i am going to a clinton anderson walkabout tour in seattle this weekend with some girlfriends.  i don't know much about him, but, the show looks good.  2 8 hr days of all horses.  looks like a real show plus i might learn something about training my horse.

my one friend just loves him.  she is the one that organized the tour.  she has joined his no worries club and has watched all the videos she can.  she says she'll probably buy the fundamentals dvd set ($399!!)--plus he's hot (says her, not  me.  on first look though, he is rather cute)

i couldn't help but notice that the prices of his products are ridiculous.  there is a rope halter and lead on sale for $64.99.  i am pretty sure it is exactly like the one i bought at buckerfields for $14.99.

so, i am interested.  what do you all think of clinton anderson?  and are any of you washingtonians going to the walkabout tour?

i know we'll have fun.  a carload of horse crazy gals hittin' the highway.  watch out usa, here we come!!!

I'm not too impressed by the NH trainers that commercialize their techniques to the extent that he and Pat Parelli do. And yes, his "official gear" is ridiculously expensive. 

I like CA - when he was just starting out and not so commercialized he was a hoot to be around. As usual, common sense is the theme of horse training with NH so just be prepared to be motivated and inspired!! I've never really seen his show on RFDTV or followed his site, just seen him at Ride the West  - I'm a Spokanite ;) First impression for me was good.

Have fun and enjoy your trip!!!

I like to go and learn things from as many trainers as I can.  Sometimes people get into the “trainer guru” mentality and use only one trainers technique from start to finish (like your friend possibly) and I think that it becomes a hinderance.  Not all horses are the same (obviously) and while some horses might need a whole bunch of lunging (these do well in CA’s program) but others will become anxious and over-stressed by it.  Some horses will come unglued if you whack them with a stick or chase them around all day while other horses need it!  The problem is that people follow these training methods like a recipe and horse training is nothing like cooking.  You can’t just follow a recipe line for line with a horse.  The trainer has to be able to read the horse and adjust a training program for him/her that is a good fit.

Have fun, keep an open mind and don't spend all of your money!   Whether you like his "techniques" or not you'll have a good time watching. 

I have 2 cowboys that I like.  Buck Branaman and Chris Cox.  All the rest...not so much.  Clinton has a great sense of humor but I can't believe the girls think he's cute   It must be the accent!

haha, Australian cowboy who loooves horses and is always smiling? How could you possibly go wrong?! I think you'll have a wonderful time and learn a lot.  Sometimes these guys let their "fame" go to their heads, lol, the cowboy here I used to work with got a show and now he is god's gift to horse training.  I mean, he did help a lot with my trainer's horse, but he and my horse are, shall we say, not on speaking terms.  Its like that with anything, just like Madel said, some of his stuff is probably really useful, and some horses may not respond as well.  Its always great to learn, especially with your horse girlfriends!!  From what I have heard, he is quite good, I have a book of his on starting young horses that I have flipped through.

 I saw him on tour a few years ago (with 2 other forummers!). It was more than just the 2 full days - there was a shorter presentation on the Friday evening before it started, too (just a bit of colt starting in the round pen, and a much smaller audience). You may want to find out if this tour is doing that as well.

I'm sort of in the middle about him. He's better than Parelli, but he has let an awful lot go to his head. The best thing I heard him say was that none of this is new - he learned things from a variety of others and just picked what works for him and his horses. He's cuter than Parelli, too, but that's not saying much, lol. Yet somehow an awful lot of girls swoon.

Don't buy stuff while you are there. Except maybe a t-shirt or other souvenier. I got a t-shirt (and had it signed), and during the Trivia on the second day I won a water bottle. Just about everything for sale there is available cheaper somehwere else. Just take notes if you want to try something.

Just have a fun horsey weekend.

 Yes, definitely don't buy his stuff, it's silly.  The basics are good, root around for the principles behind the marketing.  I'm not a big fan of ANY of the commercialized guys, PP and CA are both rough on a horse for no good reason, and that's coming from someone who is pretty practical and doesn't shy away from a well-timed smack.  But there is still good information there -- I'll be the first to say that I learned a LOT of great stuff at a Parelli clinic I went to years ago (not done by PP), it's just about sifting out the good from the silly and keeping what is useful and works for you.

Solaris:

I'm not a big fan of ANY of the commercialized guys, PP and CA are both rough on a horse for no good reason,

funny you mention that.  one of things my friend said is that ca isn't all soft like parelli.  that he'll give a horse discipline if he needs it.  i said, parelli isn't that big a softy.  i have seen clips on youtube where parelli was tough on a horse and upset many people in the audience.  she was surprised.

and it's funny you point out the expensive patience pole.  i remember someone, maybe florida horseman, did a post about that.  i didn't realize it was this guy.  LOL.

but, yeah, crazy prices for alot of stuff.  though i went through the online store and saw some small items that were reasonably priced, so, i might actually buy a couple wee things.

i am going to try to get to a tack and feed store in the kent area if i can.  i do need some more grain and i always like to browse.  there's a place called reber ranch that looks worth a peek.

i am taking the big F350 though, just in case i find something really good to buy (joke). 

actually,  i suggested taking it just cuz it's really nice and i thought us girls should go in style..  we were going in my friends wee tiny car (cheap on gas), but, there's 4 of us and i thought it would be tight with 4 people and luggage.  i mean what if i do want to buy a few things?  not much more than a paperback could be added in this tiny hatchback i don't think.

but, to be fair, i did have to say i would pay for the difference in gas.  quite a difference to be sure.  but, i'm spoiled.  i'm used to having lots of room when we go for a road trip.  and a/c and cd player and satellite radio and seats that heat (it's cold and rainy today) and a beeper when i back up and god knows what else.  it's my dh's truck.  i just have a wee car too.

anyway, i have been working my butt off. paperwork.  i'm sure my brain is starting to shutdown. i proofread a $380 invoice the other day and it was sent back today to double check. i had approved and forwarded it for $3.80...LOL.  so glad they were honest and caught that. obviously,  i need a weekend totally away big time!

so, horse crazy girls gone wild!!!  here we go

You will have to let me know how you like it!! He will be in Columbus, Ohio Aug 27th and 28th and I really want to go see him. Ive watched him on RFDTV and recorded a couple of his shows off there. Hopefully you girls have lots of fun!!

 

YAY! See ya there Gailforce, the Washingtonian Cowgal's gonna be there too! Look for the cowgirl with the Aussie hat, Purple Cowgirl shirt, Giant Beltbuckle and a ridiculous grin. (Also who might steal Clinton's horse Diez. Boy howdy that horse looks like one of the one's I ride!) Love to meet you!

 

-Giant Cheeseball

Spokane is AWESOME! Home sweet Home. Ever hear of the I Can! Horse Co-op?

 

-Giant Cheeseball

I think I have talked to the Co-op lady when I was selling a horse - she wanted to buy her for two girls and then lessons - but the mare wouldn't have worked for that. I left Spokane in '04 and have only been back briefly for family events. I've been working on living in every state of the union... lol Totally out of the E WA loop!!!  I seriously miss Big R though - great stuff and people. Tractor supply can't come close - although Quality Supply does.

all right here's the review -- tickets are $50 for 2 8 hr days.  GO!  you can''t get a better deal than that.  he does have alot of valuable stuff to say.

he is funny and quick witted.  and you could see a good progession in the horses he worked with.  he is very easy to understand.  the segments and the days ran over.  he obviously has a passion for his chosen job.  he is not phony in that way.

 i am not in love, but, maybe a bit of infatuation--a funny, cute cowboy, with a full head of hair and a cute aussie accent.  works for me.

the products available for sale -- the signature clinton anderson stuff was expensive (like any other brand name), but the sponsors wares were a great value.

i got a wound spray product for less than half the price it is at tack shops.  same for a syringe wormer.  the books were a good value and i bought one of those.

all in all, clinton anderson did rock and i am so glad i was able to go to the clinic.

--gail

 Thanks for the review, Gailforce.  Sounds like it was a good value for the money and you had a good time.  2 whole 8 hr days huh?  wow!  Not  sure I would have the fortitude for that! lol!