Anyone heard of Frank Bell?

Has anyone heard of the trainer Frank Bell? I have the chance to go to a clinic this weekend and wondered if anyone had any experience with his system? If so what did you think? Worth taking the time to check out?

I've never heard of him before. But if you can afford it and you have the time, it might be a good idea to go and see

It's a different philosophy to hear but I personally don't buy into the little bit I've read about him, though I haven't heard the full 7 steps.

Kristy - out of interest what bit don't you buy into?

I'll just copy some bits and pieces from http://www.horsewhisperer.com/index.html

"Proper training lowers the activation level of the horse's instinctual behaviors. When a horse is properly trained, the incidence of dangerous instinctive behavior is negligible. A sudden surprise to the horse might prompt a reaction, but it will be moderate and very short-term."
I don't even want to go into this, too much to say. But, basically I disagree with suggestion of altering innate characteristics of an animal.

"In minutes, he will have previously unmanageable horses performing perfectly, and doing so willingly and with enthusiasm."
(This to me is simply foolish to say that every horse will work willingly and with perfection each time. Horses are different individuals and one training method will NOT guarantee perfection for each horse each time IMO.) This just seems like a selling point, which I do not like.

"Soon the horse is giving to Bell exactly what is wanted, and doing so out of a willingness to please. The word "love" would not be inappropriate here."
The love suggestion irritates me. Yes, it is romantic (as in romanticism!) that the horse would willingly abide by the owner because of love and friendship, but this I find untrue. It's submission and instinct to have a leader to follow.

"Bell explores the animal using his remarkable search touching. Soon the horse is caught up in the enjoyment of the experience. The tension vanishes and the bonding begins. Through touch, Bell communicates trust and love, and every moment is spent reinforcing these feelings between horse and trainer."
This is playing the role of romanticism IMO && is also very unrealistic to presume the horses tension will disappear suddenly. Not realistic at all.

Sounds like a Tom Dorrance wannabe && someone eager for cash. =/

Kristy,
I agree with the love thing. I think that is done as a way of relating to the people as our society is so desperate for it. Certainly he seems to be rather anthropomorphic. The minutes thing does seem silly. I would agree though that in a lot of horses over time with training they will learn to loose their flight instinct. Having trained a mustang I have seen this first hand. But as you say I tihnk that its their looking for a leaser that probably makes them less flighty, I.e. If they have one and learn you are one they will not flee. He did apparently work with Buck Brannahan (spelling) and also with Linda Tellington Jones (hence the touch stuff). I have a friend who worked with Dorrance in Texas I think and and I've seen others and there is always a common thread between all these people.

I haven't read any of his stuff, but just what all of you have highlight it sounds to me like a bunch of malarkey oh I mean marketing gimmick.

Horses are instinctual and can't communicate LOVE. In fact I bet if you asked a horse about love they wouldn't have anything to say about it. They just aren’t talkin’!

Horses do what they have to do to survive in fact all animals do what they have to do to survive. Unfortunately or fortunately they have no brain cells to reason unlike the human being. We have the brain cells to reason and this is why we are superior to horses, dogs, cats, and birds and so fourth.

You are probably right. Personally after many years in school I'm not so convinced we are superior to dogs and cats and horses. Certainly we are better at algebra but there are many areas of life I feel that animals are light years ahead of us. I learn lessons from my animals everyday. The LOVE gimmick is probably exactly that to reach out to our current society as we are conditioned to believe we need romantic love. Animals may not know our definition of love but I have seen animals love and I have felt animals love me. It is not romantic love but it is love.