Thoughts on Split Reins & Roping "Bugs"

In this video, Pat clarifies his use of split reins. And we introduce "Bugs," a ranch horse from Baja. Pat ropes him off of Prieto and contrasts the way this horse responds to being roped with the way that less gentle horses react. Thank you very much for watching. Head on over to our website www.thedisciplinedride.com for information on our schedule and see what we have in our online store.

[@MartindaleCurt]

Hello pat and deb. My name is Curt martindale I work for the Douglas Lake cattle company up in British Columbia canada. Sure like watching your videos and how you always make your training practical like you’re out getting a job done. Take care and happy holidays.

[@gabbette999]

I love this so much. I could (& do) watch this for literally hours.

[@candyconrad5210]

Enjoyed your latest video on reins and baja horses. I have a Mexican horse out of Sonora. He is now in excess of twenty years old. I rode him on round up last spring for three eight to twelve hours days and he never missed a step. He is the best all around horse I have ever owned by far.Keep up the good work. Jerry Conrad Benson az

[@howlerbushcraft342]

That was some of the most beautiful work I've seen.

[@randolphlearning5255]

Great video thanks Pat and Deb.

[@janboogaerts1616]

Thanks for elaborating on the bridle reins

[@Meanfidler]

New Mexican living in England watching you and you are a gem of wisdom. Thank you.

[@Tradingmikekersting]

thank you so much for your great work here at youtube and out in your corell. we wanna say merry chrismas for you an we wish you and all others a happy new year!

[@jamesdean3003]

Always enjoy y'alls videos! Thanks James from Bowie Texas

[@jeanfish7]

Love the " leading around" WITHOUT A LEAD !!!:)

[@tomhofer8996]

Pat and Deb MerryChristmas and all the best to you love your information and style

[@kengamble8595]

Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍

[@terrygordon9155]

Hi Pat and Deb, love your video’s and your straight forward approach and sense of humour, thanks , from Northland New Zealand

[@BillZaspel]

The amount of information presented in this video is beyond some basic simple suggestions. I have saved this video specifically to use again and again to a special playlist because of the content. Awesome stuff throughout and a fantastic lesson. Thank you so much for all of the work you do, both in front of, and behind the camera. Your lessons have become an invaluable tool in my saddle bags that I can use over and over. Fantastic!

[@46rambo49]

Western Colorado, great info on your videos, thank you, ride a mecate and bosal no bit, seems to work for me, keep the info coming, folks and the horses appreciate it.

[@ghettoyeti50]

Mr. Pat. This roping idea helps me with everyday contact on my mare. I can't toss like you but the concept is brilliant for rowdy ponies. I hope I live long enough to keep it up.susan in floral city fl

[@Paul11B2P]

Good song , great video 👍

[@noninoni9962]

LOL... I stopped using "split reins" with my first horse when I was six years old... I accidently dropped one rein and couldn't stop her as she ran full speed back to the barn... So, after that I would tie a knot close to what you showed for the #2 position on your "roping reins" ... I've been self taught all through my riding days (watching western shows were my only instruction), and naturally picked up on what worked the best for the horses and myself... Now it's called "pressure and release," before that it was what these new age trainers used, then called themselves "Horse Whisperers." To me it's common sense if you understand that horses are prey animals. I'm really happy horses no longer need to be "broke" to be trained. I'm learning more and more with every video! You're my idol!

[@shirleycooper2048]

Just love ur videos!!!! Thanks

[@treycalvert1900]

Merry Christmas Mr. & Mrs. Puckett

[@michaelschulze6545]

A true cowboy at work. Something like this you only see in vintage footage.

[@kentsaeger8403]

Good job on the video thanks for sharing ! I am in very cold and snowy mn.wish I was in California 😎

[@johnbosco8209]

Very good one

[@andreasweber1254]

Marry Christmas and a happy new Year from the German Fan

[@MrSanteeclaus]

Thank you once again

[@joelhamilton6720]

Hello From Northern MN

[@jeffd1919]

Agreed! Favorite sound = when propane gets shut off.

[@reidbankert4425]

I was wondering if you guys could do a video on the figure 8 loop? I can keep it in the figure 8 but have no idea how to keep it in the figure 8 when I throw it. Thanks for another great video.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

We can make it in the future. It’s not something that can be taught on a roping dummy.

[@johnhead9148]

Merry Christmas and a very happy new year. Okay maybe I am not up to this branding mental challenge of branding on both sides of a fire in the middle of the corral. The only problem I had was not giving myself a shot nor branding the wrong side---what mental puzzle were you referring too? After several hundred head who is watching?

[@evantv2547]

great video. I prefer flat hand, split reins myself.

[@Horsesaremyearthlytreasure1953]

Thank you for another great video! Very curious about Bugs, what is he breeding? Is he going to be for sale?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Bugs is a grade horse from Baja. I couldn’t begin to guess his lineage. He has good bone and big feet. He came out of the quarantine about a hundred pounds lighter than when he went in. We’ll get him back on the payroll and then offer him for sale in the coming weeks.

[@colbycaldwell9170]

Thank you pat I’m from Roosevelt Utah and nobody knows what a spade but horse is when people ask why I want to make a bridle horse I tell them I want a horse like pats horses

[@ryanwilkie5515]

Rangely Colorado.

[@garymclaren7185]

Snow almost all gone here . Got to get riding . Also on your opinion on ranch sorting . I can't afford to cut and no ranches within a1000 miles and l am too damn old to move . I did some calf roping 50 year ago and rode some range out wedt

[@lauramoy9940]

Does dally up mean wrap the rope around the horn? Ive been to a branding many years ago. Cant remember whether there was a wood filre or stove. Love, love love Dave Stamey music.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

yes.

[@geraldstone8396]

Good video. By the way you were photo bombed by the white horse lol.

[@lazyheartqh]

Can you please help me understand why the Mona Lisa is not a signal bit and the half breed is? They both are straight across the tongue. Is it the width of the “port” or the cover? If it is the cover, why does that make it a leverage bit? Thank you for sharing your hard earned knowledge. Beau Vincent Diana tx

[@PatnDebPuckett]

The Mona Lisa does not have a straight cannon bar, instead the port is formed into the cannon bar. Also, the Mona Lisa is generally a lower port than a Half Breed. If you think about the height of the port offering the horse more opportunity for feeling the signal, you’ll understand how a Mona Lisa is not as effective as a Half Breed. The cover is simply a way for the sound of the cricket to resonate more. We don’t like them because they get packed with grass and hay.

[@lazyheartqh]

Pat & Deb Puckett thank you. The issue might be also due to faulty vocabulary on my part. When the port is bent into the cannon and open at the bottom with cricket and hood I thought that was a Salinas mouth. Basically a 2 inch leverage port with a cricket and hood. What I thought was Mona Lisa is basically a wide half breed or US mouth the cannon is straight act cross the tongue with the cover. I understand your answer and greatly appreciate it sir.

[@rrrrrr-ry3cn]

The way you rope that white horse was realy like the way I chack out new shelter dogs that come to training

[@NNLBC]

Bugs is sweet, kind eyes, he really wanted to be your friend. Any idea how he is doing now?

[@AndersonCattleCo]

When you order from the store how quick do you send the order? I ordered 2 weeks ago and nothing has been shipped.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

I would need your name in order to look that up for you. Typically, items that are in stock are shipped out the same week. If you ordered the Missing Link Snaffle, there is a 5-6 week wait as stated in the item description. If you’d like to email me with your ordering information, I’m happy to help [e-mail] .

[@AndersonCattleCo]

I ordered the snaffle so I guess I won't worry about it for Christmas now and I better buy something in Canada.

[@billgieser1259]

Hello, I'm up here in North Dakota. Its about -6 right now, perfect video watching day. Why does Pat want to cut the hood off of a bit with a cricket? Thanks and Merry Christmas!

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Because they just get packed with old hay and grass.

[@garymclaren7185]

Just watched the bit demo simple to the point. If files don't understand now. They should as you say throw their saddle in the crick

[@stevensinclair9809]

Hey pat my name is Steven Sinclair and I live in California south of Sacramento and I have a thoroughbred/quarter horse that I want to start roping on her, so I did what you were doing with the bay mare. But my mare was so scared that she started bolting and was really crazy. So I stopped calmed her down as she was still a tad spooked

[@jeanfish7]

Slow but steady...

Thank you for common sense commentary

[@kristeenbatten823]

what kind of rope does pat use? I am located in lower Michigan :)

[@richardcameron3681]

Kristeen Batten nylon 5/16 soft king ropes

[@randyross4298]

Todo bien Amigo. Share with me where you buy your rope. Thanks.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

King Ropes in Sheridan WY

[@randyross4298]

@@PatnDebPuckett Thank you. I’ve bought from them before, some years ago when the old man was still working in the store. I’ve been using poly ropes here in sw Montana for many years. Thought I’d try the soft nylon Pat spoke of.

[@scottprice2967]

Hey Pat Can you address the purchase part of the bit versus the shank we all know it’s all for show and we all know what’s in the middle with ports steeples and rollers sweet iron etc the flat hand versus a tunnel hand are part of the ranching world split reins makes for a better handle browband versus ear loop when do ya think that’s better

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Thank you for the good questions... The purchase has to be long enough so the bit can offer the horse a signal but not so long that it isn’t balanced. Most spades have a 2 to 2 1/2 inch purchase. Lower than that and you have a pure leverage bit. Higher than that and you have a bit that puts too much pressure on the pole and it isn’t balanced. The shank is not just for show. The shape of the shank and whether or not it has a counter balance compliments different horses’ conformations. Split reins don’t make for a better handle. A horse that rides off of the rider’s body has a better handle. We prefer a browband rather than a one ear headstalls because it keeps the bit straight in the horse’s mouth at high speed and in steep country.

[@jeanfish7]

@@PatnDebPuckett I agree, single ear bridles always seem off balanced to me

[@scottprice2967]

Pat & Deb Puckett Well I disagree with you a little bit on the split reins as young horses green horses have no idea how to move off of leg pressure so split reins do provide a little more control and a little more direction but y’all are doing a great job and I love your videos please don’t be offended at the comments one Horsemen to another I love the challenge

[@jeanfish7]

Dark horse's neck is looking better.. A bit more muscle there.:)

[@tinoyb9294]

Baja as in Baja California, Mexico or just south of somewhere?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Baja California, Mexico

[@jeanfish7]

All I can say is reins don't mean anything....our old cow horse was in a full spade, with split reins, cause the previous owner didn't want to pay extra for " fancy reins"...

[@webebeachleys]

What does that mouthpiece look like?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

It’s a Mona Lisa. It isn’t our favorite mouthpiece but it belongs to the man who wants to buy this horse so that’s what we’re using at this time.

[@ltrocha]

Hi Pat, As good a hand as you are... as well as you explain things... as well as you demonstrate what you mean... 99% of the viewers will have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Why? Because they are not horsemen. They are simply horse owners looking for entertainment. I hate to say that and I wish it wasn't true. But I'm guessing at most of the clinics you do, you see this example time and time again. You are doing a good job though so hopefully some folks get some good out of it.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

I think we attract a different class of viewer. We have actual cowboys and true students who are seriously interested in good horsemanship. We feel fortunate to have the caliber of viewers that we do.

[@ltrocha]

@@PatnDebPuckett Hi Deb, You are probably right. The horse show world is full of wanna bees who really don't understand much about horsemanship. I wish it wasn't that way.

[@patriciastaton6182]

I feel any horse can ride in a sniffle bit

[@georgepengelly2434]

Snaffle? You still have to train and ride the horse properly or they get round with their nose stuck out not on the bit.

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Any horse CAN be ridden in a snaffle bit. It’s designed for a direct pull on the corners of the horse’s mouth and is good for teaching lateral work. However, it’s not practical when a higher level of collection is needed and it’s not practical when you need to ride one handed for roping or working gates as demonstrated in this video. Also, I might add that the snaffle bit is more likely to be abused by the rider because they think they are riding a “kind” bit. When force is concentrated in a smaller area, it is amplified. Conversely, when force is spread out over a larger area, it is dispersed. So, a snaffle concentrates pressure and can do quite a bit of damage to the structures of a horse’s mouth and cause a lot of pain. A western bit with a properly adjusted curb strap causes pressure but the pressure is dispersed over a larger area. Plus a good western bit has the ability to communicate with the horse through a signal if ridden correctly with good timing. So the leverage aspect of that type of bit does not have to come into play. With a snaffle bit, there are less possibilities for the bit being used as a signal. Thank you for your comment.

[@epona9166]

@@PatnDebPuckett I have ordered the missing link snaffle and expect to have my horse in it for awhile because we aren't solid on the lateral work yet. But there will come a time when I'll want to switch over to a leverage bit and I'm not clear what that bit would be. I don't ever expect to be at the signal bit level; I just want to work on collection and self carriage. Can I do that in a not-too-ong shanked bit with a low port and maybe a cricket? I had in mind a bit like the one you tried on the bay mare and then abandoned because you said it was too light for her. Does that sound about right for where I'm going?

[@PatnDebPuckett]

You’ll want to find a bit with some weight to it like a Sleister or the Santa Susana we offer on our website. I don’t recommend a low port. The height of the port doesn’t make the bit severe. It just gives your horse an opportunity to respond to a signal if your timing is good. And I always opt for a cricket.

[@brockallison9303]

It’s funny how just about every video has someone who thinks pat is too fat, he’s being mean, or he shouldn’t use spurs, it’s a different world out there I guess. Just don’t mention to th

[@PatnDebPuckett]

brock allison It is a different world where people hide behind computer screens and type things they’d never say in person. We also are dealing with a generation of people who honestly believe that horses should never be ridden and dogs should all be turned out together to fend for themselves. How’s that song go...”People are crazy!”

[@joelhamilton6720]

Still waiting to learn what Roping Bugs are ? Jk

[@PatnDebPuckett]

Bugs is the name of the horse that is being roped…Roping Bugs.