what makes a good horseperson?

[lynnemh]

what in your opinion, makes a good horseperson- what do you consider the factors of good horsemanship- is it faithfully following a set dogma, is it performing and winning, is it something far more personal to you??

[Cortrasna]

Patience has to be top of the list I think. Seen lots of excellent riders also who are absolutely useless at just plain looking after their horses!;) no patience whatsoever - just want neddy bringing home kudos etc.

On the other hand seen some riders that are not so good at riding -but have more than made up for it with their patient and knowledgeable way of handling/caring for their horses.

And NEVER saying you know it all because you've been with horses for x number of years - new knowledge is coming through everyday - some useful some not;)

Also NEVER saying you know best because you've got your BHS number 1,500 and dismiss all other theorys - especially if they come from old horsemen who can't write their name let alone study for equine exams!:)

Just my humble opinion but interesting to hear others:)

[Ceiron]

patience and dedication imo

[Joyscarer]

In a word COMUNICATION!

I think for me the key thing is to look at the responses you are getting from your horse and being able to interpret what that means.

Comunication is a 2 way street so being able to translate what the horse is trying to tell you and finding an effective way to comunicate your intentions is what I would consider to be the most important factor in good effective horsemanship :)

[rubysmum]

not me:(
i think there is a level of intuition often informed by spending a LOT of time around a LOT of horses & actually paying attention to them - what used to be known as having a "feel" for them
but theres also a level of natural talent/ability in terms of ridden ability too

[greymare]

Understanding and patience. You see so many people that are out competing who have no idea how to properly handle a horse. You also have so many people who have no desire to compete but seem to have horses that are very settled and happy.

I think there is part of it which can be in built into a person that makes them good with horses.

As other have said the ability to interpret horse behaviour is a massive help

Jen
x

[Kit&Holly]

The ability to understand each other and work together as one :)

[lynnemh]

i'm agreeing with all of the above, espec rubysmum, but still mulling this over as theres more too it. i would rate very highly the ability to put the horses needs before your own, and to take a responsible attitude to everything relating to horse ownership, and, if occasion demands, to distance yourself from a problem to enable you to reach a sensible and not emotional solution ( ie walk away when they try your patience to the limit, rather than commence battle) the ability to ask for help when you need it and not give up when the going gets tough. i really rate the ability to think like a horse, and see the horses point of view - i most admire people with that certain feel or bond which goes past human and horse, and becomes one. and i also think a good horseperson will look for a solution from any source, so doesnt shut thier mind to possibilities. but i just cant quite put my finger on what i want to say- think it might have been easier to list what makes a bad horseperson!

[Mary Poppins]

I think that you need to have an open mind above everything else and adapt your approach depending on the horse you are dealing with. You have to be open to new ideas and not be fixed in your views.

[Nimbus65]

Patience, listening, keen powers of observation. IMHO, good horsemanship is the ability to know/read and understand a horse. Without patience, the willingness to listen (to your horse) and the ability to step back and observe it's all just about you, not the horse.

N

[Daisy_Roots]

I think the main thing is seeing what isn't there :confused:
My instructor is a bit of a hero of mine, she has a 'feel' for every horse that she spends time with, she's BHS but n ot through and through, she can't be bothered with NH because it's what 'any good horse person does anyway'.

She just quietly gets on with bringing the best out of every horse she comes into contact with.

[Nookster]

an open mind.

One set of rules/techniques doesn't fit all.

[Trewsers]

Somebody who "listens" to what their horse is trying to tell them. For a couple of years of horse ownership I missed such a lot of things that Storm tried to tell me. I am ashamed to admit that things did not work out in her favour or mine and we had a lot of crossed wires. Things are much clearer now, mainly because I am no longer on a yard and not "listening" to so many conflicting opinions / views - and also because I am forced to make decisions by myself and going more with gut instinct rather than what people say I should be making of the situation.

Of course there are lots of things that make a good horse-person - I would consider my OH to be such. He is confident and capable around them, therefore they trust him and I have only ever seen him do good things with even the daftest, most unsure equine! Granted our experience is much limited compared to many other people on here (we've only been around them for 6 years in total). But overall he is a good horseperson because he listens and the horses really seem to sense this.

[Trewsers]

an open mind.

One set of rules/techniques doesn't fit all.

Absolutely, couldn't agree more. There are so many cases of people giving out hard and fast advice, when often its just not applicable to individual cases.