Horsemanship and Horsemastery

[Mark Choate]

Hello all,

Well, the snow has finally melted here in middle Tennessee and while it is very muddy, I went out for some good rides both yesterday and today. While doing so, I got to thinking about how much time we spend on the Cav forum discussing our impression, clothing, tack, weapons, etc.(which is good) and how little time we discuss the “thing” that sets our branch apart from everyone else and that is the 1,100 lb. creature under our saddle. When I say this, I don't mean the breeds, or colors, or types but I mean the mastering of our horses. Nothing will negate a fine impression faster than not being solid in the handling of your mount. For most of the men of the 19th century, equestrian expertise was as natural as using the telephone or driving a car for us today and to commit anything less than our best to improving our abilities, in this regard, is an injustice to what we try to portray.

With that said, and considering the wealth of experience and horsemanship represented by those reading this forum, I would like to ask that you post things that you do to stay at the top of your game with regards to horsemanship and horsemastery. Prior to posting this, I did a search of the word “Horsemanship” and while it is mentioned frequently, it was more about a book on the subject or a breed, etc and not really a good discussion. I have a two-pronged reason for asking for this. One is that both Ken and I get lots of calls or messages from fellas new to the hobby or wanting to get into it that are of varying levels of equestrian experience. This could be very beneficial for new folks to the hobby as well as keeping those of us that have done it for a couple of decades sharp, too. The second reason is that this topic will play a huge role in the upcoming Camp of Instruction and it could be of great help to “pick the brains” of those of you who be so kind as to share your routine or secret.

So, in summary, please give us what you do to make yourself a better horseman, the amount you ride, terrain, drills or training techniques. Some do time-trials, some take lessons, some use their horses on their farms and other examples. Discuss your proven techniques for teaching a horse how to neck-rein, side-pass, back-up, stand when being mounted, breaking them to gunfire, changing leads, etc, etc, etc. Anything that you would like to toss in the mix (as long as it would improve our mounted efforts in the field) is fair game.

I thank you in advance!

Mark

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

Mark, good subject!! Ronnie Tucker posted this on another thread but this part bears repeating here on several levels....

"In our hobby today there are way too may who don't know how much nerve the horse they ride has. They may not ride at all between events. When they do ride, it is never for any extended period. My wife and I ride a lot and go away from home to ride, where, it is possible to ride a long way and be in the saddle a long time. Six hours is a pretty normal time for us to be out. Eight is not unusual. Twenty five or thirty miles is easily done. You have to use your horse to know what he can stand. If your horse is tired, he won't waste energy doing wrong. The more time you spend in the saddle, the more efficient you and your horse become."

I am all crippled and used up but allow me to toot Ronnies horn here. He is a horseman from the old school. Makes his living with horses and mules so knows what he is talking about. His words are good advice.

Ken R Knopp

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

Respect for the horse. I've seen so called "horsemen jerk their pistol and come butt down between the horses ears in some misguided effort to keep the horse from throwing his head. From what I was observing the horse had a tooth problem or the bit was ill fitting. As far as manners like standing while being mounted... Anything espoused by Tom and Bill Dorrance or Ray Hunt. Their philosophies will make anyone a better horseman. I was fortunate to get to ride with Ray before he passed. His horseman style was definately western stockhorse, but aplicable to all disciplines. We've used it to start several colts. It works. It's more mind than muscle, a man can't out muscle a horse, but the first time you believe a horse is ignorant or stupid... he's out smarted you...

If we are looking for period ideals... Nolan's; or this excerpt from History of the United States Cavalry by Albert G. Brackett, 1865

After a hard days march, or indeed, any march in hot weather, upon halting, the saddle should be removed, the saddle blanket turned and left on the horse, strapped on by the surcingle. This will prevent saddle-boils. After the saddle is removed nearly every horse wishes to roll. He should be allowed to do so, the man keeping hold of the halter-strap or lariat while he is rolling. Ordinary marches for cavalry should not exceed eighteen mile a day. The horses should be watered once or twice on the march, if it is convenient, and should be allowed to drink as much water as they want, provided they are moved on after drinking, but on no account should they, after marching some distance, be allowed to drink and cool.

A good rider will always make a good raider.

[wavey1us]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

I have started researching by looking at a lot of cavalry manuals from various times period (1830s-1940s) and focused on the horsemanship aspect of each of those respective manuals. It is amazing that each of these manuals have a common thread/theme on the subject of horsemanship: gentle, but respectful training or the horse. No where do they mention punishing a horse for the sake of punishment. You punish when required, quickly and for a reason (not rearing his head when firing). The manuals also point out that the majority of a horses "issues" revolve around equipment or rider issues.
My training techniques and riding techniques are rooted in the military style riding (military seat). It works well and has been proven through a number of years. I have also have taken a great leap and started riding a flat seat saddle to stretch/increase my riding skills. I am not up to the level I hope to be, so riding lessons are in order.
If guys want increase their knowledge of horsemanship/horse mastership, get in the manuals, maybe adopt some of their styles. There are event videos of horsemanship/horse mastership from the 1940s showing guys riding 1928 McClellans. The techniques used in the 1940s can be traced back to the 1860s (with slight modifications).

[rbruno]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

A lot of this discussion ends up with the manuals and training and what to do with the horse under saddle. Certainly training to gun fire, side passes, and etc are all good. But, I think the thing that has probably made the biggest difference for me and my horses is that my horses live with me, and I am with them everyday. I think many times we forget about the all the things that go in to horsemenship that are "on the ground." Simple things of leading in and out stalls, exposing them to different "distractions" in the field, setting up obstacles they have not seen, or just simple grooming and handleing can show you the manners of your horse and areas they need to work on and areas as a horse handler you need to work on. IMHO, the more time spent around your horses is going to pay off a great deal in the field. For instance, watching one of my horses in the field with the others, I know he is a little pushy, so on the picket line, he needs more space so he won't play with the other horses. This makes all of our time in camp a little more peacful just knowing one horses regular behavior. I know not everyone has the luxury of keeping thier horses at their property. If you board a horse at another farm, the more time you get at that farm to see your horse, watch him/her with the others, and do simple ground work will pay off in the long run. Someone could develop a very simple ground routine that is not more then 20 or 30 mins that a person could do with the horse 3 or 4 times a week that would make the horse and horsemen much better when riding.

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

the biggest difference for me and my horses is that my horses live with me

Agreed! I know that the issue with my mare when we started out was gunfire, she was fine with it on the ground but didn't care for it under saddle. What I did (and I have no idea if others do this or not) was fire off a few rounds while she was saddled up in our round pen. When she didn't do anything I mounted up and then had my brother fire a few rounds, after no reaction I pulled my revolver and fired off her back. We did this with both of our horses and it seems to work pretty well. I knew she would be fine because she's with me every day, and I get to see what her likes/dislikes are.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

Hallo!

A slightly different tack (no pun intended) from an "infantryman."

Aside from maybe the possibility of say a New York City dweller never haivng been on or around a horse... I felt that my 19th century knowledge was sorely lacking as a "civilian" when it came to horses. Yeah, I could do the very most basic of riding but after almost leaving the saddle while out riding the moors of the Mourne Mountains in Ireland, I though the time to put the two together had come.

I also figured that if I studied "riding," by starting with formal Saddle Seat Equitation, I could move on to Western Equitation and Hunt Seat Equiutation. Especially since Saddle Seat or "English" had evovled out of the Southern plantation type riding, etc., etc.,.

So, it has been a 2 1/2 year process of half an hour of theory as well as horse care and horse psychology, followed by a half hour of instruction in the saddle. I should add that that also includes lessons with no stirrups, lessons with no reins, and bare back lessons. As well as numerous mental "chess games" with rather smart and stubborn horses. (My least favorite being skittish, spooked, and crazy horses fussing about the temperature, shadows, movement, sounds, pigeons, cats, and all manner of imaginary beasts and monsters luring behind every turn.

And last but not least, is the study of CW era and pre CW era riding manuals- although as some say, it is hard for some folks to learn from books sans horse just as some can find it hard to learn to dance or fence from a book.

Some day, maybe I will graduate to "pleasure riding." ;) :) :)
But I have learned and earned a new respect for the CW era cavalryman as well as civilian rider.

Curt

And yes, I think a Big Differecne is owning and working with the same horse "every day." Once a week, or with other people riding, the horse does not develop the 'trust" relationship with its rider and knows what to expect, how, the way things work,and the things he/she can get away with or not...

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

Several years ago, I spent a lot of $$ to spend a week at an intense seminar with noted "horse whisperer" John Lyons. I did learn a few things (not to seem as if I know a lot about horses and horsemanship, I don't. I'm learning every day!) including the fact that John Lyons is a total jerk. A couple of tips that I took away and practice as often as I can are these:

1) It all starts on the ground. Since, unlike Rob Bruno, I board my horse, and when I get to my barn, it's natural to want to saddle up and ride off as soon as possible. However, I take 10-15 minutes to do some ground work - leading, flexing, stopping, ground tying (drop the lead line and teach the horse that he's "anchored" to that spot - good for dismounting to open/close gates, etc.). And, do it from both sides as we know that horses, unlike many animals, don't transfer learning from one side to the other.

2) Every ride is a training opportunity, even when riding in column at an event. It's easy to just sit in the saddle with the reins held loosely in you hand and let you horse walk or lope down the trail that he's been down countless times. I teach my horse that I'm in charge by constantly asking him to do something: walk around this rock, go over to this side of the road, leave the trail and go around a tree, stop and back up 3 steps, change pace, change leads. I'm constantly giving him commands. It keeps him alert and lets him know that I'm in charge of where he goes and how he is going to get there. Then, at an event, when cannons are booming, he waits for me to tell him what we are going to do. He understands that I'm more than the "rider," I'm in charge. Sometimes, I'll walk or drive the route ahead of time and place stuff like a sheet of aluminum foil, or something that might spook him on the ground. Sometimes, if with a friend, I'll ask the friend to fall back 50 yards and shoot a couple of blanks.

My 2˘ - your mileage may vary.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

Great thread. I love reading the different viewpoints. I think background and life experiences play an important role here. I've seen those Army training films that Bill mentioned and I bought the set for myself. Best $10 I ever spent on ebay. I can't recommend them highly enough for the beginning horseman and cavalryman. There are some great training aids on there as well for how cavalry is intended to be used for patrols, scouts, etc. Outside of that, I guess one huge factor that is going to affect our philosophies about horsemanship (or the lack thereof) is where and why we ride. Bill's flat seat equitation is an awesome way to ride and it's perfect for teaching us how to properly sit and balance on a horse. But it's not worth beans when you're tied to a 10 year old swamp cow that you're trying to drag throw a saw briar thicket in the river swamp.

I guess my philosophy is pretty simple: Do not pamper your horse. Your horse is a tool, not a child. Take care of your horse. Respect your horse. Ride your horse. Ride your horse some more. Ride him in the worse terrain you can possibly imagine. Ride him there again, then go find some other worse place to ride. Then shoot him and buy a mule.

Seriously, though, ground work is important with colts or with people who aren't riding their horses on a regular basis, but IMO there just isn't a substitute for wet saddle blankets. The best horses on the planet are the ones that get ridden 10-12 hours a day, every day, where they have to work for a living. Riding down a trail is not working a horse... and it's doing very little to build the bond with a horse I think you have to have to be successful as a horseman.

But what do I know? I ride a mule 90% of the time. Horses are for the uneducated. LOL

[IowaYank]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

I couldn't agree with you more Larry!! I have a great bond with my horse and I love that guy to death, but I DO NOT pamper my horse! Unfortunately I don't own my own property yet so I still have to board. At the barn I keep my horse at it is a bunch of hunter/jumper types. If I hear another person talk to their horse like it is a baby I think I will puke!!! I hate it!! They ride around the ring with their horses.......that would bore me to death! I go out and hit the woods and take him through every tough spot I can find!!!!

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

I couldn't agree with you more Larry!! I have a great bond with my horse and I love that guy to death, but I DO NOT pamper my horse! Unfortunately I don't own my own property yet so I still have to board. At the barn I keep my horse at it is a bunch of hunter/jumper types. If I hear another person talk to their horse like it is a baby I think I will puke!!! I hate it!! They ride around the ring with their horses.......that would bore me to death! I go out and hit the woods and take him through every tough spot I can find!!!!

At least I'm not alone. Thanks, Dan. :) I don't think I could tolerate the boarding game. I've been thinking about building a barn, but it's been a 30 year thought process and for some reason, I just can't seem to think the roof up on that barn. Actually, I had a barn one time for my horses when I was still in grade school. I spent twice as much time in it as they did, so I figured what was the point? But we don't have the sub-zero temps here that others might. I keep waiting for the pet lovers to force the Dept. of Interior to build heated barns for free roaming mustangs.

There is one major difference in our riding styles, however. You take your horse through the worst terrain you can find. My mule usually takes me through the worst terrain he can find. I keep thinking there's something wrong with that picture, but what do I know?

[IowaYank]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

Yeah, The only time my horse sees the inside of the barn is when he is getting tacked up. Othar than that he stays out in the pasture 24/7/365. He has windbreaks and gets blanketed when it gets 10-20 degrees below zero, but other than that he is where a horse should be....NOT in a stall!!!

[volcav]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

Dan,
I told my wife just a couple of days ago that re-enacting gave me something unique and different to do with my horses. I'm not the show ring type, I don't rodeo anymore, I don't own a ranch to work cattle with them, and trail rides are nice but Cavalry Re-enacting gave me a purpose and something to work at with my horses. I could actually tell you more things not to do than to do. Like, don't wear spurs when gun breaking a horse. They aren't necessary for the task at hand and will only cause more bucking than the gun fire when you try to hang on with your legs. I'm sure you can figure out how I know that. LOL I guess the thing that has been the hardest for me is keeping my temper under control and learning to respect the horse. Most horses I've dealt with (not all but most) don't act up out of meaness. If you take the time to figure out what the problem is you can work on fixing it. Example, I had a horse that loaded right up in the trailer one night then for no apparent reason backed right back out and stood there looking at me like I'd done something stupid. I knew the horse wouldn't have done that without a reason so I took a minute to think about it. I checked the hay in the feed ben. It wasn't good. I swithed it out for fresh hay and she walked right back in the trailer. If I'd respected her enough to put in fresh hay in the first place there wouldn't have been a problem. Like I said before I can tell you more about what not to do than what to do right. I'm still learning where doing it right is concerned. Note that I didn't say baby the horse but respect it. Getting kicked in the mouth by horse for trying to beat it into submission will teach you that fighting an 800 to 1,100 pound animal isn't too smart. I've read a lot more about training horses than I've had time in the saddle or on the ground with them. One thing that is prevelant in most of the stuff I've read is to make the training enjoyable for the horse if possible but at the least don't make the training something the horse will remember with fear later. Trailering a horse is one example where I have successful in teaching a young horse to load up. I didn't fight him but when he wouldn't come into the trailer I took the lead and stretched his neck as far as I could without hurting him, tied him off and walked out of the trailer. After a few minutes he stepped forward to releive the stretched neck. Now he had two feet in the trailer. Walked back in, gave him a peppermint and strecthed his neck out some more. After a bit he came on into the trailer. I gave him another peppermint and down the road we went. After that he was never a problem to load again. He didn't have any bad memories about getting into the trailer. I'm going to shut up now and let people with more know how than me take over.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

Stalls lead to vices... cribbing, weaving, etc... I'm fortunate my horses are about 75' behind the house and our land attaches to Dad and Mom's 300+ acres... if that doesn't supply me with enough riding, theres a million plus in the Shawnee National Forest a mile or so to the south of me...

Too many people steal rides aboard their horses, they don't put in the time on one to build trust. A horse who trusts you will kill itself for you if you ask it too. It will cross through, over, under anything you can think of IF it trusts you. It takes time both in the saddle and on the ground to build that trust. Really in the end wet saddle blankets make a horse a good horse. Z

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Horsemanship and Horsemastery

Well said... and it's a two-way street. In order for that horse to truly trust you, you need to be able to trust him. I was criticized because I rode the same old horse for 20 years with better, more expensive ones going to waste in the pasture. But I trusted that old mare. I knew what she was thinking and she knew what I wanted even before I asked her for it. And I knew at the end of the day, she was going to get me back to where I needed to be or we'd go down together. You don't get that in the round pen or an arena (though it can start there). You only get that with wet saddle blankets. And I believe that level of trust transcends disciplines and tasks. I could count on that mare to pull a plow, pull a calf to the fire, get me through a mud bog after 20 miles of traveling, and get me through anything a LH event could throw at me. She could trust me to get her home safe and to even feed her (sometimes).

Was I riding her correctly with perfect balance in the proper military or European equestrian seat? Heck, I don't know. I seriously doubt it. But I don't fall off much, so something must be working.