Progress on the Bay Mare: Forward Collection and Sidepassing a Log

[@CFFarm]

As always I'll tip my hat to a true horseman. Unfortunately today everyone's in a hurry and the horse truely pays ! Thank you for your wisdom!

[@michaelschulze6545]

I am a pleasure horse rider. Because of your shows I now put more emphasis on a collected frame. Thank you for converting my horse and me.

[@cg5434]

I look forward to these videos. They are seriously like gifts. Thank you!

[@Lisa_GalCali]

I love your perspective- watching this and other videos of yours give such an clear explanation of questions I have. I don’t even need to ask after watching you.

[@annewolfe7414]

I want to thank both of you for your time in putting together these videos! The knowledge and understanding of what each individual horse needs to be successful in their job.

[@loriklein5453]

Your absolutely amazing. I actually stumbled across one video and two months later I am hooked. Tonight was my first canter in 3 plus years with no bucking. BTW I made my own night latch and it really helped me ride through the bucking and hoping. I am currently trying to teach myself to rope from your videos, I have asked for help and your videos are great and thorough. Thank you for your time and contribution of knowledge to share with others. PS.. I followed your bit advice, its getting so much lighter and helps encourage me even more to pursue my dream to rescue and retrain and train horses for others. Your an angel. God Bless

[@adamsteel5320]

" I Love Your Attitude towards Life , and towards your horses ! " ... Thank-You Deb as well ! .... Vaya Con Dios !! .... from North Queenslanad , Australia.

[@tonyaturner7053]

Hello from Australia Hawkesbury River Region. Thank you again. We r side pass training on the fence on the pole, changing it up and riding out of the arena now … we gonna live up to your Aussie no winging get on with it attitude… thank thank you soooooooooo much (riding a 9 year QH old mare ) x

[@rtcooper7991]

Thank you so much for your strait to the the point approach don’t ever stop we all need you thanks so much

[@nwc872]

This horse’s conformation looks so different to me since compared to the earlier videos, she looks so good! I love seeing the progress. The log exercises are so unique, this and the side passing video are really inspiring. Love your work Pat and Deb!

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Sharp eye! Thanks for bringing that up.

[@tomperkins4620]

Hi Pat love the video’s that 12 yr mare is a beauty and is sure is worth the time to help her be her best under saddle. I noticed her hind has changed shape amazing what hours under saddle does for the physical of a saddle horse. From here in Australia horsemanship is horsemanship no matter your country or saddle type your words ring tue to your actions. You have opened conversations with more than your mount, thank you.

[@susanlewis3068]

Love your videos, absolutely agree with you about the western pleasure horse, keep posting videos, thank you sir!

[@joycewoolley9003]

I am enjoying your videos ,I have gained a lot of visual information already,, I have nothing but time, I will go slow, as I totally agree with you on that, I have nothing but time, enjoying my horses, and the bond that we share! thank you so much!

[@davidphelan6861]

Thank you for the wealth of knowledge that you are willing to share with us. I really appreciate it, I always learn a lot when I watch your videos and I find myself returning to them many times. It is clear that you have great feeling for your own horses and those that you are training for others.

[@BacktotheBasics101]

Love your videos, I’ve rode since I was a child and you’re helping me tremendously. I’ve shared your videos to every rancher and Neighbor on the western side of the stateND that I come across.

[@angelopennella7751]

Doing a great job it shows a real passion whit you're skill with feelling

[@gillyflower1000]

Great. Thank you. Your comment about the western pleasure way of going made me smile

[@nicolecourt7829]

Thank you mr, Puckett for all you teach to furthers generation, that’s a great knowledge. I’m just an old woman in Switzerland ( not a barn witch...i promise) just doing little trails with retired horse.. it’s a living dream to see your videos ,you are teaching your horses how to work but you have a real respect for the nature of the horse and i love that.

[@chelackie]

So glad you said that about the low head carriage of pleasure horses.

[@daretodreamequestrian6136]

Love your videos I’m training a 4 yo Australian stock horse and you are really helping use... I’m in Victoria Australia

[@richardvroman7184]

This is a very, very good video...

[@jackieevans1208]

Thank you so much for your brilliant videos. I,m trying to go back to basics with my Arab who has become so confused with my riding signals. (My fault not his). You make just perfect sense of everything . I,m an English lass living in France and you have given me back my confidence to try again. My horse deserves the best and I must get it right for him.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

That is a great story. Thank you. This makes it all worthwhile.

[@ryandavis2388]

Thank you, getting my 7yo mustang mare to side pass and collect much better thanks to these last few videos. I also feel like my basic riding skill has improved a lot by practicing your methods. Hope y'all having fun with making these.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

We are. Thank you for asking!

[@johnbosco8209]

Very nice explanation. I liked this video.

[@karryphillips6411]

I enjoy these videos thanks for sharing your wisdom and knowledge.

[@lauramoy9940]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you. It seems like reining people have the horses head on the ground to do their sliding stops. If the horse is a prey animal it doesn't seem kind. Laura frm Alaska

[@lisajignoffo9442]

Love your videos! You break everything down so it is so easily understood! Thank you so much! I want a partnership with my horse, your videos show me how to get there! I’m a trail rider, that likes to ride every day.

[@kengamble8595]

Dang good philosophy ! 😊 Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍

[@tomperkins4620]

Oh yeah like the blue dog circling the outside the round yard. They are close to my heart just like horses they follow.

[@calebreinbold2411]

Hello from Buffalo ny. I ride lots of different horses as I'm blessed to know folks and help on different outfits from NY to MT. Could you please give some advice on how you asses a horse for attitude and ability when you have never ridden them, and usually need to step right on get work done on them. As I understand this is how things used to go for cowboys working big outfits. Thanks so much for your videos ! They have really helped my roping. I caught a yearling with a del viento on Saturday and that was really fun! Thanks alot!

[@SFD-Horses]

Thank you for this. I was wondering how to start teaching this to my horse

[@joelhamilton6720]

Always so good !!!

[@shaneloebert1968]

Great stuff, putting things into perspective! Thank you

[@BillZaspel]

Very good videos and really appreciate all your work. Glad I found you. I would like to know where I can find a set of training bit with crickets? Here in central Kentucky there are lots of retail outlets but none that understand what you are doing with the bit and I don't trust online sources to spend any money to get the right bit. I have watched your video on bits but you don't mention any place to buy. Thanks for all your work, both in front of as well as behind the camera. I really value your experience and advice.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

We’re glad you’re enjoying our videos and finding them helpful. The Missing Link Snaffle is Pat’s creation. It’s available on our website www.thedisciplinedride.com .

[@adriennemiller1642]

That last part.... exactly

[@medlaketrap]

I really really really enjoy your videos!! Your way of riding seems so perfect to me and makes so much sense... i hope i can get half as good as you someday. Ive got my own mare bred so I'm learning as much as i can so hopefully i don't screw it up in three years. Ive got one question... how do you tell if a horse will make the spade bit or not?... can you see it as a 2-3 year old ...??

[@medlaketrap]

Im in northeast Montana... Medicine Lake

[@PatnDebPuckett]

All horses can benefit from this style of horsemanship but not all horses are Bridle Horse prospects. In our world, a horse should be built uphill or, at the very least, level. Some modern quarter horses are built downhill which is counterproductive to carrying a spade. The horse should also have a refined throatlatch and a long, well balanced neck that ties into the shoulder on the high side. But none of this makes any difference if the horse doesn’t have a willingness to learn and a certain amount of athleticism. After saying all of that, I have seen some amazing horses that have overcome a host of physical disadvantages to make awesome Bridle horses while some of the most perfect physical specimens haven’t turned out well at all. So much of what makes a Bridle Horse can’t be quantified. It has to be felt. Now that I’ve made that as clear as mud, I’ll wish you good luck!

[@leealexander3507]

When your stallion comes to the gate and stands waiting to be tacked up with the gate wide open even if there are mares, stands waiting to be mounted and heads eagerly for the trail although he's barely started I'd say I'm not doing too bad with him. Especially since I got him as too unmanageable to halter.

[@gemcanyonproductions5660]

Lee you should make your own channel and share with us. Sounds amazing!

[@leealexander3507]

@@gemcanyonproductions5660 I haven't been able to speak since a surgery eleven years ago or I'd have a channel already.

[@leealexander3507]

@@gemcanyonproductions5660 Besides, I just happened to get lucky and found the perfect horse for me.

[@mozelle1234]

Off topic what do you suggest for summer sores on donkeys? I've been fighting for over a year with them here in DeLand Florida. Any advice would be appreciated, we've done everything and had vets out.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Pat’s response was “What’s a summer sore?” We don’t have any humidity here so we never have to deal with summer sores. I’m curious about what you’ve tried already. We have friends in Georgia who might have an actual opinion.

[@mozelle1234]

@@PatnDebPuckett when they get a small wound flies pick at it that's what we call summer sores and it turns to proud flesh most of the time on their lower limbs and hooves. I've used blue kote, wound kote, wonder dust, nu stock, shapleys mtg, swat, Corona ointment, vet prescription creams, and every combination of fly spray and essential oils you can think of. They will heal almost to the point of growing hair back but the cycle starts completely over if something tears that area up again. We've covered with bandages, leg wraps, fly boots, ladies stocking so the wounds can breathe..... Hopefully your Georgia friends might know something new. Thanks for any help or advice.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Here’s what I found out: Worm with Ivermectin or Quest. Treat the lesion with DMSO/Cortisone topically. You can also have a vet inject the lesion with steroids. Here’s an article that might be useful: aaep.org/horsehealth/summer-sores

[@namkumureronat1496]

Super.. Thank you..

[@lisabaker9036]

I couldn't agree more when talked about the low headed western pleasure horses. I like their heads up too! And of course nicely on the bit. Sad part is, they have ruined the reining horse too. Those low low heads are sickening! I like to remember the " stock horses "( as they called them) in the 70s. They looked like real ranch horses. I also remember when the cricket bit was very popular in the show ring. I realy don't like the direction all of the horse showing world has gone. EXCEPT the ranch riding classes look really good. Hope they don't ruin that too. As always, realy enjoy your videos. Some of them( like this one)I watch more than once.

[@poll2dock]

I've got an 8 yo TWH mare. Got her at 6. She was a Futurity champion. She is over 16 hands, big boned , and xl size bridle. She is sweet, wants to please and I can control her groundwork movements in arena with just arm signals. I spent first year desensitizing to outdoors. Second year I had knee replacement so couldn't work with her much. Now I'm riding her in my arenas again but still don't have enough confidence to trail ride her. I can sense her anxiety. Any tips on retraining a horse that was raised to show

[@PatnDebPuckett]

First, whenever you feel her anxiety, you need to breathe and relax your body. The other suggestion would be for you to pony this mare from a gentle horse that doesn’t have anxiety. When you feel like this is no big deal and she is relaxed throughout the ride, get on. I would say to ride with a friend but you need to make a pact with that friend that they can’t leave you and they can’t get in a hurry. The ride has to be at your pace. If you don’t have anyone who will be a calming influence, it would be better to ride alone. If you get scared, get off. One other thing, I find it helps me on an uncertain horse to get moving. Don’t just creep along looking for something to be afraid of. Get her moving. Use one of those fancy gaits she undoubtedly has. She’ll have to pay more attention to where her feet are landing than what might scare her.

[@poll2dock]

Deb Puckett Thank you for reply I do ride with my son who rides a seasoned 14 yo TWH mare and it does help. She is very calm. I guess it comes down to patience and persistence. I can get off her if I feel unsafe but then I can't get back on without something to step up. She's huge. If I didn't know she was registered I'd swear she was half draft. Lol Plus I have bad knee now. Anyway I love this horse. She's gentle and very responsive. I'm the problem not her. I'm not giving up. I've trained two other horses and damn it I'll do it again. Keep up the videos👍🏻

[@joycewoolley9003]

I truly enjoy your video's! I have a question maybe you could help me with, what does it mean to ride low? thank you!

[@PatnDebPuckett]

I’m not sure. If you mean “Long and Low,” that is an english term for having the horse reach his neck out low usually in a trot. Their thinking is that this will allow the horse to use his back and engage his hindquarters. The horse is encouraged to take the reins out of the rider’s hands (which is something we never allow a horse to do) and lean on the bit. There is a time and place where we trot on a loose rein and allow the horse to relax. In fact that is the way we ride much of the time when we are out covering ground. But as an exercise, I believe it is a misconception about how a horse must organize his body in order to achieve collection. Basically it’s like New Math. It’s part of New Dressage. That is unless I’m completely off the mark and you are talking about something else...

[@raymondjohnson6708]

Is the split bit something that you typically train in

[@PatnDebPuckett]

I don’t know what you mean by split bit but this is a Missing Link Snaffle: www.thedisciplinedride.com/store

[@flyinghranch16]

What’s Mr Pats thoughts on hackamore versus snaffle In working a horse like this?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

We reserve the bosal for young horses that are on their way to the spade bit. This mare is a 12 year old that has been ridden incorrectly in a bit for years so the bosal wouldn't be something that could help her understand lateral work and collection.

[@flyinghranch16]

Deb Puckett so on say my three year old I am doing ok staying in the hackamore?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Absolutely.

[@Tablespoonmischief]

Deb Puckett So I had a question then regarding the snaffle. If the snaffle is so much more effective for re-educating the older horse, then why is it not considered a more viable option for education the young horse in foundational movements? I understand that it was not part of the Old California tradition, and I understand the value of what starting a horse in a hackamore can provide, but considering how effective of a tool the snaffle can be with a remedial horse, would it not be just as valuable of a tool for a young horse in order to more effectively teach the complex flexions that we want in a bridle horse?

[@flyinghranch16]

Evan Bonner I am no where near handy but just like I won’t use a young horse like an old horse because of bone maturity, I always think of a horses mouth the same way. Let those teeth grow in and not be banging around on them. At least that is my theory, it’s worth what it cost you. Haha

[@shawnwstevenson]

Hi Pat- you mention that the mare is 12 yrs old multiple times. Deb asks a question about doing that exercise and you say that you’d not do a ton of this backing up exercise with a younger colt. Well, i got that message too late and started working a 23 month old colt that has a great mind and tries his guts out and rides with a ton of feel and does most things off the seat bones already. I’m really not in a hurry, but he’s really catching on fast. I’ve followed this exercise and this colt backs willingly with collection and a loose rein. He seems like an advanced colt in some areas. How do you know when to quit on an extra good 2 yr old? And how do you know if you’re going too fast? Thanks.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Backing is one of the last things to be perfected in a colt. One, two, maybe three steps at a time is plenty. At that age, it’s best to stay out of the arena as much as possible to avoid repetitive movements. If he gives you ONE good try on something, quit. Get outside. Let him see the country. If you keep up with a more intense training regimen on a colt that age, you’ll eventually wear him down and you risk hurting him when he’s that young.

[@stevenfoulger6066]

Do you find counter arches fruitful? My gelding can move off his hind quarters and front quarters fairly well, and his side pass is not too bad. we're working on his collection and it's coming along. I have tried to get him into counter arches just to get him more refined, but he just gets confused and goes into a side pass. I know it's me that's probably contributing to his confusion. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Pat does this exercise coming home during the last 5 minutes of the ride. He’s moving in a straight line and reaches back with one of his legs to drive the hindquarters over. This results in the hindquarters wanting to reach toward home while the front end is still traveling forward. If you put a little energy in your other leg, your horse will bend around your leg in the arc you’re after. Once the horse understands what you want, you can do it in different situations but this is the beginning of the counter arc. Performance trainers have them counter bent in a turn around and then let them bend the correct way to get a faster turn around. I never found it to speed up my turn around or help with the accuracy. I think it just demonstrates that you have control over over your horse’s movement.

[@stevenfoulger6066]

@@PatnDebPuckett Thanks once again for taking the time to respond. I'm not in the Performance world. Just want to learn to do the best I can for my horses. Thanks for your input. God Bless.

[@SamboJo87]

What do you do if the horse decides to lock up not move at all?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Get off. Put your halter on. Get the horse to sidepass from the ground until the horse is freed up. Put the bridle back on. Get on and try again. Be true to yourself. Don’t get back on until you feel good about it. There’s nothing wrong with getting off of a horse if you feel threatened.

[@SamboJo87]

@@PatnDebPuckett Thanks for validating that. 👍🏼

[@charliepeters5756]

Deb, I have never seen someone use the two-rein method while going to the western bit. Why is this?

[@buckaroomanreh]

I'm not Deb, I'm to ugly and hairy. But in the californio, vaquero and buckaroo world there is a two rein stage were you use the bosal and spade or halfbreed to get them used to the bit I'd like to see them do a video covering it and here his perspective. It is a very important stage in the making of a bridle horse.

[@troybarbare9191]

What would happen to horse if you send home in western bit and the gentleman that owns her doesn’t have to skill set or ability to continue the training and goes back to old habits in the western bit?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

It is the responsibility of the owner to step up and ride better. Contrary to popular opinion, a regular, garden variety western bit is milder than a snaffle. So sending a horse home in a western bit is better for the horse. Also, it is just a little bit intimidating to the rider and they have just handed us a bunch of money to train their horse so we hope that they won’t want to throw it away. So now that I’ve set the stage to answer your question, if the owner of the horse doesn’t ride well, the horse will just get dull.

[@troybarbare9191]

@@PatnDebPuckett ok thank you, I was just curious, didn’t know if someone fell back to old habits if they would damage the horses mouth

[@leealexander3507]

My horse will sidepass and collect tackless and has never tried to back instead. No pole needed.

[@MrsFrogmother1]

💋

[@gemcanyonproductions5660]

Yes sir, they cant put their weight on the hindquarters if their heads in the dirt.

[@scottjohnson2017]

Lol cigar eat