HEE- hee! I used to live just down the road from Xenora and up the road from the Olde Hide House
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That horse is a Saint and if he keeps it up will learn how to pace.
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Strong up/ down vibes. I’ve lead beginner trail rides with more talent.
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This is the guy with the bitless bridle that he did/did not copy from Dr. Cook, correct?
And supposedly this video, by default, demonstrates the wondrous, majickal powers of the aforementioned bitless bridle?
Alrighty then. I’ll take several. 
The fact that this guy represents himself as some kind of an expert on any aspect of horsemanship is appalling. He never lets go of that poor horse’s face. Is there any purpose to his riding? And… Is he actually attempting a Peronace 'numping at one point?
Although I must commend Monsieur Buck for his sense of rhythm. His hands bounce in time with the motion of his horse. That’s some kind of accomplishment, right there.
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They both ripped off the “Be Nice” halter design.
It appears from a glance at some of the lawsuits/appeals filed by the Rev. that he and Dr. Cook were originally partners.
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I do not understand the use of the crupper and poorly fitted Martingale. Is all that gear really required to tensely shuffle around?
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It holds the badly fitted saddle in one spot, I guess.
That horse is a saint.
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Yep, it’s the Spirit Bridle… which is essentially the Dr. Cook bridle. Allan said his patent was stolen. Sure. No one carries Allan’s version of the bitless bridle but you can still purchased it on eBay. Here are all the magickal things Mr. Buck claims the bridle does (directly from the eBay ad); I bolded the really magickal parts:
Following you will find information from the inventor of the Spirit Bridle - Rev. Edward Allan Buck
A LEAP FROM THE PAST INTO THE FUTURE… The Spirit Bridle is a revolutionary new humane bridle. Traditional bridles, both bitted and bitless, steer and control the horse by ‘pulling.’ The Spirit Bridle uses no bit and controls entirely by ‘pushing’ and putting pressure on the poll and the acupressure points behind the ear. And horses respond more willingly to being pushed than pulled. Unlike the bit, which pulls on the sensitive tissues of the mouth and causes pain, or standard bitless bridles like the hackamore, which irritate the horse and could obstruct the airways, the Spirit Bridle is painless, safe and, therefore, more effective. The Spirit Bridle has been used with exceptional results. By removing a proven impediment to performance, your horse can give you a free, light, loose, supple and unconstrained ride. The Perfect Ride… an effortless dance, you and your horse in earthly flight.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is the difference between your bridle and Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bride and other copy cat bitless bridles with the under the jaw technology? The design used by Dr. Cook is my original design of 1988 and has operating flaws. The current design of Spirit Bridle is the more efficient design originating from my first design.
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Does Spirit Bridle cause any pain or discomfort? No, the Spirit Bridle is designed so as not to inflict pain or discomfort to the horse in any manner, at any location. The wide poll strap and round rein sections are just two of the reasons for the humane application of Spirit Bridle.
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Does Spirit Bridle cause damage to the nerves on the jaw or any other location? No, the Spirit Bridle causes no damage or injury of any kind to any nerves. It is designed to release pressure rather than continuously apply pressure.
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Does Spirit Bridle work like other bridles for steering? Yes, the Spirit Bridle is used directionally the same as conventional bridles. Spirit Bridle allows the horse to be soft and supple in the neck and back, so the horse will turn tighter and more vertical.
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Does Spirit Bridle have stopping capability? Yes, the Spirit Bridle stops a horse. It is so efficient that it is recognized for horse racing. To stop a horse who is trying to run off, the rider needs only to shake the head and then hold. Usually it takes only two or three such actions to stop the horse. With Spirit Bridle, the rider is actually braking the horse from the hindquarter.
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Can the Spirit Bridle create soft, supple lateral movements? Yes, the Spirit Bridle creates lateral movements that are soft and supple and with a longer stride when needed. This is a result of the hindquarters being engaged and the back being up.
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Can the Spirit Bridle aid the rider in obtaining “collection” in the horse? Most assuredly. In fact, the Spirit Bridle “allows” the horse to correctly collect because the horse is coming under the rider in complete softness and suppleness.
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What types of riding can Spirit Bridle be used? In non-competitive events where there are equipment requirements, Spirit Bridle should be used all of the time for the physical well being of the horse.
(He tried during USEF for horse abuse and because they wouldn’t approve the Spirit bridle so he has to recommend for non-competition).
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What are the physical benefits to the horse who uses Spirit Bridle? First and foremost, the horse is allowed to breath naturally, receiving as much air as possible when necessary. Second, the neck muscles are allowed to become soft and supple which allows the shoulders to reach farther out. Third, the back is allowed to be up in its natural position which alleviates back pain. Fourth, the hindquarters are allowed to function as designed which lengthens the stride. All of these attributes create a softer ride for the rider and a horse with greater performance through greater freedom.
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Why are there differences in the models of Spirit Bridle? The differences are strictly image differences. The operating technology is exactly the same. The endurance version is based upon the design requirements asked for by the riders. The dressage/show version is designed to be thinner and refined in image. The western version is designed to add strength for usage where riders feel that they require it.
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Has Spirit Bridle be approved for competition by any equine sanctioning body? Yes In 2002, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission authorized its use in thoroughbred horse racing. In the summer of 2002, the head of the Rules for the American Quarter Horse Association authorized its use under the abuse rule.
He also tried suing the AQHA for millions because he supposedly couldn’t train horses to win in AQHA because the current way of training them is totally abusive. The case was dismissed. He some how got the bitless bridle approved with AQHA but alas, no one uses it.
Mr. Buck is a sue happy fellow and even ran for president one year.
Oh, and the martingale comes with the bridle. I can’t remember his kooky reasoning but yep, part of the bridle.
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Those videos are so boring. I don’t understand how any of you got through them. Honestly.
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Huh. Maybe Sr. Buck was using a defective Spirit Bridle in that video because he does not seem to be realizing any of the purported magickal powers. 
Again, I wonder why the horse world seems rife with characters who are not content with just being honest, kind, successful equestrians in their local community. Instead they have to present themselves as some kind of all-knowing revolutionary who’s gonna reveal how inhumane and clueless we’ve all been. It’s puzzling to me.
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Fast forward.
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In defense of Buck’s Spirit Bridle it was the “best” of the six or so bitless bridles I tried, at least as far as the release goes.
HOWEVER, even with my hand problems with my MS the lesson horses I ride have “told” me and my riding teachers that they, the horses, prefer me using a double bridle on them. My double bridle right now has titanium bits but I also got GOOD results using stainless steel double bridle bits.
So the horses I now ride now prefer 1) titanium bits (if the horse likes the model of that bit in its mouth) and my double bridle. They do NOT prefer bitless bridles of any type in spite of all my hand, balance and coordination problems from my MS.
With bits the horses and I have an actual conversation. I got so bored with the bitless bridles because we did not have these wonderful conversations.
But if I ever HAVE TO go bitless I will be using Alan Buck’s Spirit Bridle first. I sincerely hope that time will never come because I would miss my conversations with the lesson horses about my riding.
When the horses say I am not using the bits properly I work hard at improving my riding, yet again. So long as I take good care of the horses’ mouths they seem to prefer bits, much to my initial surprise.
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Wow, I’ve always wanted a bridle that would smash my horse’s poll. Because that’s not a sensitive area or anything. And I didn’t know my horses couldn’t breath in their bridles - because horses breath through their mouths and all.
I think the martingale is to stop the horse from lawn-darting people who ride like this?
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To what part? I tried and everytime I stop it’s still like watching paint dry.
Say what you will about Glammourdale but at least people found that video entertaining to watch. I cannot imagine posting video after unedited video of a horse walking… badly… and thinking that any other human other than your family members would find that interesting.
When I did baby dressage I didn’t fool myself that anyone wanted to see that. It’s a necessary training step, sure, but it’s not entertaining. AT ALL.
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All communities or professions that have low credentialing barriers to entry are full of frauds. And even some that have credential barriers still generate frauds and deluded ammies (see nutrition natural healing psychotherapy etc). And these folks can make big money. By and large no incompetent wannabe trainer takes in cash like a phone psychic or nutrtion scammer.
There are certainly enough incompetent ammie singers and painters out there hoping to sell their work.
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The martingale is a Spirit Yoke, which is essential to the Spirit Bridle. I remember him yacking about it when he posted here (under multiple aliases) years ago. He even posted vid of him “jumping.”
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Maybe the Spirit Yoke keeps the horse from throwing up his head and bonking you on your head when he gets fed up. I don’t think it would disable lawn darting but it would disable getting your nose broken. So I see why it would be an essential part of the equipment.
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Spirit like “the essence of untamed wild horses” or “hard liquor” or “haunted?” Or a little of all 3?
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Sure it is. 
A martingale, by any other name, is still a martingale.
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Careful the “ole horseman” doesn’t threaten to get his pack of lawyers onto you for sharing that. I shared it once and got a hysterical message from him, threatening to take legal action. He’s tried to cleanse the interwebs of ALL evidence of him on a horse so that he can keep on being the boss of his female heavy group of “followers”. I notice that he’s recently relocated within Australia, and is looking for riders to train in his special dressage skills (as clearly evidenced in the video above), I do wonder how he’s got residency in Australia at all - his visa process would be an interesting one to see. Australia’s not just a country one can decide to move to and live in - even if married to a citizen - surely he wouldn’t be a visa overstay …?
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