We are going today to see Buck, the new documentary about horse trainer Buck Brannaman. If you’re not familiar with Buck, you can watch the trailer on the film’s website. The film is suppose to be great, it’s won quite a few awards, including the audience choice award at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. (I promise a full review after we see it!)
I really like Buck Brannaman. He’s not a clicker trainer and trains very differently from how I work with our horses. In fact, some of his methods and techniques I’d never use. Still, I like quite a few things about him, mostly from reports I have read from friends who have attended his clinics.
We’ve been discussing “traditional” trainers on one of the clicker training discussion lists I am on. Most clicker trainers I know can’t stand the “harsh” techniques that traditional trainers or natural horsemanship trainers use. The natural horsemanship trainers I know can’t stand traditional horse training tactics. And nobody likes clicker trainers–they are ineffective and are completely spoiling their horses…
It’s amazing the number of trainers I talk to who are like this. They are completely committed to their camp (or cult, as it may be!) to the point that they cannot even consider the perspective or ideas of someone who thinks and trains differently than they do.
I’ll tell you what I’ve learned…. There are quite a few good clicker trainers, some horrible ones, and a few exceptional ones. There are quite a few good traditional trainers, some horrible ones, and a few exceptional ones. There are quite a few good natural horsemanship trainers, some horrible ones, and a few exceptional ones. And so on, insert most any label you want.
I’ve stopped listening to and asking about labels and affiliations. To evaluate someone’s philosophy and techniques, I want to watch the person train. (And actually watch the trainer train, not watch them work with a horse who is already well trained.) I’ve learned over the past several years that there are many people who I might not completely agree with who are still exceptional trainers and who I can still learn some tips and techniques from.
Here’s a few things I look for in a great trainer:
(What would you add to the list?)
1. A great trainer has the horse’s physical and mental welfare in mind.
That is, the training is for the benefit of the horse, not just for the person who is going to ride the horse. Is the trainer concerned with suppling and balancing the horse, as well as correct biomechanics? Is the trainer concerned with helping set the horse up so that he will remain sound for his lifetime? Does the training process and the outcome of training involve a horse who is calm and relaxed?
2. A great trainer understands shaping.
Shaping means building new behavior in reasonable steps. Rather than demanding that a horse do a whole new behavior all at once, a great trainer picks an approximation to that behavior that it would be reasonable to ask the horse to do. Then, over a series of logical steps, the horse learns to do the final behavior. (More info here, about about the difference between splitting/shaping and lumping.)
3. A great trainer is always interested in learning more.
The great trainers I’ve met and watched are always trying to learn how to be better horse people. They’re constantly refining their techniques and methods. They’re also not afraid to watch, listen to, and learn from other horse people. They recognize that everyone has had slightly different experiences and even if you don’t completely agree with someone, you might still be able to learn a few things from that person.
This is my short list, before this post gets too long. Also, I’ll keep it short because I want to know what you would add to this list. How do you evaluate trainers? What do you think makes a great trainer?
GREAT article, Mary! Very timely as so many folks are searching for something or someone that works for them and their horse. Thanks!
I totally agree with your way of thinking when looking at other trainers. While I myself mostly use clicker training with my ponies – I don’t really consider myself a “Clicker Trainer”. I’m very open to the idea of new ways/new techniques – usually paired with my clicker. I took lessons with a western trainer when I was preparing Boomerang for the extreme cowboy race. She knew nothing about clicker training, but was willing to allow me to click and reward my horse during lessons whenever I felt I needed to (even though she didn’t entirely agree with it) – and I was also willing to try some of her techniques (rest as rewards & teaching me to push Boomer a little more – he liked to buck during lead changes). There were some things I wouldn’t compromise on though – like she thought I needed to have a bit in my ponies’ mouth to be able to accomplish my training goals, I disagreed, but she let me come to my own conclusion on it – and I think she was surprised when in the end he mastered everything without a bit.
My mom is also taking natural horsemanship lessons now with her pony. Her trainer is of the pressure & release mentality. His whole philosophy revolves around giving the horse a work ethic and allowing them to teach themselves what the best decision is in a situation. His rewards for the horse is also rest & although his way is very different from what I do – I can see it working for my mom and her pony. A lot of things I have been adapting and using on my own pony (with my clicker too). And although his techniques are very different from the clicker method – they are still humane and kind – with pressure being more in your body language (no whips/etc) and your eye contact than anything else.
I admit I sort of stay away from discussions in the clicker/training forums solely for the topic you bring up. The ongoing fight that “my training method is right” and anything you do opposing this is horrible and wrong (not that everyone agrees with this). It really bothers me when others can’t be open to new ideas simply because it’s not the way they choose to do things.
I’m fortunate that most of the trainers I have worked with seem willing to try something new, and to learn themselves. The ones that are stuck in their ways end up limiting their students (and their horses) from their full potential. The more we can learn from each other the more we can accomplish.
Nice post, Mary. I agree with you 100%. I would also add that, in general, good horse trainers have one thing in common: Good feel. Alex has good feel and Brannaman has good feel. I’m constantly striving to get better at it.
I saw the movie last weekend and enjoyed it though I thought it was bittersweet. I look forward to reading your take on it.
1. Treats each horse as an individual – no one size fits all approach.
2. Treats horses and riders with respect – that doesn’t mean that sometimes things don’t get big or that riders aren’t told the truth about their abilities and behavior (since rider/handler error causes most problems with horses) – it’s in the attitude. Any trainer that yells gets a zero rating in my book – I don’t care if they’ve gone to the Olympics.
3. Thinks that horses have a lot to teach us, and really listens to what the horse is saying.
4. As you said above, rules out all physical issues first before treating something as a training issue.
5. Understands that 99% of the time if the horse isn’t doing the right thing it’s a rider/handler issue – the horse is usually doing what it’s been (often inadvertently) taught to do.
6. No marketing “hype” and no “show” – the very best trainers are like watching paint dry.
His rewards for the horse is additionally blow & although his way is
actual altered from what I do – I can see it alive for my mom and her
pony. A lot of things I accept been adapting and application on my own
pony