The Faraway Horses: The Adventures and Wisdom of One of America's Most Renowned Horsemen

by Buck Brannaman

"I've started horses since I was 12 years old and have been bit, kicked, bucked off and run over. I've tried every physical means to contain my horse in an effort to keep from getting myself killed. I started to realize that things would come much easier for me once I learned why a horse does what he does. This method works well for me because of the kinship that develops between horse and rider. " --Buck Brannaman

In THE FARAWAY HORSES, Brannaman shares his methods for training and  provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Robert Redford's movie The Horse Whisperer , for which he was the technical advisor. *Authoratative figure in horsemanship
*Reveals the key to understanding animals
BUCK BRANNAMAN is a horse gentler--not a horse "breaker"--who has started more than 10,000 young horses in his clinics. He lives with his family in Sheridan, Wyoming.

WILLIAM REYNOLDS is the associate publisher of Cowboys & Indians magazine. He lives with his family in Santa Ynez, California.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horses, Biography, Animals, Memoir, Autobiography, Audiobook

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

A horse trainer and a leading practitioner within the field of natural horsemanship, which is a philosophy of working with horses based on the idea of working with the horse's nature, using an understanding of how horses think and communicate to train the horse to accept humans and work confidently and responsively with them. One of Brannaman's stated goals is to make the animal feel safe and secure around humans so that the horse and rider can achieve a true union.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is time for me to admit that I love storytelling.

This book won't win any prize for eloquent writing, but I am certain I will read it again and again.

I saw the film "Buck" last weekend after impatiently waiting for it to open at the local art house theatre. I immediately looked for and ordered this book.

When I arrived home from work to find the book had been delivered, I started reading it immediately. I only put it down for a moment or two.

The bigger lessons to be learned about human behavior are the things that really struck me about this man and his story. I am an animal lover for sure, but I know very little about horses. After reading "The Faraway Horses," I now know more about horses, yes, but mostly I know more about myself and will likely look to this book again when I want to better understand my relationships with animals AND with people.

[Rob Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about an exceptional human being. I met Buck in the mid 1980's. We worked together in the Gallatin Valley, Montana. This was about the time Buck was beginning his training career. I knew then that he was a compassionate man with deep soul searching capabilities. The book is authentic and nonpromotional and paints a realistic picture of a man blessed with very special gifts. While he's noted for his abilities to relate to horses, if you ever have the chance take advantage of the opportunity to meet him personally, do so. Whether you are a New York executive or an Arizona horseman, Buck offers insights into being a better person.

[Tupper Malone · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sense I have is that Buck Brannaman is a very authentic person. What he says is who he is. He's an honest, straightforward person who has a strong moral fiber and, based on his upbringing, you know that is not an easy thing to have accomplished. He will not be remembered as an outstanding literary force but I don't think that's why he wrote this book. It seems he wrote this book for people that interested in horses, want to own a horse, want to understand horses and how they work and maybe be able to relate to horses like a "horse whisperer." I enjoyed the book and it's an easy read but I didn't have any real "moments of insights" or think "oh my god, how did he write that phrase/sentence". He's just a really nice guy that has figured out one of life's basics--how to be a good human being whether it's with a horse or with a person. According to my calculations, he's going to be 50 next year. He wrote the book when he was about 39 years old and I'd say he has an "old soul". He has an understanding about nature, whether it's human nature or horse nature. He shares a little about his personal life (primarily as a youngster with am abusive jerk as a father) but mostly about horses and how horses think and act. This would be a great book for anyone who has a horse and if I did, I'd be signing up for one of his clinics if I could afford it. His last couple of chapters about working with Robert Redford (Bob) on the movie The Horse Whisperer are interesting and sort of confirm my thinking that Robert Redford is a really cool guy.

So finally, my take is that it's a nice book to read but not a "must read or my life won't go forward". But how many books fit that description.

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taught by the ways of the late Ray Hunt, the man who changed the way riders connected with their horses. Buck believes in the famous words "Gentle in what you do, firm in how you do it". Showing that the ways of abuse, force and fear were unnecessary requirements when training a horse. Showing that patience,love and understanding of these magnificent animals were truly all one needed. Taking Natural Horsemanship farther than anyone would have ever guessed.

Going into his dark past it's easy to see how Buck turned into such a gentle handler, seeing the horses not only a living,breathing,pain feeling creatures but as a friend.

He was, like many horses, literally beat into submission. Pain was the only communicator between him and his father.He now uses that as the foundation of why he does what he does, the way he does it.

Horse owners will not learn much in the sense of a step-by-step training manual but in the deeper sense. Where the mental training starts and how it never really ends.

Every horse owner, trainer, lover should read his books and watch his film. It brings so much more to light.

A sad,brilliant,funny,loving,heart wrenching documentary that will leave the reader feeling every human emotion possible.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow- what a wonderful story. Follows the life of Buck Brannaman, also known as the horse whisperer. Buck lived a hard, hard life. He overcame amazingly hard odds and has become the best friend to every horse he ever worked with. I love how he paralleled working with horses and working with people. The difference between discipline and punishment. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Great, inspiring read. And all the horse info is fascinating as well.

[Kate Mislivecek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring story with tons of good advice for horsemanship and life.

[John of Canada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horses!I really like Buck.He really isn't afraid to speak his mind to someone,whether she drives a Rolls Royce or not.I didn't really understand his techniques but I am sure I will catch on once I learn the lingo.Lots of good photos.I especially enjoyed reading about young Scarlett Johannson.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Buck Brannaman. I saved all my pennies and spectated at one of his clinics in November and was amazed because his methods are so damn smart, but achievable to anyone willing to work on it.
His life story is very sad. But he’s proof that no matter where you come from YOU decide where you’re going and who you become. And he puts that idea into his horse training too.
Maybe next time he comes my way I’ll have enough money to afford to ride in a clinic.
This book is a quick read, well written, definitely on my top favourites for this year. Would definitely recommend!

[Dick Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really wonderful book about overcoming difficulties or perhaps becoming a caring good person in spite of difficulties and training horses in a compassionate manner. I don't remember why I got this book. I prefer dairy cows and have no special feeling for horses but the book I felt was a worthwhile read -- inspirational.

[Parita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a novice in horse riding, I have just started experiencing the magic of horses and the healing they can bestow. This book was an extension of that world and convinced me of my beliefs about horses. But irrespective of whether you are associated with horses, this book has has something foe all...adventure, soul touching experiences, insights into life, connecting to nature. Brannaman is not a story writer but his story is true and from the heart, and that is enough for the connection. despite his some what celebrity status, he narrates events as simply as can be focussing on the event and lessons rather than him self. all in all, this is a refreshing read that indeed does take you to a far way land and experience.

[Janessa Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book indeed made me think, laugh and cry. Loved it.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Faraway Horses is a fine book by Buck Brannaman. I pulled this book from my training bookcase after recommending this book to a young natural horse girl.

While the writing style was not so eloquent, the content was spot on. I’ve said many times that horses are like people, and all people are not alike.

Part of the formative story was uncomfortable, the focus on natural horsemanship was described well with techniques and tricks which horse lovers can bond with their pasture friends.

While I have not seen the movie The Horse Whisperer that Buck was the technical advisor on, I have heard good things about it. Each horse owner’s environments are seldom the same which influences the ability and methodologies deployed in really becoming a natural horseperson. The one thing to avoid at all costs is abusive behavior. Buck’s methods are genuinely accurate and can guide the reader into a better understanding of how to succeed.

This book would be valuable to those wishing to be horse whisperers because the things you learn often don’t always have to relate to just horses, but help fashion conduct behavior with other living beings with minds.

[okyrhoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the harrowing details, there is enough wry humor and understatement to balance out the mood of Brannaman's narrative. His bare-bones account of his painful formative years, from abuse to enforced orphanhood to the separation by his first wife Adrian, is marked by spare language, self-control, and even self-deprecation - trademarks of the American Midwestern temperament.
There is something almost quaint about his outlook on life and his trove of back country wisdoms, as if he harks back to an era long gone. Judging from the photographic documents, he sure likes to dress for the part. But that's really how he is; those folksy apothegms obviously come naturally to him.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, the childhood that Buck had to endure is heartbreaking. His ability to overcome and forgive is awe-inspiring. His love for horses is dripping from every word on every page of the book. It is easy to see how it might be easier for him to love horses than it would be to love people based on the unfortunate relationships he experienced as a child. His ability to connect with the horses and his desire to help them all is clearly what he was meant to do with his life. It was kind of interesting that his opinion on other random, non-horse related topics was sprinkled throughout the book. Buck has lived such an interesting life that it is definitely worth reading about!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unpretentious is a word that came to my mind as I wondered what to think of this Wyoming real-deal American cowboy/horse rider/trainer. This is his auto-biography, written by his hand, in his words WITH the help of his long time, close friend Bill Reynolds, so it is very much like a personal letter. It's rather intimate. He tells of his sad childhood and first marriage and of his successes and losses in a likable story telling way.

[Angela Douthit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

A journey through life and how it shaped one man. Not just a horse story or a training guide. Its uplifting and almost spiritual to read. It made me think about a few things.

[Leah Dellinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi I love the movie


From
Leah

[Greer H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book many years ago. It taught me to understand how horses think. It bought me years of horseriding experience that is helping me now with horse competitions.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buck Brannaman is certainly and accomplished and influential horseman and trainer. In reading this book, I was hoping to learn the details of his methods. I expected this book to be much more of a manual, or 'how to' guide than it is. Instead, I found that this is really Brannaman's autobiography, with most of the pages focused on his life, beginning with his early childhood and up through the present day through a course of relationships, including that with his brother, their abusive father and kindly foster parents, his first wife, his second wife, and a few of his horses (and his steer). For me, the fact that my expectations didn't align with the focus of the book was problematic - because I came to the book looking for more of that 'how to' advice than I got, I was a bit disappointed. That said, the book is still a worthwhile read and Brannaman does provide some guidelines for working successfully with horses. It's a useful book for those who want to learn more about his methods, and I suspect it would be a very engaging read for someone looking to learn more about Brannaman's life. I have both the hard copy and the audible version. It's worth noting that the hard copy includes numerous photos and something is lost without them. For this reason, I'd recommend getting the hard copy, although otherwise, the audiobook is good.

[Christine Deputy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After my equine coach passed away, I've felt lost. At times, I felt abandoned. After almost 2 years of grieving my trainer while following Warwick Schiller's advice of changing myself to change my horse, I got back into the arena in April of 2023.

Some kind equestrians suggested this book and some of the suspicions I had have been confirmed by this book. I just finished this book and I'm sitting at my desk at work weeping and nearly crying out loud.

I don't know why I'm crying. Maybe it's the grief and missing my trainer. Maybe it's the common feeling for horses. Maybe it's the raw emotions of the words while imagining Buck passing by us and waving at him while I continue forward with the grief for my trainer.

Whatever it is, there are few books that move me to tears this way. This is full of wisdom, incredible advice, and as a newbie, I've come to understand why some of the things I did worked and why some of the things I've done did not.

There's so much to learn when it comes to horses and I feel validated for feeling my way through the process while trying to understand what my horse is trying to communicate.

Excellent book. I believe this is a must read/listen for all equestrians.

[PetaAshleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️

I realise a book about horsemanship is a niche area of interest but, as a lifelong lover of horses and as someone who took years of lessons as a child under the tutelage of a Parelli natural horsemanship practitioner, this was solidly within my wheelhouse.

Though familiar with Buck Brannaman’s name, I’d never delved any deeper until now. He offers us this interesting cross between a memoir and an instructional journal on practical horsemanship training that I thoroughly enjoyed! In fact, I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did.

The tone of the book is very conversational and down to earth. I love a good story and Brannaman is a wonderful storyteller. Loved his many cowboyisms and the straightforwardness of his writing. Some wonderful insights into both the human mind and the horse mind. If this is a topic of interest for you, I highly recommend this book!

“Something I’ve always said… whether you’re dealing with a kid or an adult or a horse, treat them the way you want them to be, not the way they are now.” -BB

[Bob Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Buck Brannaman's Autobiography. I read this in a day or two, using every available moment to finish it. The abuse the author suffered as a child makes this kind of a tough read. However, he seems to have turned out pretty well in spite of what he grew up with. He reminds me of a lot of people I knew growing up in Montana and the West - real authentic people - not frauds. Maybe it has something to do with his association with horses. Horses are honest and so association with them teaches honesty and authenticity. If you like horses or are inspired by seeing people overcoming odds that are stacked against them, you will like this book.

[Ellen Broadhurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars because I believe the fatal flaw in all of those “horse whisperer” styled memoirs is that humans have always “broken” young horses using rough or violent techniques. While this might be true I’m certain parts of the world (western US springs to mind), there have always been careful, thoughtful horseman who have understood that a horse can be a partner.

Overall, though, I do see the value that these programs bring to people who have not been exposed to sensible, careful horsemanship. Buck sounds like an interesting person who clearly grew as a person through his growth and understanding as a horseman. We need more people like this teaching.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was left in my sharing library and I didn’t have any idea what I was getting into reading it. I have always loved horses and am a cowgirl at heart , so this book really hit how Buck worked with horses. He had such a difficult life and some real struggles but he didn’t let that sway him from being the best person her could to both people and the horses. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect even if they have some past mistakes. Maybe they didn’t know better! I enjoyed the positive outlook he had all his life! I also didn’t realize he was the one who worked with Robert Redford in The Horse Whisperer movie. Very motivating person!

[Candida · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was something I never planned on reading. I had watched The Horse Whisperer and I didn't like it. But I watched a documentary on Buck and thought his story was interesting. As I read this book I realized what an amazing life this man has had. He grew up suffering so much abuse and under so much pressure to perform and he learned to form a true understanding of horses. Knowing that they cannot communicate for themselves and suffer abuse and pressure to perform has driven this man's life. It is truly a good book.

[Lise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for many reasons. A non horse person might not care for it but it gives a window into a great horseman who is trying to improve horses lives in spite of some humans. I have seen Buck at a clinic and he is a master of his craft. As an aside Buck helped Robert Redford with the movie a Horse Whisperer and he speaks about the making of that movie as well.
The horse rescue I volunteer at train their horses with his methods and I have seen them work over and over again.
Buck is man with a big heart and a calling.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brannaman is an exceptional individual and should be an inspiration for everyone who uses poor treatment as an excuse for their failings. The writing won't win any awards but the message is a good one. Every time I think about little Buck somersaulting off his horse and landing on his feet I smile. The lady at his clinic who is riding a young horse for both of their first times is great also. I wish I could attend one of his clinics.

[Sarah Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I wouldn't say that the plot is exceptionally thick or well-written, what makes this book so captivating for horse lovers is that this man GETS IT - you can tell in how he writes and the care he takes in telling his story that he deeply loves the horses -- and people. I am consistently enamored with the "bootstrap gene" and this man has it in spades. We -- people and horses -- are so lucky to have him in this world. A super-fast, easy read that was 100 percent enjoyable.

[♞ Pat Gent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm lucky enough to know Buck Brannaman since I have ridden my horses in several of his clinics. He is honest - sometimes brutally so - and he gives everything he has to help horses with people problems. I've learned so much from him. What's in these pages is only a small picture of who he is and what he's about. I feel lucky that his path and mine have crossed. I consider him a true mentor and advocate for horses everywhere.

[Courtney Featherstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t aware of what I was getting myself into! This was recommended to me and I read it on blind trust. If you’re looking for a book on horse training this is but also is not it. You learn the backstory of Buck’s life. His continued tragedy cuts deep and molded him into a thoughtful and considerate human. A great read if you want a reminder that your life isn’t that tough. You catch more flies with sugar than vinegar.