This year at the Buck Brannaman clinic, two things happened for me. First, I gained a better understanding of Buck's training principles and exercises with attention to timing and accuracy. Second, I learned not only by watching him handle his horse on the ground and under saddle, but, also just by listening to this great horseman share knowledge from his lifetime of experience.
I'd like to pass on a few thought-provoking quotes I heard which have caused me much reflection and consideration.
"Do not confuse a dull, checked-out horse with a gentle horse. A gentle horse is an educated horse."
"Don't ask your horse something that you don't already have the answer to."
"It's an act of love toward the horse to set clear roles and expectations."
"A lever or gimmick will never get a horse to turn loose to you. It allows you to overpower the horse and forces him into a particular position. That's why I don't use them."
"Life in the horse is defined by the punctuality of the response and lightness of the aid, not speed! Fluid and smooth, not punchy."
"Your horse doesn't care what kind of riding clothes you wear. Get him punctual, centred, and relaxed."
"Horses are clever-they can put things together, if you're consistent."
"The only way a horse will be 'with you' all the time, is when you're 'with him' all the time."
"I'm the source of comfort for the horse, not the problem."
In regards to timing: "Do less sooner rather than more later." Buck quoting Ray Hunt
And for those of you who have read this far, a few hilarious quotes I heard from Buck: Enjoy and laugh!
"Busier than a cat burying crap."
"More useless than boobs on a fish."
"Unraveled like a WalMart sweater."
"Straight as a frozen rope."
"You still can't ride a swinging gate in a windstorm."
"Don't release like you're milking a Holstein, get your hands forward."
"Some people get so uptight when they go to lope a horse out that you couldn't pound a pin up their butt with a sledge hammer."