“When I first saw Ray Hunt do it, I thought, ‘That looks good to me, man. Whatever that is, I’m getting me some of that. It might take me a life time.’ But I know what a horse operating on a feel is. And I want you to get at least a mental picture to where hopefully it looks good to you, that you’ll want that, that you’ll strive for that. And it’ll be just like it’s a little video tape in your mind.” – Buck Brannaman
For me, I too thought the same thing about Ray Hunt. He was the first horseman I ever saw who had something I had been looking for!! I have been fortunate to learn from many clinicians in my life since that day, including Buck, but there is something special about that person who first exemplifies what you know you want at an instinctual level but have never seen. When you see it, you just know! You just have to have it!! And, since the early 90’s, I have had to have it!!
I work hard at developing my mental picture for each horse I ride and strive to get there in a way that is proactive for the horse. I am constantly working on developing my feel. And it will be a lifetime of study for me too! How fantastic!!
Do you remember seeing the first horseman that left a positive mark on you and your horse life??