Monty Roberts vs. Buck Brannaman: Contrasting Personalities, Common Goal
Monty Roberts vs. Buck Brannaman: Contrasting Personalities, Common Goal
Monty Roberts and Buck Brannaman are giants in natural horsemanship, yet their books—The Man Who Listens to Horses and The Faraway Horses—reveal two distinct personalities approaching the same goal: building trust with horses. While their philosophies align on empathy and non-violence, their personal styles, backgrounds, and delivery set them apart. Let’s dive into how their unique voices shape their teachings and resonate with different audiences.
Monty Roberts: The Methodical Communicator
Monty Roberts’ The Man Who Listens to Horses reads like a structured memoir, blending storytelling with a clear, systematic approach to horsemanship. His personality shines through as that of a teacher and scientist, methodical and optimistic. Roberts’ writing is polished, almost academic, reflecting his role as a global ambassador for his Join-Up method. He recounts his journey from observing wild mustangs to developing the “Language of Equus,” presenting his techniques with the precision of a blueprint. His tone is warm and encouraging, often addressing readers directly, as if inviting them into his round pen. “I communicate with a horse in what I call the Language of Equus; a silent language of gestures that is discernible, predictable and effective,” he writes.
Roberts’ personality is rooted in a lifelong mission to prove his methods to skeptics. His book details his work with high-profile clients, like training horses for Queen Elizabeth II, which gives his narrative a sense of worldly validation. He comes across as a diplomat, eager to share his discoveries with everyone from backyard riders to royalty. This accessibility makes his book appealing to those who crave a clear, replicable system. However, some readers might find his polished optimism a touch idealized, as he rarely dwells on failure or personal struggle beyond his early clashes with traditional trainers.
Buck Brannaman: The Soulful Storyteller
In contrast, Buck Brannaman’s The Faraway Horses is raw, introspective, and deeply personal. His voice is that of a cowboy poet, weathered by life yet grounded in humility. Brannaman’s writing weaves his horsemanship lessons with his traumatic childhood, marked by abuse from his father, which gives his book a gritty emotional depth. He doesn’t shy away from his vulnerabilities, writing, “Abused horses are like abused children”, drawing parallels between his own healing and his work with troubled horses. This rawness makes his narrative compelling for readers who connect with stories of resilience.
Brannaman’s personality is less about teaching a specific method and more about sharing a way of life. His clinics, as described in the book, are less structured than Roberts’, focusing on adapting to each horse and rider’s needs. His teaching style can be direct, even sharp, as seen in anecdotes where he calls out riders for mishandling their horses. Yet, his toughness is tempered by profound empathy, especially for the horse. For Brannaman, horsemanship is a philosophy, not just a technique, and his book reflects this through vivid stories rather than step-by-step guides. Readers drawn to authenticity and emotional depth may gravitate toward Brannaman’s rugged charm over Roberts’ polished precision.
Contrasting Styles, Complementary Impact
The differences in their personalities shape how they connect with readers and riders. Roberts’ methodical approach appeals to those who want a clear framework, like his Join-Up technique, which he’s refined into a teachable system through his Monty Roberts International Learning Center. His optimism and global outreach make him a bridge between traditional equestrian worlds and natural horsemanship. Brannaman, however, resonates with those who value instinct and adaptability. His clinics, as detailed in The Faraway Horses, are more fluid, focusing on reading the horse in the moment and helping riders confront their own shortcomings. His Vaquero-inspired style, rooted in the traditions of Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance, feels timeless yet less formalized.
Their backgrounds also highlight their differences. Roberts grew up in California’s equestrian scene, competing in rodeos and studying equine behavior, which gave him a structured foundation. Brannaman, raised in Montana and Idaho, learned through hard knocks, from rope tricks to surviving abuse, which infuses his work with a raw, survivalist edge. These contrasting paths—Roberts as the innovator, Brannaman as the survivor—make their books complementary reads. Roberts offers a roadmap; Brannaman offers a journey.
Which Voice Speaks to You?
Both The Man Who Listens to Horses and The Faraway Horses champion the same goal: a compassionate partnership with horses. Yet, their authors’ personalities create distinct experiences. If you’re a rider seeking a clear, systematic approach with a positive tone, Roberts’ book will feel like a masterclass. If you’re drawn to raw storytelling and a philosophy that intertwines life lessons with horsemanship, Brannaman’s memoir will hit home. Together, their voices remind us that there’s no one-size-fits-all in horsemanship—just a shared commitment to understanding the horse. Pick up both books, and let their unique perspectives inspire your own journey with horses.
