Where is Your Weight?

With Buck Brannaman This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.65 We know it’s the little things that make the big difference, not only in fine horsemanship, but in staying safe in the saddle. At a recent clinic Buck demonstrated how he uses his feet to help keep in a safe position. “When I slide […]

Putting a Coil in Your Mecate

With Buck Brannaman When you are riding with a mecate, especially on greener horses, you should always be in a ready position to keep yourself out of trouble. If you’re going to the right, you’re going to want to have that coil in your left hand because if things fall apart you’re going to want […]

Cow Horse Turnarounds with Buck Brannaman

Excerpt from the Horseman’s Gazette Premiere Issue Confused around the turnaround? In this segment horseman Buck Brannaman explains the proper form and function of a cow horse turn. A typical cow horse turn is done on the outside hind leg. However, as a horse develops speed in the turn, centrifugal force will cause him to […]

Serpentine Without Reins with Buck Brannaman

Written by Buck Brannaman & Emily Kitching This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.36 If you have the goal of one day riding your horse in the bridle you need to be preparing for the future. Being able to guide your horse left and right with your legs, in proper form, is essential. […]

The Reaching Exercise with Buck Brannaman

This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.31 – Subscribe today! To ride your horse properly, there should never be a time that you change directions without directing your horse’s leading foot. Every time you take your horse’s nose off the centerline, you need to be in harmony with his feet. Changing directions without […]

The Half-Circle Exercise

With Buck Brannaman This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.27 I learned this exercise by watching people get taken advantage of by horses. This is the exact opposite of what horses typically train you to do; they gradually advance toward you all the time and you end up back pedaling to avoid getting […]

Clearing Out the Front Quarters

With Buck Brannaman photos by Emily Kitching This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No. 26 Subscribe Today! There are two parts to groundwork; safety and refinement. The safety part is where you are working on having your horse to where he is relaxed enough so that when you get on you can have […]

Bridling Your Horse with Buck Brannaman

With Buck Brannaman It seems simple enough: bridling your horse. But for any of us who have inherited a bridling problem with a new horse, or created a bridling problem with our own horse, we know that there are numerous ways to fail our horses when it comes time to put the bridle on. At his […]

Centering Your Horse with Buck Brannaman

What I am looking for when I am riding a horse of any level, a green colt or an experienced bridle horse, is for him to stay centered underneath me. When I’m riding, I draw an imaginary rectangle around my horse; there is a line in front of his nose, one on each side of […]

Branding Etiquette

With Buck Brannaman This article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.4 There are many unspoken rules to the tradition of gathering and branding calves at seasonal spring brandings. Horseman Buck Brannaman offers some suggestions to help keep everyone safe and your horse and cattle happy. Gathering Riding in ahead of the boss is disrespectful.  When you […]

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.