I saw a wonderful documentary on the real life "Horse Whisperer." The film won the Audience award at the Sundance Film Festival in January of this year.It didn't hurt the film that it happened to be previewed at Robert Redford's Sundance or that Robert Redford had a spot in it. But the film didn't need the star power. Buck Brannaman's story along with his soft spoken demeanor wins your heart. He sounds a little like Sam Elliott in the movie, Tombstone or maybe Sam Elliot sounds a lot like Buck.
As a young boy, Buck was given a fresh start after his coach at school discovered that he had been repeatedly beaten by his father. His young tortured life didn't ruin him but gave him insights into what horses need from their owners. Brannaman shares the power of understanding, respect, and affection that he learned from his foster parents as a way to get a horse to cooperate... and maybe love ya back.
The 88 minutes follows Buck Brannaman around the country while he give clinics on "starting horses." Buck favors starting horses with trust and respect as opposed to breaking them in. He's had much success in showing horse owners how to do it. He travels around 40 weeks of the year and enjoys his time best when his wife and youngest daughter can join him.
Although a professing shy cowboy, Buck assuredly lets horse owners know up front that it's not the horse that needs the training rather it's the owner.
If you can get time away from your corral, go see it.
http://www.buckthefilm.com/contact.htm
