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!"
Managing your Roping Expectations
I get the question "What's the next step, and when am I ready?" a lot when helping people with roping.
To Answer that I have something I call the "10 in a row" guideline.
It has to do with progression. When a roper is comfortable catching 10 in a row easily, on the ground, on foot, then it is time to graduate to the "Speed Trainer".
When a Roper is comfortable roping 10 in a row easily without bumping or balancing on the "Speed Trainer" reins then they can think about horseback at a stand still on the roping dummy 10 in a row.
The next step would be tracking and roping at a slow speed 10 in a row, then a faster speed 10 in a row.
If the roper dallies, then it is incorporating that 10 in a row with dallies, again comfortably, and easily
This would eventually bring us to live cattle in a more controlled environment in an arena.
I have found this to be the best way to build a solid, reliable foundation to Roping. Of course, this brings Quality Horsemanship as the main foundation to good roping,
This 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.
There is also a HUGE step before roping live cattle, and that is tracking cattle in roping position. This should be done easily, happily, and with little input from the rider mainly from the riders legs.
This Tracking step is hard to quantify with my "10 in a row" rule, but I know it when I see it. So should the rider feel it.
As fun, and exciting as live cattle is there are some potential setbacks.
One is live cattle have a mind of their own, no matter how "broke in" they are. The roper has to set up their own opportunities. I can help some horseback, but not near as well pulling a sled, and the opportunities are in shorter duration.
The second is the amount of shots are far less in a given session than on a dummy. A roper spends a lot of time setting up, and tracking a live animal.
Tracking and Roping cattle is an vital, and exciting step to any kind of roping. It does add elements of danger as with any animal. Cattle go where they want to go, and don't stop for you if you are in a bind with you rope and or horse.
These wrecks can happen quickly, and without warning.
So much of what I teach is Roping with Quality Horsemanship Safely!
To Answer that I have something I call the "10 in a row" guideline.
It has to do with progression. When a roper is comfortable catching 10 in a row easily, on the ground, on foot, then it is time to graduate to the "Speed Trainer".
When a Roper is comfortable roping 10 in a row easily without bumping or balancing on the "Speed Trainer" reins then they can think about horseback at a stand still on the roping dummy 10 in a row.
The next step would be tracking and roping at a slow speed 10 in a row, then a faster speed 10 in a row.
If the roper dallies, then it is incorporating that 10 in a row with dallies, again comfortably, and easily
This would eventually bring us to live cattle in a more controlled environment in an arena.
I have found this to be the best way to build a solid, reliable foundation to Roping. Of course, this brings Quality Horsemanship as the main foundation to good roping,
This 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.
There is also a HUGE step before roping live cattle, and that is tracking cattle in roping position. This should be done easily, happily, and with little input from the rider mainly from the riders legs.
This Tracking step is hard to quantify with my "10 in a row" rule, but I know it when I see it. So should the rider feel it.
As fun, and exciting as live cattle is there are some potential setbacks.
One is live cattle have a mind of their own, no matter how "broke in" they are. The roper has to set up their own opportunities. I can help some horseback, but not near as well pulling a sled, and the opportunities are in shorter duration.
The second is the amount of shots are far less in a given session than on a dummy. A roper spends a lot of time setting up, and tracking a live animal.
Tracking and Roping cattle is an vital, and exciting step to any kind of roping. It does add elements of danger as with any animal. Cattle go where they want to go, and don't stop for you if you are in a bind with you rope and or horse.
These wrecks can happen quickly, and without warning.
So much of what I teach is Roping with Quality Horsemanship Safely!
Parts of the Rope Study Guide
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When you come to me for help with your roping study This guide whether you are a seasoned roper, or beginner. This is what I call the parts of the rope. Some people have slightly different terms. This will help sped up the learning process, saving us time, and you money!
For example, If I call out "your lead is to long" you will not have to look at me funny, and stop what we are doing to understand the adjustment. This has happened countless times. Click Image on the left to Enlarge it, or Click Below to Download the file for a better close up. 
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