The Horse Whisperer

is of course a famous movie starring Robert Redford (which I have yet to see -- one of these days).

But evidently there are a lot of Horse Whisperers (and dog whisperers too).

Pat Parelli was the one featured in one of the Dog Whisperer episodes.

Monty Roberts was the one who inspired Jan Fennell, the Dog Listener.

But the one who inspired the Horse Whisperer movie (and book) was Buck Brannaman who is the subject of a new documentary entitled "Buck" (clip).

[1/31/12] Article in the November 2011 Costco Connection.

"Horses don't think the same as humans. Something that's most unique about the horse, that I love, is not what he possesses, but what he doesn't possess. And that is greed, spite, hate, jealousy, envy, prejudice. The horse doesn't possess any of those things. If you think about people, the least desirable people to be around usually possess some or all of those things. And the way God made the hourse, he left that out.

"By the time you've had a relationship with a horse for a while, there are characteristics in the way the horse behaves with you that are directly [related] to some of your traits as a human being, whether it's insecurity or aggression or fear or hate."

"There are so many things that don't mesh well with the horse, and some of the more negative traits, that's the reason people get in trouble with the horse. Yet at the same time, there are some real good traits in human beings ... they many not know much about horses, but the horse will have an afinity for 'em and have a great feel for that person with some of the more positive traits."