‘The Horse Whisperer’ to conduct classes on Kaua’i

Buck Brannaman, whose kinship with horses inspired a best-selling novel and movie, “The Horse Whisperer,” is coming to Kaua’i to conduct horsemanship clinics.

The clinics are scheduled for the Princeville Ranch, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 16 through 18.

Brannaman has been traveling across the country nearly every week, and has been conducting clinics for the past 20 years. This will be his first time to Kaua’i to conduct a clinic.

By conducting clinics, he teaches horse owners of all kinds how to better understand and work with their animals through creating a relationship based on trust and respect rather than force.

“We can also use this method to learn how to relate to people better,” said Lucinda Mischetti of Kilauea, who has been instrumental in bringing Brannaman to the island.

“Buck’s methods are grounded in communicating with horses, on reading their body language and making them feel secure so horse and rider can achieve a true union,” she said.

Brannaman has become something of a legend, mainly for his depiction as the main character in “The Horse Whisperer” movie and novel.

Brannaman in 2001 wrote his autobiography, “The Faraway Horses,” and is currently working on a new book, “Believe The Way We Want To Be.

“Anyone with a love for horses would agree that there is a never-ending relationship of learning between man and horse,” said Mischetti.

“Most of all, we should want to get closer in that partnership with our horses with trust,” she said.

Robert Redford had this to say about the instructor: “Buck Brannaman is part of a lineage of skilled horsemen, and for the horses he works with, it is about trust and understanding, not submission.”

Anyone wishing to take part in the clinics, or getting the chance to ride with Brannaman, should call Mischetti, 635-5152 or 828-1010, for more details.

Even those without horses or who don’t ride may still audit the sessions for $25 per day, she said.