Characteristics of a Master Horseman

This journey of learning about horses is a fascinating one.  There is much to learn and experience, and it just keeps getting better and more exciting the longer I do it.  Since there is so much to learn and experience, it keeps a person in a learning frame of mind.  Always open to new knowledge and curious enough to search for more and better answers.

Once we "know" something, our minds can sometimes harden and we develop habits and patterns that can limit our progress.  In order to become good with horses, a person has to remain flexible in their mind and body so that they can rediscover what it feels like to learn, change and develop continually, instead of simply “knowing.”  This type of flexibility can keep us from getting in a rut!

This past summer while I was recovering from surgery, I reread “True Unity” by Tom Dorrance and “True Horsemanship Through Feel” by Bill Dorrance.  The first time I read these books, a few years ago, it seemed like cryptic cowboy speak to me.  Even though I read all the words in the books, my comprehension was quite limited.  Through this second read, the books came alive to me with magical explanations of the touch and communication that I have witnessed with my very eyes between master horsemen and their partners.  I felt like I was beginning to understand what they were trying to get across and what had been missing in my own knowledge, skills and attitudes.

The Dorrance brothers were pioneers that rekindled the type of horse training we currently call “natural horsemanship,” also known as the “vaquero style of training.”  They were mentors for Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman, Pat Parelli and many more wonderful horsemen who have brought this information forward so that it is readily available to the rest of the horse world.  With this explosion of information a whole culture has been born of horse psychology, equipment and the novel ideas that are associated with “natural horsemanship.”

Although both men have since passed away, they are remembered for their amazing presence with a horse despite their small and weak stature.  Most observers knew there was something special going on between horse and man.  But to most, “how it happened” was invisible, it just happened.  These men could totally focus their attention and that of a horse.  It was spectacular what they could get from a horse.

The brothers worked hard and spent decades gaining their skill and understanding.  They gave themselves permission to experiment and believed in personal progress.  Even though they worked hard to be the best at whatever they did, they weren’t competitive in the normal sense.  They could do anything they set their minds to.  Neither felt comfortable when in the limelight.  Material wealth and fame didn’t interest either of them.

I consider these men “master horsemen.”  So, if I want to be a better horseman, it would be wise of me to study their personal characteristics as well as their techniques.

Through my studies, I have learned that they had tremendous attention to detail, concentrated powers of observation, superb memories, creative imaginations, unlimited patience, a penchant for efficiency and amazing self-discipline.

They were also compassionate, lifetime learners, open minded, deep thinkers, planners and problem solvers with a positive attitude.

They had the ability to remember, observe and compare animals in an extraordinary way.  They attributed their knowledge, gifts and talents to the horses they encountered.  Tom always said what he knew about horses he learned from horses.  They lived horsemanship as a way of life, not just a means of recreation.

One of the characteristics written about Tom that stands out to me the most is his aversion to conflict. He seemed to go out of his way to avoid conflict with anybody or anything.  Instead of letting a horse buck or get worried, it is said that he continued experimenting with different techniques so they wouldn’t. He just knew what to do to make it easy for the horse.

This kind of knowledge and skill was developed through continued and intense study of horses.  Analyzing their movements, actions, reactions, and what they meant.  It seemed they could just look at a horse and from its actions know what it needed. They could show the horse what they wanted it to do, and let him alone to do it.  Joe Wolter said, “They got a kick out of solving a horse problem.  They wanted to figure out how a horse got that way and how they could alter his response.  They truly enjoyed the whole process.”

I believe the reason for their success with horses is their interest in more than just the physical aspects of horsemanship.

They wanted to get into the mind and soul of a horse.  Tom said, “He lived the horse’s life ”  They were working from the horse’s needs, putting their own needs aside.  The emphasis was on helping and supporting the horse rather than making the horse perform.  They encouraged others to lavish horses with kindness and attention.  It sure wasn’t the normal way for many people back then, but it worked.

Another aspect of their effective training style, which is difficult to fit into our fast paced culture, is that of “taking the time it takes.”  According to Tim Erickson, “time meant nothing to Tom when he was working with a horse.  He would work right through meals or late into the night until the horse came around.”

Tom Marvel declares, “They were the toughest men I’ve ever know.  Cold or heat never bothered them. Once they started to work, they didn’t quit until they were done, no matter how long it took or how late it got.”

Before I close this article about the characteristics of great horsemen, I want to point out that these men never held back and would help anyone who asked.  But at the same time they didn’t force their ideas on anyone.  Martin Black says, “They wanted to make a horse and rider feel better about things.”

Bryan Newbert explains, “Tom made a conscious decision to change his outlook about people, just as he had so many years before with horses.  He decided to look for the good in people.”

As I look for the good in people and horses, I realize that if we will make a conscious effort to adopt the qualities of great horsemen, that these characteristics will not only allow for more fun, safety and a better performance with our horses, it will translate into all areas of our lives resulting in new confidence and better relationships.

I hope that I can share with all who attend my classes: inspiration, knowledge, confidence, leadership qualities, and a better feel for your horse.  My goal is that we will all go away from each class with more characteristics of a “master, natural horseman” than we came with.

Check out my web site for a camp or class near you.

Happy Trails,

Sherry Jarvis