New DVD - In the Snaffle Bit - Buck Brannaman

If you have followed Buck Brannaman over the years you'll know that he is about making good horses that can be ridden straight up in the bridle - that is in a spade bit and using romal reins. And to that end he has made several training DVD's, from ground work, to the snaffle bit, hackamore, two rein and finally in the spade bit. And while it can be intimidating even thinking about the day in and day out dedication over years to get a horse from the halter to the bridle, I don't think this training ladder is not an all or nothing thing.

Many people can find great functionality in riding a horse in the snaffle bit and/or the hackamore where the horse can be ridden one handed most of the time which of course is necessary to have a hand free to throw a loop, open gates, or work a flag while on horseback among many other things.

I don't have anything hanging up in my tack room or trailer that isn't either a snaffle bit or a rawhide hackamore anymore. On my own horses, I don't think I've ridden one in anything but a snaffle or hackamore in 15 years now. Although it wasn't always that way. It doesn't seem that long ago when I was chasing bits trying to find just that right bit that the horse responds to best, and I cringe when I think about how I was going about things back then. I wish this new DVD from Buck was available back then.

The good thing attending clinics, or watching DVD's is that they can shorten the learning curve. Some people are in a position where traveling to clinics just isn't possible and that's where the value in a good DVD comes in, not to mention that you can rewind and watch over and over.

The latest DVD from Buck Brannaman, almost 5 hours long, is a two DVD set that takes Buck working with several different horses in different stages in the snaffle showing what he expects from each horse in that stage. And this 2 DVD set covers many other things such as roping, dragging, hobble training and much more. I think this DVD set is likely the one most people cannot do without.

I'm a big fan of Eclectic Horseman magazine, so that's where I recommend picking up 'In the Snaffle Bit'. This is the link to EH and the DVD if you are interested - In the Snaffle, by Buck Brannaman.

Buck, The Movie - Go See It!

Had a chance to take my wife to see "Buck" this weekend. What a great movie. Actually a documentary type which follows Buck Brannaman around his clinic schedule, intermixed with pieces on how Buck grew up and came to be who he is, with interviews with his friends and family.

Go see this movie then tell me you didn't get a little teary eyed......maybe for one stud horse who didn't get a fair chance; maybe because of the moments where Buck makes a break through on a horse; or maybe because, like me, you're a little ashamed at losing your temper with a horse.

Go see the movie,...it's worth whatever the theater wants to charge you.

"Buck" - Documentary on Buck Brannaman

Cindy Meehl has completed her documentary on Buck Brannaman the model for the horse trainer in the excellent 1998 film, "The Horse Whisperer" starring Robert Redford.

This film will be out for public view on or about 17 June 2011 and has already won awards such as the Documentary Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival this year.

Buck is well know by horse people in the United States and interestingly enough was also a boy wonder trick roper growing up. It was Buck's father's abusive upbringing that helped form his philosophy that has enabled him to work wonders with horses. I think Buck would be the first one to tell you that most horse problems are people problems

Buck's autobiography, "The Faraway Horses", is one of the best books I have read. It contains Buck growing up with an abusive father; his early roping demonstrations and yet many people associate Buck Brannaman with roping, probably due to his book "Ranch Roping", as opposed to horse training for which he is so well known within the horse community.

With so many exceptional horse trainers, some call them "clinicians", in the U.S. today, including Martin Black, Craig Cameron, Chris Cox, Julie Goodnight, John Lyons, Ken McNabb, Bryan Neubert, Pat Parelli, Monty Roberts and many others, Buck Brannaman is at the top of this list. I hope to some day attend one of his clinics.

I am not going to put any of Buck's quote's or stories on this post. People really need to read his books,..he wrote another book entitled: "Believe", about how horses made differences in people's lives. His training DVD's, available on his web site, are something you'll watch again and again. Go to: http://www.brannaman.com/

Again, the film opens on June 17. See the trailer of "Buck" below:

Beginning Roping

I received an e-mail request from Joanne, who if I remember right was from southern Georgia, and wanted to learn how to rope. Joanne didn’t say if she was interested in arena roping/team roping or if she was just interested in learning how to use a lariat as I believe it is a good tool for most all riders to carry.

Lets start with the rope. I prefer a 5/16 inch diameter rope, true or scant, in nylon, with a metal honda, in a XXS lay. I prefer the NRS ranch rope, link below, but Craig Cameron also offers a good rope. The NRS rope comes in 60 foot lengths, which I cut and burn at 48 feet just for my preference. More rope than that, is just too much to manage in my off hand with the reins and all. Craig's ropes come in 50 foot lengths and I have two of them, which I just leave at 50 foot. You would not be disappointed with a rope from Craig Cameron.

Craig Cameron 50 foot Horse Handling Lariat Rope

http://www.craigcameronstore.com/product34.html

phone: 800 274-0077

NRS Nylon Ranch Rope 60' Buckaroo Honda 5/16"

http://www.nrsworld.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=CA-RA1B!CALLA

phone: 800 467-6746

I must have about 6 or 8 Fastback or Cactus ropes, left over from when I was arena roping, but at around 31 feet they are too short for me as a working rope. The header ropes are going to be a softer lay than the healer ropes. The healer ropes are longer, generally 35 feet, but just too stiff of a lay for my tastes. I think the lay is more important than it being nylon or poly blend.

I think everyone, recreational rider or cowboy, needs to carry a rope and at least have a rudimentary idea on how to use it. I coached more than a few people on the basics of roping. And I'm just a mediocre roper. I really suggest partnering with a roper in your area. Face to face, in person learning is much better and practically any team roper will fall of his/her horse to help someone learn. If not then I suggest Buck Brannaman’s excellent book “Ranch Roping with Buck Brannaman”, available from www.westernhorseman.com


Roping videos are available through National Ropers Supply as well.

I have used my ropes for impromptu halters or ponying horses out of the desert. Once I used it to pull a partner of mine up a hill when he had to climb down an embankment to get his hat.

I like the metal hondas as they swivel and are much easier to get kinks out of so you can build a faster second loop when your first loop misses. Been there a million times. Plus I think the metal honda gives you a few feet more of reach - important when a cow is stuck in a mud hole and you want to rope her to get her out with your horse on dry or solid ground.

Hope the video can provide the basics for you to work on. Start real close to your target,…a traffic cone works well,…..when you spin your loop, try to keep it parallel to the ground, release and turn your hand over (palm down) and helps to point your index finger at your target. And keep your thumb up when you draw the slack out of the rope after your throw. This is a good habit to keep you from dallying around a saddle horn and pinning your thumb to it with the rope. People get their thumbs cut off that way.

hope this helps, safe journey.