I just got back from seeing this amazing documentary on Buck Brannaman. He's kind of, well not just kind of, he IS the horse whisperer. He shows horsemen and horsewomen a kinder, gentler way of handling these huge creatures who are more sensitive than humans. (Horses very easily pick up on human fear and insecurities.) He says that your horse is a reflection of your soul. If that is true about horses, how true is that for other creatures and humans we are around?
As an educator, I saw so much wisdom in how he trains and starts colts. As a First Grade teacher, I teach children how to read as well as the basics of math and science. I have to build confidence and at times push these young, impressionable souls to do something they sometimes don't think they can do. Just like Buck shows clinic goers how to build trust in their horses in a kind, gentle way, I too, must build trust and confidence in my students so they KNOW they can do what I'm asking and expecting of them. In the documentary, Buck says that parents must be parents first before they can be their child's friend. This builds a TRUE self confidence that will take any child to the moon and beyond. Show your child, students, horse, that you first believe in them, even when failure happens, and soon that failure will become success. Allowing a horse (or child) to stop after failure and not push on creates insecurities and self doubt. When pushing on and continuing to try to and succeed, how much more proud are we of ourselves after? This film has renewed my passion for teaching and showing the young students that come to my classroom that I care about them and will do everything I can to help them succeed and that I'll be there and support them when they fail, but will help pick them back up and support them to try again.
One of these days, I'd love to just go be an observer at a Buck clinic to see what other tidbits of wisdom I can pick up and apply to teaching my students.
Thank you Mr. Brannaman. Thank you!
