Horsemanship

What is Horsemanship?

According to the dictionary, horsemanship is “the riding, training, or management of horses.” In the most basic sense of the word, the dictionary is correct; however, horsemanship is much, much more.

True horsemanship is a precise skill, an art form that involves subtle communication between human and horse. A skillful horseman should know his animal well, both inside and out. He should be able to read the animal’s body language, to understand when the horse is fearful, angry, or confused, and be able to rectify improper behavior humanely.

Another important aspect of horsemanship is trust. This is often a difficult process, due to the horse’s inherent distrust and fear of man. By understanding, patience, and consistency, however, trust can be achieved.

The main objective of horsemanship is to achieve desired results by using balance, hands, legs, and seat gently and effectively. The rider should interfere as little as possible with the horse’s natural movement, while at the same time, encouraging the animal to obey commands. Gentle persuasion, and not force, is the key to proper horsemanship.

Horses have a distinct center of gravity that shifts as the equine moves. The rider should have a secure seat yet be able to shift his weight when needed to complement the horse’s natural movements and to ensure their fluidity.

A rider’s hands should be sensitive and light, moving as the horse’s head moves, as it does with the walk and gallop. The rider’s hands should always maintain contact with the horse’s mouth.

The horseman must use his legs effectively, also. For example, in the trot, posting is employed to reduce bouncing for both the rider and the mount. The legs may also be used to convey cues to the horse through pressure or other subtle signals.

In the last decade, a “new” style of horsemanship, referred to as “natural horsemanship,” has become popular. This philosophy involves methods that appeal to the horse’s natural herd mentality and encourages horsemen to communicate with and relate to their steeds as another horse would. Those who know their horse history, however, understand that there is nothing particularly new about this type of horsemanship. Many successful horsemen throughout history have employed these very methods.

As early as 800 BC, the Scythians of Central Asia understood the importance of the rider’s balance and invented the stirrup. The Sarmatians, another ancient people, rode bareback and used leg cues to guide their mounts. Roman archers often rode without reins, as did many Native Americans, in order to free their hands for using their bows. There is evidence that all these early horsemen used gentle training methods and endeavored to gain the animals’ trust. Of all ancient horsemen, however, Xenophon’s Treatise on Horsemanship suggests that the ancient Greek’s views on horse training are even more similar to those supported by natural horsemanship.

With natural horsemanship, horses are encouraged to bond with their handlers, much as they would bond with another horse, and horses are taught through reward and reinforcement instead of fear and pain. The horse learns to view its handler as a partner and not as an enemy – to work with its trainer instead of against him.

When this type of close bond can be formed between a horse and a human, training possibilities are practically endless. Horse and rider develop a deep respect for one another, and the animal’s natural fear of man dissipates.

Hopefully, the days of the Old West, when many cowboys “broke” horses quickly by relying on somewhat cruel methods and fear tactics, are gone forever. This process was, at the least, inconsistent, and at the worst, dangerous – for both man and beast.

Horses are among the most magnificent creatures on earth. They’re intelligent, sensitive, and dependable when handled properly. True horsemanship methods might take a little more time and effort, but in the end, the rewards will prove their efficacy. A properly handled horse will bring its rider years of satisfaction and enjoyment.