Buck Brannaman

The first time I went to a Buck Brannaman clinic I didn’t know what to expect, I had never heard of him except that he had helped out on the movie, Horse Whisperer.

The University Vet School was sponsoring him to do a Clinic/Demonstration.

It was a sold out affair and I was lucky to even be able to go. It was definitely worth it. He worked four horses that day. One un-started colt, one that had been badly started and had jumped out of the round pen the first time saddled and another just plain disrespectful critter that the woman was having trouble communicating on the most basic level. The fourth he did a trailer loading demo.

He worked each horse individually in the round pen talking all the while to the audience. He first worked on groundwork and then rode all the horses. I was sold on him when he rode the horse that had jumped the round-pen the first time saddled and in about 5 minutes had the horse working over his back giving to the bit like he had a year under-saddle, all with a calm demeanor and a swinging back. So neat!

Ray Hunt

With Ray Hunt I was prepared having received his book in 1978, reading all the way through and not really understanding much until I went to a Parelli clinic and got an idea of what Natural Horsemanship was all about.

There were MANY people in the colt starting class and the first day they turned out all the horses in an arena to chase each other and work out their places in the herd. Also, the colts got to run off steam and loosen up before the owners caught them up and started working with them.

Ray was very good about talking to the auditors as well as participants and talked about what "feel" is and what a persons relationship should be and how he should conduct himself if he wants a horse to be a partner and not a slave. A slave will always be looking for a way out and have a feeling of self-preservation and a partner will look out for you and "fill in" for the rider if need be. To make a long story shorter, everyone was riding their colts very nicely by the end of the four days and only 2 out of maybe 20 people got bucked off and it was their own fault. 

Ray told them what they were doing wrong and they remounted and finished the clinic with everyone else.

There was also a horsemanship class held in the afternoons. There were even MORE people in this and the attention they got individually was when Ray rode up to them or rode past them but, everyone got individual instruction. I guess its from teaching for so many years but Ray is right to the point and does not waste time worrying about hurting anyone’s feelings.

Every morning before people started riding he would give a half hour lecture and at night before everyone left he would speak to everyone as a group again. In the mornings lecture he usually did a demo with one of his horses. At lunch or during breaks he was very good about answering questions. The days of the clinic were full of learning. It was a very positive experience and I reflect on it often when riding and working my own horses. He is not a Hand-holding type of instructor, he lets you make mistakes so you will remember.

If anyone is going to ride in one of his clinics I would suggest you first read his book "Think Harmony with Horses". You will save yourself a lot of time wondering what he is trying to get across to you, and you’ll be prepared for his teaching style. Both are true masters at what they do.

Buck spends more time on groundwork and I was surprised that Ray did some groundwork before riding but, his attitude was more "lets get to it". That doesn’t mean he hurried anyone. He made sure everyone’s colt was ready to mount before they finally put their leg over and sat on their colt for the first time. I would recommend that anyone that would like to be a true horseman at least audit these guys.

They are already legends in their lifetimes and well worth the cost