More autobiography than training tips yet powerful

A friend of mine is a big Buck Brannaman fan and about 14 or 15 years ago took to me to one of his clinics just to watch from the sidelines. I wasn't feeling good that day, but went, and came away wondering why people paid to be at his clinics when there were times he said things that could make their feelings hurt . . . or said things that gave me the impression that he was soured on people due to all that he had to fix in horses. He seemed so grim to me that day.

My friend was disappointed that I didn't view Buck Brannaman the same way she did. And, I couldn't understand her view either. I was fairly new to horses then, and since then have learned a lot more about them. And, about myself.

I enjoyed the movie Buck and my friend who won't go to movies went after I raved about it to her and she enjoyed it too. Said she was going to buy the dvd.

So, I had listened to two of Mark Rashid's audio books and decided to listen to The Faraway Horses since someone left a feedback that the two were very similar.

Not sure I agree with them being "very" similar after listening to this book, but their paths were somewhat parallel. Buck Brannaman's path was pretty rocky from the start and I had just started the book where he told of his childhood. I went to sleep and woke in the middle of the night, so upset and disturbed by the abuse he and his brother had experienced. Not just the physical abuse, but also the other terrible things, such as the slaughter of his friend the bull. The book is pretty powerful in parts, having an impact with such revelations.

His journey has been interesting, and I have a better understanding of his public side, and appreciate all he has done to shine light on abusive practices . . . he doesn't pussyfoot around when a person needs to be told something when the telling will improve things for horses.

I knew some of what had happened in the Arabian show world and used to write about it and even called the Arabian Horse Association when I witnessed some things, but the story Buck told about the Arabian stallion in Scottsdale was sad and enlightening.

There is so much I need to learn about horses, and myself, and I appreciate and respect Buck Brannaman sharing his journey, knowledge, and experiences. It was a glimpse iinto a human being who is making the world a better place, and I wish him all the best.

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18 people found this helpful

Using negative experiences for good

Would you consider the audio edition of The Faraway Horses to be better than the print version?

While I have not read the print version of this book, I firmly believe that the excellent narration adds something to the experience.

What other book might you compare The Faraway Horses to and why?

This book is unlike any other book I have read. It is an engaging mix of austobiography, horse training advice and general philosophy woven together in a conversational style.

Which character – as performed by John Pruden – was your favorite?

The narrator perfectly captures the conversational style of the writing. The book is not so much read, as spoken. It's easy to imagine the author is just sitting at my kitchen table telling about things he has experienced.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could have easily listened to the book all day, but I resisted this temptation, partly in order to make the book last longer.

Any additional comments?

There are people in this world, who choose to use negative eyperiences in their lives to create positive experiences for others. I think that is the underlying message of this book, that you can get through the bad things and use them to help yourself and others. There is a lot of hope in this book, and a lot of encouragement for anyone who may be struggling.

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7 people found this helpful

Got Very Little Useful Horse Information

This book should have been named: Revenge of a Bitter yet Virtuous Man: Outing Those Who Have Wronged Me. Buck Brannaman insists that we horse people take responsibility for our interactions with our horses, which I completely agree with, but doesn't account for his own actions when things with people have gone wrong. His divorce was completely the fault of his first wife and her parents. His hitting on a woman who was married, then marrying her himself, was completely justified. Ugh. Buck, Human relationships are important too.

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It's Buck.

If you could sum up The Faraway Horses in three words, what would they be?
What's not to like! This story follows the movie pretty closely but as with all books contains more info than a movie would. Some parts we're tough to hear about, horse abuse, the abuse Buck and his brother suffered but there's ALOT to be learned from Buck's way of dealing with it all.....The world would be a MUCH BETTER PLACE if more people were like him! #unlikelyhero #inspiration #selfdiscovery #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

What did you like best about this story?
How he overcame all the adversity, especially when he had to deal with a man who severely beat his horse as a court order. SO many life lessons to be learned in that one story!

Have you listened to any of John Pruden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No, this was the first one. By the end you think it's Buck talking. He has a wonderfully soothing voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Too many to fit in this little box!

Any additional comments?
Listen with an open mind.....there's a wealth of learning to take with you after listening to this book. It will improve your life and everyone around you if you heed the lessons Buck teaches.

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Great Uplifter

Such a wonderful book. I have loved horses my whole life and consider myself to be a horsewoman, though I am no pro. I am also acutely aware of the impact that horses have had on my own life, as well as others around me. So, I elected "The Faraway Horses" to read because I had seen "Buck," the motion picture that was out last year and wanted to know more about this fascinating man. As I listened to the stories about his life and the impact he has had on the lives he has touched, it was profoundly emotional for me. This is a story about someone's life who happens to be intertwined with horses. If you're looking for training tools, this is not the place for it (although he does share a few tips); it's really a feel-good story. Even if you know nothing about horses, this is a book for everyone - a good story with some good life lessons.

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All around best buy.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES! This is simply a perfect audio choice for any horse lover, for any believer that there ARE a few truly good humans in this world, for anyone wanting to feel their spirits lifted again. John Pruden reads this book so well its as if he actually was Buck himself.

What other book might you compare The Faraway Horses to and why?

Hmmm I think Buck and Mark Rashid have A LOT in common.

What about John Pruden’s performance did you like?

I loved listening to John Pruden narrate this book, his smooth voice and slight cowboy accent was a perfect choice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

Any additional comments?

Everyone and anyone who has interacted with a horse should read or listen to this book. OLD and YOUNG a like. Anyone who reads or listens to this book will find themselves looking deep into their own lives, wanting to be a better person, defintely wanting to be a better horseman, wanting to be a better person. Bravo!

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3 people found this helpful

Educational!

I've had horses for years and I learned a few new things from Buck! Would recommend!

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The Faraway Horses

What made the experience of listening to The Faraway Horses the most enjoyable?

The experience of why Buck understands how the horses think. And, I thought it was only me.

What did you like best about this story?

His honesty.

Have you listened to any of John Pruden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't know John Pruden from Adam, but he was great at his reading of the book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are lots of Clinicians out there telling you what to do to train a horse. There are very few of them who actually tell you what the horse thinks and why, and they understand, because they've been in that horse's hooves and know what true fear is and how encouragement, not coddling, can turn a fearful horse, like a fearful child, into a productive companion, not a pet nor a broken slave, but a trusted partner. Like anything or anyone else, the horse wants to be understood, wants to understand you and wants to be treated fairly while this learning process is going on.

Any additional comments?

Buck is a survivor. Horses are survivors, whether they live in the wild or in our back yards. They must choose to be with us and we must figure out how to make them want to make the choice to want to be with us. Then, a relationship can happen. People must earn this relationship. You can beat your kids, your horse, or anyone until they are broken, if you're big, mean and strong enough. It takes understanding and patience to help a horse become your partner. All Buck does is say, This is what the horse thinks, help him to see things the way they could be.

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Amazing and humbling

I’ve never felt compelled to review really any of the couple hundred books I’ve listened to but this book was an amazing listen, Buck is a very fascinating guy. It was incredibly humbling, especially as a green rider, to hear him explain the wrong way to go about interacting with your horse and why it’s wrong and how to approach it correctly. A lot of which I have been guilty of. William reynolds was a great narrator and really brought the story to life.

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New favorite audiobook

I have long time been a follower of Buck. My only regret is not reading this book sooner.

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