"Buck" a documentary directed by Cindy Meehl, which won the U.S. Documentary Competition Audience Award at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival is recognized as one of the great horse-related stories of modern times.
Praised by movie critics and horse lovers, alike, the documentary is based on the life of Buck Brannaman, one of the individuals who inspired the character of "Tom Booker" in the Nicholas Evans novel, "The Horse Whisperer", and who also acted as the lead equine consultant for that film directed by Robert Redford
Buck Brannaman became a horse trainer and is now a leading practitioner within the field of natural horsemanship using an understanding of how horses think and communicate to train horses to accept humans and work confidently and responsively with them.
Brannaman's childhood was difficult and characterized by abuse byf his father. He and his brother spent a number of years in foster care placement. During this time, he grew to love horses and found comfort in riding and working with them.
He learned a great deal about horses and began to look at a situation from the point of view of the horse. He later used these experiences in his career as a horse trainer, recognizing in difficult animals the same fear and hostile reactions he remembered from his own childhood:
Nicholas Evans is quoted as saying, "Others have falsely claimed to be the inspiration for Tom Booker in "The Horse Whisperer." The one who truly inspired me was Buck Brannaman. His skill, understanding and his gentle, loving heart have parted the clouds for countless troubled creatures. Buck is the Zen master of the horse world."
The publicity from that book and movie, along with Brannaman's approach to treating troubled horses and troubled humans with equal doses of compassion, has helped promote other fields such as therapeutic horseback riding.
According to the director, Cindy Meehl, the newer film documentary, "Buck", was created to move people to make changes in how they deal with horses and life's challenges. This film intends to inspire, motivate and teach through principles of respect, partnership and trust rather than anger, fear and intimidation.
According to Meehl, she met Buck by taking one of his horse training clinics, and realized how much better his method was than the way she had been doing things.
Meehl notes: "'A horse can feel a fly land on his butt in a rainstorm.' And of course that's true. Once you get a dialogue going with a horse, you don't need that pressure. It's an enlightening way to ride, and it's basically common sense."