Horsemanship
Many definitions to that word. When I looked it up I saw definitions like: "Art," "Skill", "Managing Horses".
Britannica said "Good horsemanship requires that a rider control the animal’s direction, gait, and speed with maximum effectiveness and minimum efforts."
I like that one, sounds like "doing less, to get more"
Those words are a good start, but the word "Horsemanship" to me has evolved, and keeps evolving.
I am always learning from the horse, to give back to the horse what I have learned about the horse. Horses help me to try and be a better Human, and a better teacher about horses.
My background is vast with horses. I have done everything from English Drassage and Jumping, to All the Western Showing events & Games (most my horses know a barrel pattern). I Have done every Timed Event in Rodeo, and I have Roped loose Cattle in pastures, and down the paved streets near Main Street New Ulm, MN (true story, you can ask me about it),
I Have been in front of large, roaring crowds on the horse, to quiet snowflakes hitting my hat in pastures alone with my horse & dog. And all of it was the same to the horse. As Long as my horse is Ok with it, my Soul is Fed.
I feel it is one of my life's mission is to help people with horses (or the other way around).
I am always trying to improve with my horses, and be a better teacher and coach.
MANAGING HORSEMANSHIP EXPECTATIONS
Managing expectations is important when working on your art. I did not learn this quickly or easily. In fact, I felt stuck, and lost many times. I remember those days well. This is why, if for nothing else, for the horses' sake, I pour my soul, and energy into helping others. I will use a line from my roping expectations, as it applies to learning anything, the learning process is totally dependent on the individual. How much time, and effort put in at home is the deciding factor. Taking Lessons consistently (at least once a week, or a clinic) can improve the learning curve, and lower the frustrations. Life can be about maintaining momentum, and building good habits in a defined timespan.
Nothing worthwhile comes easy, cheap, or quick (at least, not for me)! I can appreciate the cost involved with Horses. Even though the learning part is probably one the most well invested, less expensive things with horses (tack, gear, feed, boarding, vet., Trucks/trailers, the Horse, getting the wrong horse for you!, etc), I have a money savings package for those that are willing to devout more time into learning and will prepay for lessons (more details here) as acknowledgement that miracles don't happen overnight
Learning Philosophy
I can't really tell you who I learned from, because I really never had one mentor. I did have many situations where I learned what NOT to do, trust me, I Have done it all, and beg for forgiveness for what I done listening to people that did things that never worked for them to begin with (standard in the horse world).
I have remembered what my horse with OK with, what the Horse did not Like.
I have taken out the garbage that has not worked for me, never made sense to the horse or myself, and continue to study from the ideas, art, and the people I think are on to something special. I wont' name any names, because I don't want it to appear that I have any ordaining from these people, they probably don't even know me.
I have taken what I have learned the hard way, and with experience, and study continue to hone my skills as a teacher and coach for Horsemanship & Roping and made this my Own.
No matter what you want to do with a horse, be it trails, roping, or dancing the "cha-cha", it is really all the same thing, and that is "Quality Horsemanship" Getting to the feet is a good start, something everyone with Horses needs.
TOOLS
Some of My tools are a halter, horsemanship flag (to help a horse move with life, and also not be bothered by things that sound strange, and move funny). A lot can be done in a good quality snaffle bit in the beginning, and move onto a one handed western bit to Rope if needed. If not, that is OK too. I like the "Mecate" set up, and I would love to show you why everything on it has a meaning. But, if you like the split rein approach, that works fine too.
I do not care for Tiedowns, and any other crutch, or gimmick that has been marketed as "helping the horse", when it actually hurts them, and stifles any communication. I used them for years, and then I finally went with a different approach. Some believe using tiedowns is necessary for balance during fast athletic maneuvers, but I've found other approaches to be more effective. If this were true horses running in the pasture loose would be falling down, all out of balance everywhere! Actually the one out of balance is the rider, and uses the reins to keep from falling on their heads!
I like to think of myself way beyond just a "roper". I am a man, that as a boy just simply loved horses. I had to get around them as much as possible. If your journey does not take you near a rope and or cattle, that is ok too. I am a trail rider on the roads and pastures, until I get to the cattle for whatever the task is at hand. My experience with Western, and English has taught me that it doesn't matter what kind of hat/helmet you put on your head, or what kind of saddle (as long as it is a good quality that FITS the Horse and the rider) It is all about the Universal Language of "Horsemanship!"
Britannica said "Good horsemanship requires that a rider control the animal’s direction, gait, and speed with maximum effectiveness and minimum efforts."
I like that one, sounds like "doing less, to get more"
Those words are a good start, but the word "Horsemanship" to me has evolved, and keeps evolving.
I am always learning from the horse, to give back to the horse what I have learned about the horse. Horses help me to try and be a better Human, and a better teacher about horses.
My background is vast with horses. I have done everything from English Drassage and Jumping, to All the Western Showing events & Games (most my horses know a barrel pattern). I Have done every Timed Event in Rodeo, and I have Roped loose Cattle in pastures, and down the paved streets near Main Street New Ulm, MN (true story, you can ask me about it),
I Have been in front of large, roaring crowds on the horse, to quiet snowflakes hitting my hat in pastures alone with my horse & dog. And all of it was the same to the horse. As Long as my horse is Ok with it, my Soul is Fed.
I feel it is one of my life's mission is to help people with horses (or the other way around).
I am always trying to improve with my horses, and be a better teacher and coach.
MANAGING HORSEMANSHIP EXPECTATIONS
Managing expectations is important when working on your art. I did not learn this quickly or easily. In fact, I felt stuck, and lost many times. I remember those days well. This is why, if for nothing else, for the horses' sake, I pour my soul, and energy into helping others. I will use a line from my roping expectations, as it applies to learning anything, the learning process is totally dependent on the individual. How much time, and effort put in at home is the deciding factor. Taking Lessons consistently (at least once a week, or a clinic) can improve the learning curve, and lower the frustrations. Life can be about maintaining momentum, and building good habits in a defined timespan.
Nothing worthwhile comes easy, cheap, or quick (at least, not for me)! I can appreciate the cost involved with Horses. Even though the learning part is probably one the most well invested, less expensive things with horses (tack, gear, feed, boarding, vet., Trucks/trailers, the Horse, getting the wrong horse for you!, etc), I have a money savings package for those that are willing to devout more time into learning and will prepay for lessons (more details here) as acknowledgement that miracles don't happen overnight
Learning Philosophy
I can't really tell you who I learned from, because I really never had one mentor. I did have many situations where I learned what NOT to do, trust me, I Have done it all, and beg for forgiveness for what I done listening to people that did things that never worked for them to begin with (standard in the horse world).
I have remembered what my horse with OK with, what the Horse did not Like.
I have taken out the garbage that has not worked for me, never made sense to the horse or myself, and continue to study from the ideas, art, and the people I think are on to something special. I wont' name any names, because I don't want it to appear that I have any ordaining from these people, they probably don't even know me.
I have taken what I have learned the hard way, and with experience, and study continue to hone my skills as a teacher and coach for Horsemanship & Roping and made this my Own.
No matter what you want to do with a horse, be it trails, roping, or dancing the "cha-cha", it is really all the same thing, and that is "Quality Horsemanship" Getting to the feet is a good start, something everyone with Horses needs.
TOOLS
Some of My tools are a halter, horsemanship flag (to help a horse move with life, and also not be bothered by things that sound strange, and move funny). A lot can be done in a good quality snaffle bit in the beginning, and move onto a one handed western bit to Rope if needed. If not, that is OK too. I like the "Mecate" set up, and I would love to show you why everything on it has a meaning. But, if you like the split rein approach, that works fine too.
I do not care for Tiedowns, and any other crutch, or gimmick that has been marketed as "helping the horse", when it actually hurts them, and stifles any communication. I used them for years, and then I finally went with a different approach. Some believe using tiedowns is necessary for balance during fast athletic maneuvers, but I've found other approaches to be more effective. If this were true horses running in the pasture loose would be falling down, all out of balance everywhere! Actually the one out of balance is the rider, and uses the reins to keep from falling on their heads!
I like to think of myself way beyond just a "roper". I am a man, that as a boy just simply loved horses. I had to get around them as much as possible. If your journey does not take you near a rope and or cattle, that is ok too. I am a trail rider on the roads and pastures, until I get to the cattle for whatever the task is at hand. My experience with Western, and English has taught me that it doesn't matter what kind of hat/helmet you put on your head, or what kind of saddle (as long as it is a good quality that FITS the Horse and the rider) It is all about the Universal Language of "Horsemanship!"