We haven't bought bare roots in years, and maybe it's different in your climate.
HOWEVER, I think Dr. Cairns was probably correct when he advised us NOT to do this.
His point was -- wait for the rose to show you what bud eyes it is going to grow from.
If there's useless, damaged growth ABOVE that, cut it off. Let the plant show you he way.

Jeri

The way it was explained to me is that by pruning back newly planted bare root roses, the roots have a chance to form before it is required to support top growth. The other reason (as explained to me) is that by pruning a new rose back hard, it will encourage new basal growth from the crown or at leasse from low down on the canes. Anyway, that was one persons opinion. Others may not agree.

I only do it if the canes are damaged. The hulking mosters I received from Palatine last year were planted with all canes intact, and one of them sent up two basals, which I have never had a 1st year rose do before.

I wait until the following year to do any cutting down.

Palatine's advice is very conservative and would help the roses to survive if you plunked them in the ground and then LEFT for 2 weeks! If you're going to provide consistent watering I'm with the others, look at the plants individually. The big tops with the smallest roots should be cut back. If you hill the roses up with moist shredded mulch or compost, you won't need to cut them back that much.

"I only do it if the canes are damaged." Good advice.

Carla

Thanks you guys, The plants are so nice and big and healthy I couldn't bare to cut them back. Thanks for all the advice. I think I will leave them and just keep an eye on them. Thanks, Judy