Customer Reviews

The Faraway Horses

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is not only on how to help horses but on character,from begining to end it gives us lessons on how to help not only the troubled horse ,but on our own troubles as well .
We see from early on what shaped and formed the man of today,the abuse he and his brother suffered as children,the long road to true unity with the horse,the faliures along the way ,the tragedy of his first marriage and how as we say in the horse world he got back up and got on again ,all along we can see were many people would have thrown in the towel and quit ,Buck did not and in so doing showed strength and character .This is all written in a unvarnished way that I find refreshing
I found myself near tears at times and laughing at others ,some of what has happened in his life hits close to home for myself,as a lifelong horseman I have struggled to find unity and peace with the horse ,I have lost loved ones and struggled on,in reading his book I found new ways to deal with some of lifes problems and with my own love of the horse.
To say I enjoyed the book is an understatement,it will be something I will go back to time after time and I hope others will also.You do not have to own horse or be from the horse world to find something in this book that will help you either with your family or life its self.

What a great book, I couldn't put it down. Potential buyers should note that this is mostly Buck's life story...with some horse lessons in the mix. If you're looking to learn Buck's techniques I suggest one of his other books or videos. But if you want to know the man, understand his background and philosophy toward animals and life--then this is the book. There are some very touching stories. Some will make you happy, some will make you cry. This book should be required reading for anyone who owns a horse or is even thinking about it! I can't wait for his next book.

Distance is everything to Buck Brannaman.

Time and space have made all the difference. Whether it's the 30 years since his harrowing childhood, or the nearly imperceptible space that constitutes trust between a horse and its rider, it's all been important to the horse-whisperer whose life and work helped breathe vitality into a gentle method of training animals. Now he's telling his own story in "The Faraway Horses."

Brannaman recounts his sometimes horrifying, occasionally funny adventures. He describes his training technique, built on trust and respect, not force. He writes about horses he's learned from, including Bif, the rank outlaw who became one of Buck's most trusted mounts. And he tells of owners he's taught, including the trainer who abused her show Arabians to make them look "spirited."

But the roots of his special connection with troubled and wild horses lie in his own childhood.

"I want people to be entertained, but there are some real stark realities out there," Brannaman says. "I hope it just doesn't go away after they close the book and put it on their shelf, but that the book's with them, maybe for the rest of their lives."

The story of Buck Brannaman's life is truly phenomenal. From surviving childhood abuse to becoming one of the foremost experts on natural horsemanship, this is a compelling story of survival and lessons learned. His simple lesson of working with the horse by offering him/her a "better option" is really common sense, and he offers examples from his own experiences to illustrate his knowledge. While this is not a book full of techniques and advice from Buck, it is an excellent read for how he came to be where he is today.

Like many others, I recently jumped on the "natural horsemanship" bandwagon. I grew up riding horses, but after an 11-year hiatus I finally was able to have a horse of my own again-- and found that I had gaping holes in my knowledge and understanding. In my search for enlightenment I tried on Parelli, Clinton Anderson and others. I invested a lot of time, money, sweat and tears, but was ultimately disappointed with what they had to offer. They each do have something good to offer, but they don't have the whole picture. Buck's work has honestly changed my life. It has changed my perspective so entirely, and changed how I react and interact with people as well as horses. I can not come close to doing justice to Buck's way in one paragraph. Please read this book, and Buck's other book "Believe." While you're at it, read Tom Dorrance's book "True Unity" and anything by Ray Hunt (both were Buck's teachers). You won't see Buck on TV very often, clothes and tack emblazoned by sponsors like the other "clinicians." Buck is just out there for the horse.

This book is exceptional beyond words! If you do not come out a better person in reading this book, you have failed to read it. Buck's life lessons on horsemanship as well as with dealing with people is something that we should all practice. This book did give me a direction, and a purpose and it will be something that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. Thank You Buck for writing it.

What a WONDERFUL book. For those of us who know Buck and have ridden with him, this books gives us some of the answers about why he does things the way he does with horses. For those folks who have seen Buck don't know him very well, this book will give you an in depth look into the boy who grew up to be one of the finest horsemen in the world today. The book will compell you to seek out one of his clinics and meet him in person! For folks who have no idea why many people go back to ride with Buck again and again, it will help them to understand their friends' and relatives' compulsion to be in his presence.

If you aren't in to horses or horsemanship at all, you will be impressed with his drive an determination to help the horses and truly help the people who want to understand their horses better.

It's just a plain great read, in Buck's own words and his voice, too!

This is an excellent book. It not only relates Buck's personal story, and how he was able to overcome his abusive family situation, but it also tells about his experiences with horses. If you are a rider, owner, or trainer, or if you don't ride at all, but are interested in horses or about people who are able to transcend their childhoods, this book is for you. It offers alot of insight, humor and encouragement. I would recommend it to anyone. It is a story of triumph and hopefulness.

This book is about one phenominal human being who truly lives his life for the betterment of horses everywhere. Drawing from his early life experiences, he has figured a way to show horses that he is a partner and not a dominance in their lives.
Having spent four days at one of his clinics, I can attest that the man is honest to the core when it comes to his passion, the horse!

I only know Buck Brannaman through his videos. He is indeed the "real deal" as a horseman and after reading his book he is the "real deal" as a human being. If anybody ever had a reason or an excuse to be a bitter, resentful, and hostile person it is Buck Brannaman. While he freely gives credit to those that helped shape him both as a person and as a horseman Buck is the one who ultimately decided to use his childhood experiences as motivation
for peace instead of violence. An inspirational book for anyone who has ever blamed their past for their stagnation.