Just curious - is it Monty Roberts, Clinton Anderson, Xenophan, Col. Podhasky, George Morris, Beezie Madden, Lynn McKenzie etc., etc., etc.??
Who is your favorite "Horse Whisperer", trainer or clinician? And/Or who is your favorite rider for your equestrian sport? Why is that person your favorite - because of his/her philosphy, easy to understand, etc.? Have you met them or seen them ride in person?
My favorite trainer is George Morris because he is so very knowledgeable about horses - hunter/jumpers in particular and what makes them work better for you. Yes, I've been very fortunate to have a training session with him.
My favorite rider is Rodrigo Pessoa for Brazil and his horse Balubet d'Rouet - absolutely awesome what the pair of them can do on a jump course!
Looking forward to seeing your answer! Thanks!!
2007-10-19T18:33:00Z
I'm not looking to find a 'new guru' to follow - I'm just curious to see who YOUR favorite clinician and/or rider is. That way we ALL get introduced to other good horemen & women that we didn't know of before!!
Thanks in advance for fully reading my question and for your answer!!
?2007-10-19T18:59:40Z
Favorite Answer
None of the above. I;ve learned a lot from a trainer named Kevin Wescott, from the Nebraska Sandhills. He knew Tom Dorrance personally, says what he learned from the man changed his entire life, and also learned from Ray Hunt. I don't think any of these men would call themselves "horse whisperers", but they know a horse's mind and can help a horse through any struggles or problems or learning levels necessary. My older sister also taught me a lot, and she was a student of Ray Hunt. She helped me train my first few colts, and I still seek her advice from time to time.
Collectively I have quite a few favorites, as there are many different things each one knows. I have not heard Ga Wa Ni Ponyboy mentioned. I particularly like his overall style, due to the fact he knows the old Indian ways of training, which were always gentle and respectful of the horses' way of thinking and understanding. Among my favorites are Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, Buck Brannaman, and John Lyons. I admire a couple of local trainers as well. We work well together. I admire both Xenophon and Cl. Alois Podhajsky for the work they have contributed to the equine world. There is also a trainer from Spain, whose name I don't recall (and can't find the book) ~ I believe the book is entitled "Dancing With Stallions". He is amazing! He takes yearling studs out of "pasture" (actually herds them in from the vast acreage of the ranch), gentles them, trains them, and rides them. His principles are extremely sound; he is also one who considers the way in which horses think and behave.
One "Horse Whisperer" I DO NOT have any respect for is Monty Roberts. I've watched sessions where he has said "This horse has never been touched". Yet, the horse's fetlocks were clipped, the mane and tail were groomed, the tail was even cut off straight at the bottom! I also have personal friends who grew up with his parents. He learned his "gentling" techiniques from the father he claimed was so cruel and abusive toward horses. I also read his second book, about the little Mustang he chased for 150 miles, laming one of the horses he was using in the chase. If the Mustang had wanted to come back, he would have done so on his own, choosing between the good compansionship of a well-made human friend and ample food supply or his freedom to roam and forage with his herd. This sickened me, personally.
I don't have a favorite rider in the "circuit". I've always admired the way some of my Native friends ride, bareback, at a full gallop over rough terrain, with absolutely no air between rider and horse's back. This is my personal preference. I think the Plains Indians were some of the finest horsemen ever to exist, and the tradition continues.
Monty Roberts because he is absolutely AMAZING! His teachers were the wild Mustangs in Nevada and he trains his horses as if he were basically a horse too. When he trains he uses a horse language called EQUUS. He trains them in a way that they can understand and he earns their trust. He can also start a horse under saddle and rider in just 30 minutes! He is an amazing horseman!
GaWaNi Pony Boy is my ABOLUTE favorite. I love him. I saw him in a clinic and he was phenominal. The one thing he says that I have ALWAYS believed with horses is that you need to SEE yourself doing it, see in your mind where you want to be when you walk down the trail, the rail, and you will be there.....like leading a horse through something..see yourself doing it and your horse will follow..I mean I know it's not magic or anything, he's just basically telling you to have confidence and your horse, who trusts, you and is naturally a pray animal and wants to FLEE will follow you because it trusts you and wants to please you. But I still love him. Monty Robers = J O K E Parellis = Money grubbers...anyone who even SUGGESTS jumping over a picnic table....is a moron Anderson = like some of his stuff