Horse Guru
I haven't been to all the clinic, nor read all the books, and definitely not seen all the videos, but I have nosed about the training philosophies of different ... we'll call them "Horse Gurus." These are not people who train horses for a specific event. Most of their experience seems to come from simply getting horses to "behave" and work well both on the ground and under saddle. They target towards those of us in the backyard horse crowd who either have difficult horses or desire to get a better response from possibly lazy or horses with other issues who aren't necessarily "bad." Some of them even tout a lovey-dovey deep connection with your horse and being able to play countless "games" with him and not having any trouble if you follow their program.
I was curious as to what you all though of them. Who is your favorite and why? Who is your least favorite: explain.
Here's a few that I'm somewhat familiar with:
Clinton Anderson: I like his "no nonsense" approach, but his constant promoting and pervasive use of "I" and "my program" drives me a bit nutty (his clinics at times seem like an extended commercial).
John Lyons: I like the fact that he doesn't seem to use any gimmicks. His books is fairly understandable and is an interesting training guide.
Pat Parelli: I honestly haven't read any of his books and don't know much about his training methods, but his philosophy seems interesting, though I must admit his program seems so gimmick-driven that a part of me can't help but laugh at the ridiculous thought that objects will make your horse magically behave better. Some of his "with Parelli/without Parelli" adds make me laugh.
Chris Irwin: I didn't know much about him until I read both his books, which are more about his experience with horses and training philosophy than "how to." Most of his ideas seem pretty good, though there are a couple that I scratch my head about. I'd be interesting in seeing him in action at some point.
Buck Brannaman: I rather like his philosophy and am interested in seeing one of his clinics as well as his books, again are more on his philosophy and life than it is a "how to."
I know there are a lot more, but these are the ones who I know at least a little about.
So what are your thoughts?
I was curious as to what you all though of them. Who is your favorite and why? Who is your least favorite: explain.
Here's a few that I'm somewhat familiar with:
Clinton Anderson: I like his "no nonsense" approach, but his constant promoting and pervasive use of "I" and "my program" drives me a bit nutty (his clinics at times seem like an extended commercial).
John Lyons: I like the fact that he doesn't seem to use any gimmicks. His books is fairly understandable and is an interesting training guide.
Pat Parelli: I honestly haven't read any of his books and don't know much about his training methods, but his philosophy seems interesting, though I must admit his program seems so gimmick-driven that a part of me can't help but laugh at the ridiculous thought that objects will make your horse magically behave better. Some of his "with Parelli/without Parelli" adds make me laugh.
Chris Irwin: I didn't know much about him until I read both his books, which are more about his experience with horses and training philosophy than "how to." Most of his ideas seem pretty good, though there are a couple that I scratch my head about. I'd be interesting in seeing him in action at some point.
Buck Brannaman: I rather like his philosophy and am interested in seeing one of his clinics as well as his books, again are more on his philosophy and life than it is a "how to."
I know there are a lot more, but these are the ones who I know at least a little about.
So what are your thoughts?