Personally I am very fond of Mark Rashid;  you might wish to look at www.markrashid.com

and also www.gaitsofgold.com  for gaited horses.............

I have had the opportunity to meet and attend clinics with a number of these trainers. There are a some who I wouldn't spend my money to buy their products. Others that I would.  I would suggest that you rent a few of the tapes/DVD's and see which ones you prefer to listen to.  I'm sure I can learn something from all of them.

I've attended day long or weekend clinics by Ray Hunt, Pat Parelli, and Clinton Anderson. I spent a week with Richard Shrake.  I've seen a number of others in 1 hour demos at Horse expos. And I've watched videos and TV programs from a lot of others. Some of these clinicians are tremendous marketing machines and I felt like I was in a paid advertising session for the day. Their goal for the day was to sell me something. Others I felt were very interested in helping me learn what I wanted to learn.

The 4 day clinic I had with Richard Shake was one of the most productive I've attended. His clinics don't have spectators, are limited to 6-8 active participants, and other than 1/2 hour at the very end, there was no discussion about other products you could buy from him. It's been 12 maybe 15 years since I attended that clinic, I bumped into Richard this week at Horse Expo and he still remembered my name and a lot about the horses I was working with.

My point being, each of these trainers have their own skill set. If their skills match what you are trying to learn at this point in your learning curve, and if their teaching methods are compatible with the way you learn,  then they may be worth your time and money. Some of the videos seem very home made to me. Wind noise, trucks driving by, lots of distractions. Some are very well made. Rent a few, I know around here there are a couple of  places that have very good selections of videos to rent. For $1.00 or $2.00 a day I can rent a tape/DVD and watch it. Most of these trainers are on RFD-TV or HorseTV. Watch one or two of their programs. If you can learn from their personality and teaching style. Then I suggest they are worth the money to buy their product.

Each of them have strong and week points. Depending on where you are in your learning. Some of these programs bore me and I feel they are talking way to basic. But 15 years ago I may have sucked up like a sponge. Where as some of the trainers I enjoy today would have overwhelmed me at the time.

Hi Painted Horse,  thanks for replying to my question.  It sounds like with all you've learned from so many trainers, you could be giving clinics yourself!  I am familiar with the trainers/clinicians on RFD-TV.  I have also seen John/Josh Lyons and Clinton Anderson at Equine Affair in Columbus (I've been twice so far).  I am surprised to hear how much you appreciated Richard Shrake, and I'm impressed that he remembers you after so many years.  His TV show was ok, but maybe a bit boring when I saw it.

One trainer nobody has mentioned is the lady mule trainer.  I can't think of her name, but I like her too. 

I am less familiar with CCox, but playing catch-up.  I just want something here in my home to refer to as I go along.  I'd really like a workbook, or pocket cards like Parelli/Reis offer with their training packages.  However, I am not up to spending enough to purchase either one at this time.  If as time goes by I do more training than currently expected, then I might consider it.

My couzin (the one who likes CCox best) has been training semi-professionally for awhile.  I wonder what he would charge . . . .??  Actually, I'm thinking it would be fun to spend a day or two with him (down state Michigan) workiing together and getting a "free" clinic! 

Elaine

Each trainer focuses on different things. So you need to decide what you want to learn and find a trainer that addresses that subject. Richard Shrake does not have an ON CAMERA personality. And you will never see him get on your horse and show you how it's done. He's a teacher and he expect you to instruct your horse. His style seems to focus on finesse and the world of show horses. But he is very good at his subject.

Other seem to focus on ranch horses, breaking colts, problem horses etc. Find the one that is teaching what you need help with. I was very disappointed in the Ray Hunt clinic I was a spectator at. The day I spent watching Pat Parelli in person was a waste. and yet many friends swear by their videos and training materials. I've yet been able to sit through a program by Dennis Ries. He bores me to death on TV. But he may be a great teacher in person. I've seen a couple of Chris Cox programs, one I enjoyed and one I didn't. Craig Cameron's TV personality is easier for me to watch. Always a big smile and he comes across to me as somebody I'd enjoy sitting down and talking with.

You can't depend on what I or Houndog and anybody else tells you. because we each have opinions that are biased on our previous experiences. Try to find some tapes you can borrow or rent. I thin the Satellite and cable programing is wonderful to expose you to numerous trainers.  Get a feel for the different clinician and decide which ones you like. If they put on a clinic somewhere close by, try to get in as spectator and see them first hand. When you can afford it, buy yourself a present and attend clinic as a rider.  If your cousin will make you a deal,  GO.  There is no substitution for in person learning.