Posted 2008-06-11 11:06 AM (#85521) Subject: Dennis the Horse Whisperer from Nebraska
Regular
Posts: 63 Location: Missouri
Hi,
I'm just trying to collect information about a horse whisperer named Dennis Bouse. I live in Des Moines in an equestrian estate and a trainer has temporarily moved in and plans to film a horse training video for PBS. I've been told he's a horse whisperer. Has anyone ever heard of him? There sure seems to be alot of horse whisperers these days...Not sure if I know what it means to be a horse whisperer. Thanks for your help. Natalee
Posted 2008-06-11 3:19 PM (#85539 - in reply to #85521) Subject: RE: Dennis the Horse Whisperer from Nebraska
Veteran
Posts: 294 Location: Fort Worth, Tx
I'd be suspicious of anyone that labels themself a "horse whisperer". If you are a good trainer, then just call yourself a trainer and let your work speak for itself.
Posted 2008-06-11 8:41 PM (#85550 - in reply to #85521) Subject: RE: Dennis the Horse Whisperer from Nebraska
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368 Location: Georgia
I whisper but my horse just doesn't listen. haha I read that somewhere. I also have a sign for my horse that states: "My name is Whoa Damnit..what's yours?"
Posted 2008-06-12 10:10 AM (#85575 - in reply to #85521) Subject: RE: Dennis the Horse Whisperer from Nebraska
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
Ha. His name is Dennis Brouse, he briefly had a show on RFDTV. We thought he was and IDIOT, NOT a horse whisperer at all! He gave treats every move the horse made and showed NO progress... it was a laugh festival for a half an hour show. Then, he was (thankfully) gone,baby,gone...
Posted 2008-06-12 6:34 PM (#85600 - in reply to #85521) Subject: RE: Dennis the Horse Whisperer from Nebraska
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
None of these clinicians are doing anything different but each needs something to set themselves apart of the crowd be it carrot sticks or "whispering" whatever the heck that is. I have known friends that have followed a guru for years and I haven't seen much of an imporvement in their horsemanship skills or their horses but I have noticed they accumulate quite a bit of stuff that particualr dude sells. Its a racket. I have watched some on tV and been to a few, I take the good stuff, learn a bit of information but otherwise its a crock.
Posted 2008-06-13 8:03 AM (#85622 - in reply to #85521) Subject: RE: Dennis the Horse Whisperer from Nebraska
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
I paid good money to spend a week with a sawed off cockey more ego then a bantam rooster clinictican about 12 years ago.Worked my fanny off and paid him to do so.Some of the best money I ever spent when ot comes to horses.Man could make them tick! He had runaways,flipper overs,unsocial studs,colts to start etc.They ALL respected him in short order.He could work them from the ground or on horseback and that was a site to watch.He walked in a round pen with 6 or 7 in it and smooch they ALL put their eyes on him and licked lips.Problem was he got the worst of the worst for the most part and he got them on the right path.But the OWNERS had no clue and most would revert back to old habits unless the OWNERS knew how to make them tick.Then folks would say "well HE didn't fix anything" He could do just about ANYTHING with a horse he wanted too in minutes,hours and days that others couldn't do in weeks,months,or NEVER.A week with him just was enough to give insight into his world and way of thinking horse.He made it look easy.His gurus were Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt.He's back around these parts again but I have not seen him in years and don't hear much about him.Reining trainer I'm kinda using right now is cut from the same cloth but not as sharp if thats the right word.I just sold him a 2 y.o. stud colt that due to my illness had not been handled much in the past year.He spent 20 minutes or so fooling with him,driving him between him and the two horse slant trailer he was taking him home in.Then he asked him a couple of times to load by driving hiim from the rear and then bingo in he went.20 or 30 minutes tops and colt was driving,backing and loaded with no fuss or muss.He LIKED that colt.I retained some breedings to him just in case he makes a top reiner one day.
Posted 2008-06-15 1:16 PM (#85689 - in reply to #85521) Subject: RE: Dennis the Horse Whisperer from Nebraska
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
I agree that attending clinicians, buying videos etc are good to pick things out that work for you. Each situation will require a different approach than one that is being displayed/televised.
I also engage the help of local trainers to provide hands on training. I never stop learning when it comes to horses. I am taking Dressage lessons with my 5-year-old MFT. I get some interesting looks from other barn folks watching when asked to "trot". I've done Barrel Racing in my youth to western pleasure in my young adult years, but having the ability to learn how to train my own horse is fantastic. It is easier to ride one already trained, but I get great satisfaction out of watching my horse learn and grow. And it is amazing how much smarter she gets when I give her the appropriate que/relief at the right moment.
Even though I use her for trail riding with a few small shows thrown in, taking lessons has greatly improved our relationship and trust in each other.
Posted 2008-06-15 4:43 PM (#85706 - in reply to #85521) Subject: RE: Dennis the Horse Whisperer from Nebraska
Veteran
Posts: 192 Location: Hutto, TX
Oh, OK, I might have gotten that in time! I do dressage on everything I have from ponies to quarter horses to DWB (hahaha - Dutch Warmblood, just so nobody asks!), and one of my boarders rides a Belgian Draft!
Posted 2008-06-15 4:54 PM (#85707 - in reply to #85521) Subject: RE: Dennis the Horse Whisperer from Nebraska
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
The difference here is that dressage is a classical training concept that transens your disclipine. Softening,bending,collection and impulsion from the rear isn't anything that thats new,exotic, or a new "language". You don't need the latest toy to accompish your goal. You don't need to buy into a new "whispers" methods.Most of these dudes ARE using dressage concepts but in order to sell dvd's and tack, they give a new name and package. There isn't a wit of difference except some guys are just better than others at communication.
Dennis the Horse Whisperer from Nebraska
I've done Barrel Racing in my youth to western pleasure in my young adult years, but having the ability to learn how to train my own horse is fantastic. It is easier to ride one already trained, but I get great satisfaction out of watching my horse learn and grow. And it is amazing how much smarter she gets when I give her the appropriate que/relief at the right moment.