Two days with Buck Brannaman

I think one of David Letterman's best interviews:



And I was fortunate to have him visit our area not 15 minutes from my house!

What did I think?

It was a four day seminar and I audited it (meaning I watched from the sidelines).  Listening to him explain what he does and watching him perform with his horse is amazing.  The horse becomes his legs and Buck's cues look effortless and are miniscule.  He said his 3-1/2  horse rode (above & below) was green broke...  Well, she was amazing.  I enjoyed his stories and his "politically incorrect" banter and his teaching, but I think if you were a rider, his classes were too big (20+) to give immediate feedback, if any at all, per individual.  I noticed a number of people continually doing the same "wrong" thing time and again.  It seems to me he needed a few "ground" assistants to carry through his instructions effectively.

After lunch, they had the cattle reigning activity.  First, he instructed and showed everyone how to use another horse and rider as the "cow" and practice that way.  I think the majority of horses had fun with this, once they caught on.  Of course, most of the moves that were practiced in the morning class were put in to use here.

Buck "thanking" his horse for a job well done.

Would I go audit another Buck seminare.  Definitely, yes.  Would I participate as a horse and rider? Not so sure.

"Buck Brannaman" seminar this weekend in nearby Reidsville, NC

Buck Brannaman?  Hmm, I think we'll stay here and keep an eye on the place while you're gone

Well, these two mares could use a bit of work and they are for lease with "a bit of work needed" in mind.  The horse is a bit shy and needs lots of handling and the pony has been riderless for a few years and is fat and a bit head strong (as a pony tends to be!)  But both are naturally sweet mares.  My two girls will soon be doing ground work with the pony as they take turns on our QH Oberon.

Buck Brannaman Horsemanship & Cow Working Clinc will be at Flintrock Farm from Friday September 30 - October 3, 2011.  Dotti & Larry Davis are sponsoring this event and I called them. Larry is a real charming man and encouraged me to bring my daughters.  I have decided to take them out of school on Friday to enjoy the day.  It begins at 9:00 am and we will bring our lawn chairs and a picnic basket, although food will be available to purchase.  The cost is $25 a day.

Below is a great interview with Buck:



Larry shared with me a few other names he enjoys in the horse world, however, I could tell he hesitated when I used the term "Natural Horsemanship".  He went on to say there is nothing "natural" that we do with horses as humans and that he can tell more about a person in a few minutes by watching how their horse behaves, and I have to agree with him.

One name he mentioned was Bryan Neubert and I can't remember the rest he mentioned.

I will, of course, bring my camera and will share what we see and learn this weekend!