Professional animal training – and in particular, horse training – underwent a total rebranding several years ago with the release of a book, and follow-up movie, The Horse Whisperer. Horse whispering describes a method of dealing with an animal that is both sensitive and nuanced by a trainer with a strong affinity for the animal.
The novel’s author Nicholas Evans based that description on the work of Buck Brannaman – a man he describes as the Zen master of the horse world. Buck is the focus of a movie – a documentary – released here in Australian cinemas on February 17th. It was an award winner at last year’s Sundance Film Festival. The movie is about Buck’s work with horses, his attitudes, and background. Cameron Wilson speaks with Buck Brannaman, horse trainer and subject of the movie ‘Buck’