Which DVDs do I start with?

[thattaboytommi]

I’ve been saving up for Clinton Anderson’s DUH training DVDs, and have been looking at some. For any of you who use CA, which one should I get?

The Fundamentals, the Intermediate Series, or Riding With Confidence Part I (or II, or III)? Here are a few reasons about why I’d like to use one of these 3…
The reason I’d use Intermediate: Pressure and release…and giving to pressure. My horse could use tuning up, we can side-pass, pivot, leg-yield, back, disengage, and some other things, but not as prompt and precise as I’d like it to be. He also respects me some of the time, but does have other issues. He only does things when he feels like it, and can be dull or resentful. I would use spurs, but I am scared of using them wrong accidentally. I like Clinton Anderson, and have used a few of his methods already.
The reason I’d use Fundamentals: To tune my horse to be a trustworthy partner, and to learn to respect me fully. To obey me, and to teach ME to keep him happy and willing to learn.
The reason I’d use Riding With Confidence Series: He runs away with me sometimes, and although I do the 1-rein stop (he does stop then), that doesn’t ‘fix’ the brake problem. I need to work on my seat & balance. He needs to learn to settle down completely, and not go faster or slower than what I ask. Him & I could both use confidence building also.
Somewhere down the road of life, I might like to start a small training business … So these DVDs would be kept and definitely used as long as I have and train horses.
Which set/series have you gotten and learned from? Which set/series do you suggest me & my horse would need?
Thanks in advance!
I would like to hear from any of you who follow Clinton Anderson.

[Flash44]

Since he runs away with you sometimes and your 1 rein stop does not work, you have something missing in the foundation of his training. Warning - you might get an earful about Clinton, he’s not the most popular person here.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

I’d first advise finding a trainer IRL to work with you on the issues you’re having with your horse.

If you want DVDs you can learn from for general reference, I’d suggest the 7 Clinics series with Buck Brannaman, or anything with Tom Dorrance or Ray Hunt. Bill Dorrance’s book True Horsemanship Through Feel is also a good one.

If you go to the Eclectic Horseman site you can browse lots of good books and DVDs. You can also subscribe to their magazine and their DVD series which allows you to see the work of lots of different trainers.

I’ve seen videos by the person you mention and I would not recommend anything by him.

[beau159]

The best thing I would suggest is working with a trainer in person. You will learn more hands-on from someone than you will a DVD because that person can give you instant feedback on what you are doing and what your horse is doing. I wouldn’t go drop your horse off at the trainer, or anything like that, but I would invest in weekly lessons and then you can work on what you’ve been taught each week.

@thattaboytommi;8344852

Somewhere down the road of life, I might like to start a small training business … So these DVDs would be kept and definitely used as long as I have and train horses.

Most people who are decent trainers have learned from being an apprentice with another trainer …not from watching DVDs.

[thattaboytommi]

Thank you. I do not know of any trainers (right now, anyway) that are in the area as of now, but I will definitely look for some.
pAIN’T_Misbehavin’ ; Buck Brannaman is one I like. Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt I’ve only heard of. Haven’t read too many books or seen too much of them & their work. I will have to check them out!
Flash44: Thanks for the warning!
Have a good day!
-thattaboytommi-

[thattaboytommi]

pAin’t_Misbehavin’ : I have a question: What all is the 7 Clinics Series about?

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

[QUOTE=thattaboytommi;8345450]
pAin’t_Misbehavin’ : I have a question: What all is the 7 Clinics Series about?[/QUOTE]

It was filmed by the lady who did the movie Buck, at the same time as she was gathering footage for the movie. It’s video from seven different clinics Buck did during, I think, 2010. The clinics filmed were colt-starting, horsemanship I and II, and cow-working (although the CW one shows just “dry” work - exercises where the riders prepare skills needed for cow work, no actual cows).

The first DVD is all about groundwork: hooking on, leading, circles, leading by, breaking over behind, backing, etc. The others cover various aspects of ridden work.

It’s the best series I’ve seen for nuts-and-bolts type stuff: what order to teach what skill, etc. You get to see Buck demonstrate the skill, then watch the students practice and Buck correct/advise them.

Here’s a link to the website with clips and more info: http://www.7clinics.com/

Watching the series is a lot like auditing one of his clinics. Minus the driving rain and wind we had at the one in SC this weekend!

[Pocket_Pony]

Ditto the suggestions for the 7 Clinics DVDs. I started with those and then attended a Buck clinic in person, and from doing my homework with the DVDs, I was very well-prepared for the clinic.

Also ditto that if your horse is running away with you, then you need some real strong work on the fundamentals. The 7 Clinics will help you tremendously if you watch, watch, and watch again, then practice, watch, practice, practice, watch, etc. I found that I started out with looking at the big picture, the gross movements, the obvious. The more I watched and the more I practiced, I saw, learned, and felt the timing of the smaller, almost imperceptible aids, the light as a feather feel to lead and stop your horse, the whisper of an aid.

I’m not a fan of CA - seems more showman than horseman to me.

[Joozybug]

Like him or not,I think he makes excellent videos. I have only used the groundwork videos not the riding ones. I like to start each horse on the ground with the CA method. It teaches the horse to be respectful and keeps the handler safe. Then I move on to a trainer.

[Kwill]

I don’t normally post here – just stopped by – but I started with Clinton Anderson, then moved on to the 7 Clinics vidoes with lessons from a trainer in our area who followed Buck’s methods. I feel that combination really helped me understand the methods and improved my horsemanship. It gives you some great tools for the toolbox.

[dog_amp_horsemom]

I LOVE Clinton Anderson"s Method and used it on four horses now - anywhere from disrespectful ottb’s who I got because his previous owner couldn’t ride him due to bucking - to spooky horses - to yearlings.
I started out just getting his book - he has several but it is the one where he profiles two riders - one english, one western and their really badly behaved four yr olds. It goes into great detail step by step on what to do and I would start there - it is also called the Fundamental - so you could get that dvd set but I think you might be alright with just the book.
There is also a Facebook Clinton Anderson for sale page.
For me - out of All the trainers out there - his method has been the easiest for me to understand and produced the results that I wanted ( and needed).
For his running away - for instance - you will learn the "cruising lesson’. Its all in the book - and good luck!

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Joozybug;8346114]
Like him or not,I think he makes excellent videos. [/QUOTE]

I agree. I have his trailer loading DVD and it helped greatly. I think he does a really good job of EXPLAINING what he is doing, why, when where, etc, so that just about anybody watching the video can understand.

I think positive things can certainly be gained from his DVDs.

[barnchick277]

If I were you I would get the subscription to Warwick Schiller’s library of videos. It’s only $25 per month and he is amazing with his explanations. My friend and I started a horse from the ground up using his “method” this summer and the results were amazing. He also has a FB page to ask questions on and he is very responsive

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

Actually you might just want to join http://giddyupflix.com/. It’s only 12 bucks a month to get 1 DVD at a time. It’s like netflix - you start a queue, keep the disc as long as you like, then return it to get the next dvd in line.

That way, you can sample bunches of different trainers - they have stuff from every trainer named on this thread and bunches more - before you sink a lot of money into DVDs to keep.

[littlebaypony]

pAin’t_Misbehavin’ made an excellent recommendation. I’ve watched CA, BB, the Dorrences, Ray Hunt, John Lyons, Pat Parrelli (took 2 weeks to struggle thru 1 DVD), Richard Shrake, Ken McNabb, Monty Roberts, Martin Black, Ryan Gengerich, Josh Armstrong, and several English instructors and I have come to 2 conclusions: you can learn something useful from all of them and go with the person you can stand to sit and listen to for hours at a time. Richard Shrake put me to sleep, Parrelli was like fingernails on a chalkboard to me, etc. I liked John Lyons and Buck best, thought they did a better job of explaining what they were doing and looking for and they weren’t hung up on catch phrases. But watch a few and chose who YOU connect with.