Downunder Horsemanship

I like CA, he gives it pretty simple and straight. I watch others as well. I tried watching Parelli but they kind of put me to sleep, and if I'm falling asleep, then I'm not learning anything. I've watched Julie Goodnight and I like her as well.

Personally, I like CA. He puts things very clearly and is funny while doing it. I bought his book "Gaining Respect and Control" and it has helped me a lot. I would not buy his "tools" as you can find them elsewhere for a lot cheaper!

Thank You so much to all of you for your imput. It has helped me out alot and is very usefull!!

Current CA is so full of advertisements and plugs for his products.. However.. If you join NWC, the forum gives you access to a great library of his earlier work on RFDTV.. At least it did when I was a member. There's episode after episode where he says that fancy gear isn't necessary or that "instead of using a stick and string, you can just twirl the end of the lead." You can download them and save them to your own computer. Its amazing how many people are obsessed with following a trainer like that to the word. Advertising sure is effective.

I think his methods are all right. The constant repetition sure gets things glued into my head and his manner of presenting the information works for me. His current work though, I just can't watch it.. What he's doing is not some awesome training revolution. He just makes the info accessible and understandable.

What I like about CA is that he's easy to understand and follow. However his methods may or may not work (like with any other trainer). I did find his approach to be great for the pushy horse with no respect, however not as great for the sensitive easy to scare horse.

^^^ I agree. I think he does that because by the time people decide they need help or want to use his method, their horse is to that point...pushy and obnoxious. And if your horse is not that way you really have dial it down. CA is very loud with his body language I have noticed. And I don't know if he is just that way or if he over exaggerates to teach what he is doing so people can grasp it.

I do like CA, I have a couple of his books and have watched a bunch of his TV episodes. His methods have helped me with a lot of things. That said, I'm not a rabid follower of exclusively him, or anyone else. I like other trainers, from some of the other big names, to the guy down the road. I think it is really important to have an open mind with training. (well, with EVERYTHING, really...) I like to observe anyone that I can and then I'll take bits and pieces and see how their ideas work with my horses. I once audited a clinic held by a trainer I'd never heard of, and picked up some great ideas. I would like to audit more and more clinics, as time allows. We owe it to our horses - and to ourselves - to learn, learn, learn!