Val Littfin and her horse Bella traveled over 1,000 miles to take part in one month of special training provided by Buck Brannaman’s daughter, Reata, at the famous Houlihan Ranch located in Montanna. Buck is caled the “Horse Whisperer” and is renowned for his special ability to train horses.
Val Littfin has owned, trained, and ridden horses for most of her life. She loves horses, but a recent month spent at a Montana camp was the cherry on top of the sundae. She received equine instruction from the daughter of a legend. It was a great month, she said.
“Traveling solo over 1,000 miles towing a horse trailer stretched my comfort zone, however knowing that the next 30 days were going to be working with and learning from Reata Brannaman, Buck Brannaman’s daughter, made it worthwhile,” said Val.
Who is Buck Brannaman?
Buck Brannaman was abused as a child, living with a brother in foster homes for several years. He started training horses at the age of 12, getting bit, kicked, thrown off, trying to keep himself from getting killed. After a time, he started to view things from the horse’s perspective. He said abused horses were like abused children; they trusted no one and expected the worst. Using patience, compassion, leadership, and lots of love, Brannaman came up with a unique way to train horses. Nicholas Evans, who wrote the “Horse Whisperer,” said Brannaman was the inspiration for his lead character, Tom Booker.
The fall 2019 horse training Internship class, from L-R: Val Littfin (Minnesota), Reata Brannaman, Madeline Fedora (British Columbia), Katrina Matz (Connecticut), Sierra Schmuck (Saskatchewan), and Sydney Harrison (Saskatchewan). Photo courtesy of Nicole Poyo
Just the process of gaining acceptance to the training center was rigorous. Out of 400 requests for applications and 250 submittals and videos, Val said, “I was one of five individuals selected to be an intern/ apprentice at Brannaman’s Houlihan Ranch.”
Val said Buck wasn’t available to teach because he was on the road giving clinics, but Reata was available.
“Reata, who received her first pony at five years of age, has been riding and learning from her father for a couple of decades. Who better to learn from than a daughter who has intensive one-on-one teaching from one of the most recognized names in horsemanship?” quipped Val.
“I had just completed a two-month internship with a trainer who mentored with Buck. I’ve been studying and learning this style of horsemanship for a few years. So I had a good foundation of the knowledge, feel, and timing going into the Houlihan Ranch Internship. My goal for the 30 days was to build on and improve my skills as well as experience life on a working ranch,” said Val.
Days at the horse arena began at 7:30 a.m. with a two-hour lunch. The training ended between 5 and 7 p.m. But who was getting trained? Val was asked.
“The human is really the one being trained as they work with the horse. It sounds fairly simple, and it is, however, the execution of the sequence requires full concentration from the human.
“This style of horsemanship encourages the horse to think through a situation and let it make the right choice. It encourages a horse to trust a human to be dependable, fair, and a place of comfort and peace.
“This style of horsemanship requires the handler to be fully present in the situation, always aware of what the horse is telling. The foundation is that a horse seeks comfort and peace. So when asking the horse to do something, we give the horse a ‘good deal.’ If the horse doesn’t respond, the pressure is increased to get the response. The handler has to recognize the smallest of tries and release immediately following that try. The cycle would be to ask, add pressure as needed, recognize the attempt, release the pressure, and allow the horses to return to a place of peace and comfort. Then repeat.”
The first week Val and her classmates, Madeline Fedora (British Columbia), Katrina Matz (Connecticut), Sierra Schmuck (Saskatchewan), and Sydney Harrison (Saskatchewan), had their skills and abilities evaluated by Reata as she covered the groundwork that would take place.
“Our main classroom was a huge indoor arena with mirrors on two sides. We received daily-individualized assignments and group homework. As Reata’s confidence in our skills and abilities grew, we rode out in the Big Horn Mountain foothills, moved herds of horses, and roped cattle.
“We had field trips to rodeos, horse sales, watching horse hair metates being made, watching lariat ropes being made, visiting tack stores, and more,” she said.
But in between field trips and training, there was work to do, said Val.
“A typical day at Houlihan Ranch started with feeding horses and cleaning pens and ended the same way. What happened in between those bookends was the same and yet wildly different.
“The first week focused heavily on groundwork. There were ranch chores such as mending fencing, doctoring injured animals, checking on the horses in outlying pastures. Each of us had focus areas on tasks. We took the time we needed on that task until the horse gained knowledge and comfort. Sometimes it was on the ground and sometimes in the saddle. The five of us were able to assist other interns as needed. We had one day off each week and another freelance day where the five of us would work without an overview from Reata.”
Val’s love of horses began at an early age.
“My grandfather gave me my first pony when I was seven. Growing up on a farm with the ponies gave me freedom. As with many riders, I was self-taught, watching Westerns, falling off and getting back on. My grandfather had the best of intentions, and now almost 50 years later, I am still reshaping horse handling habits I learned as a kid.
“Horses have been a passion of mine since my father lifted five-year-old me on the back of a big white horse. My husband and I moved to Grand Marais 18 years ago, and we were in a place where I could once again enjoy my passion. Trail riding in Cook County is awesome. My Cook County horses showed me that even though I was a longtime rider, there was a lot I did not know. Thus my quest to become a better horsewoman began. The horses ended up being on the sidelines for the last seven years while I worked for Minnesota Power at the Taconite Harbor and Boswell power plants. I was laid off in January of this year and dove heart and soul back into horsemanship.
“This summer has been a fantastic growing and learning time. And with this style of horsemanship, the more you learn, the more you understand how little you know. I’m looking forward to growing my horsemanship in the years to come and to help those who seek a clear, thoughtful way to work with their horses.
“One of my goals is to share my knowledge and help the horse owners and horses in Cook County. Sometimes just showing a slightly different way to do a common task can make a huge difference to the horse and rider. As I’ve studied and grown in this style of horsemanship, I’ve learned first hand how clarity and comfort can enhance the relationship between horse and rider.”
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