The Real “Horse Whisperer”

Buck Brannaman as himself in "Buck," directed by Cindy Meehl. Photo by Ezra D. Olsen. A Sundance Selects Release.

National Geographic
Posted by Andrew Howley
June 16, 2011

For years, National Geographic has helped people discover the deeper meanings behind human relationships with animals through “Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan” on the National Geographic Channel.

The name of “Dog Whisperer” itself though is a tribute to the famous book and film “The Horse Whisperer,” based on the work of several people who have dumbfounded horse owners and crowds with their ability to quietly and peacefully communicate with “trouble” horses who had seemed unapproachably violent to others. Read complete story >

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Comments

  1. Joseph S. Rendon says

    I just saw the film yesterday and it was an outstanding documentary of the manys life and his purpose. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw this film. Especially when nothing could be done for the wrongfully treated horse from Chico, Ca. It was amazing what he had done to calm the horse so the wrangler coud get on him. To bad the short training didn’t stick with the horse after the guy got off him. I would like to maybe get into a clinic with Buck sometime when my horse is ready. I have a few problems that is my fault, where I spoiled her, but trying to change that. This may sound stupid but I talk to her all the time and touch her alot to where she does responds. Like in the film where Buck takes ‘Ol Man Steps’ I did the same the other day and she just walked slowly behind me, it was without a lead rope. All in all I really enjoyed the film and I think more people should take the time to understand their animals. Dogs respond almost the same way. Thank you for the time for me to post this comment.

    • I can’t wait to see this film. It’s not stupid that you talk to her all the time. But, you said you wanted to get her into a clinic with Buck when your horse is ready — your horse is ready! 🙂 She’ll love it. Buck can meet you exactly where you are in your horsemanship, it’s amazing. Hope you get to one soon, if not with her maybe you can attend as a spectator.

  2. Do you know if the sound track is available for BUCK?

    • pammiles says

      There isn’t a “soundtrack” to the film, but here’s a list of the songs as noted on our credits… also, here’s a link to the last song in the film, Eddie Vedder’s Just Breathe http://pearljam.com/song/just-breathe

      SONGS

      “NUMBERS 1 TO 4”
      Written by Simon Jeffes
      Performed by Penguin Café Orchestra
      Licensed by Arrangement with Editions Penguin Café Limited
      Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd.
      Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
      “PRELUDE AND YODEL”
      Written by Simon Jeffes
      Performed by Penguin Café Orchestra
      Licensed by Arrangement with Editions Penguin Café Limited
      Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd.
      Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

      “DRONE/BED #8”
      Composed by Joel Goodman
      Published by Idnar Music
      Courtesy of Hi-Fi Productions

      “FRIENDS & FOES”
      Written & Performed by Stephen Katz
      Licensed by Arrangement with Stephen Katz

      “THE BOAT”
      Written by Judy Hyman
      Performed by The Horse Flies
      Licensed by Arrangement with Pest Control Music

      “NICKEL MOUNTAIN”
      Written by Mark Orton
      Performed by Mark Orton and Megan Orton
      Licensed by Arrangement with Camp Watertown Music
      Courtesy of Hans Wendl Produktion

      “WHAT AWAITS”
      Composed by David Bramfitt
      Published by Idnar Music (ASCAP)
      Courtesy of Hi-Fi Productions
      “THE KILLER IS CAUGHT”
      Written by Gideon Freudmann
      Performed by Gideon Freudmann
      Licensed by Arrangement with CelloBop Music
      Courtesy of Octagon Records

      “THE KISS”
      Written by Peter Dodge, Jeff Claus and Judy Hyman
      Performed by The Horse Flies
      Licensed by Arrangement with Pest Control Music

      “WARMTH OF YOUR LOVE”
      Written by Richard Stearns
      Performed by The Horse Flies
      Licensed by Arrangement with Pest Control
      Music
      “OPEN TRAIL”
      Composed by Joel Goodman
      Published by Idnar Music
      Courtesy of Hi-Fi Productions

      “BUILD A HOUSE AND BURN IT DOWN”
      Written by Jeff Claus, Judy Hyman and Richard Stearns
      Performed by The Horse Flies
      Licensed by Arrangement with Pest Control Music

      “BILL”
      Written by Mark Orton
      Performed by Mark Orton and Megan Orton
      Licensed by Arrangement with Camp Watertown Music
      Courtesy of Hans Wendl Produktion

      “CLAIRE ARRIVES”
      Written by Jeff Claus and Judy Hyman
      Performed by The Horse Flies
      Licensed by Arrangement with Pest Control Music
      “THE WOODS”
      Written by Judy Hyman
      Performed by The Horse Flies
      Licensed by Arrangement with Pest Control Music

      “CUTTING THE TREES”
      Written by Jeff Claus
      Performed by The Horse Flies
      Licensed by Arrangement with Pest Control Music
      “FOUND PEACE”
      Composed by Joel Goodman
      Published by Idnar Music
      Courtesy of Hi-Fi Productions

      “FAR FROM HOME”
      Composed by Joel Goodman
      Published by Idnar Music
      Courtesy of Hi-Fi Productions

      “SHEEP DIP”
      Written by Simon Jeffes and Geoffrey Richardson
      Performed by Penguin Café Orchestra
      Licensed by Arrangement with Editions Penguin Café Limited
      Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd.
      Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

      “JUST BREATHE”
      Written by Eddie Vedder
      Published by Innocent Bystander
      Performed by Pearl Jam

      • I have searched all over iTunes etc to find the movie songs for downloads. I found some from the Penguin Cafe Orchestra but not the instrumental songs from the opening scene? Is it not commercially available anywhere?

  3. Maureen Liontis says

    I have seen this movie twice so far and can’t wait to buy it to review again and again. It is encouraging to know that a person can pick themselves up from the depths of such unspeakable experiences and go on to teach other humans and animals the value of respect and love.

    I loved this documentary! Thanks Buck. A friend of mine and I will try to get to your Florida event in October.

    Maureen

    • pammiles says

      Thanks for your kind comments Maureen. Hope you have a great time with Buck at the clinic!

  4. Please don’t ever confuse the talented Buck Brannaman, the true “horse whisperer” with someone like Cesar Milan who has dubbed himself the Dog Whisperer (as per the comment on this website above). Buck is the real deal and does what he does to help out animals. Cesar Milan is a man with questionable credentials who has managed to make a name for himself by good marketing. Many trusted dog trainers will tell you that Milan’s methods are often questionable and sometimes downright dangerous. When he took the name the “dog whisperer” I was truly offended. He is nowhere near the man Buck is–so don’t confuse the men behind the 2 titles.

  5. Great film. Soundtrack is wonderful. Would love to be able to find/ purchase some of it.

  6. Catharine Finch says

    Great film, I watch it whenever. I need to feel good. I had a fear of horses and a very good friend in Canada taught me to be around horses and to ride! she was my buck but sadly, that was nineteen years ago, I’m now 62 years old and haven’t ridden a horse since then. I wish I’d seen this film way back then.