[@sarahpawsey1263]

@@PatnDebPuckett thank you 😊

[@sarahpawsey1263]

Hi Deb and Pat. I have sent you an email RE my western bit that arrived today. If you could please reply x

[@mcaleerranching1808]

Totally unrelated! How long was it after your hip replacement? Did it take you to get back riding?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

3 months.

[@mcaleerranching1808]

@PatnDebPuckett Thanks, it gives me a time-line I can use for my own baseline. Here's hoping for a January operation date!

[@mcaleerranching1808]

@@PatnDebPuckett p.s. it was the Pallimillio loop.

[@cotythomas2454]

When do you go from snaffle of some sort to Western bit

[@PatnDebPuckett]

When you can do the log exercise with one hand by using your legs and body and when you can walk forward, stop, and back up off of your seat. Sidepassing the Logs on a Bridle Horse kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnLPiaeam76FocU

[@cotythomas2454]

Thank you

[@ricke714]

Do y’all ever use chain curb straps?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Yes. As Pat stated in this video, curb straps are used on ALL western bits. That's how they work. If you don't have a curb strap, all you're doing is turning the bit over in the horse's mouth causing him to gap his mouth open and pulling on the corners of his mouth.

[@epona9166]

@@PatnDebPuckett The question was whether you ever use chains, or always leather. I was wondering the same thing.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

@@epona9166 We use leather.

[@johnjacobs4207]

They're really confused now because no one is schooling with the principle of bend first. Watch the horse's head go up when the curb strap comes in contact with the jaw

[@danielreasor6487]

How old is pat

[@PatnDebPuckett]

73