By Staci Grattan-Fornshell of Spirit Horse Center in Brainerd Minnesota – http://www.spirithorsecenterinc.com

 In 2011 Toni Wasilensky, Dr. Don Wasilensky and I attended a conference in Wisconsin on Equine Conformation and Anatomy presented by Dr. Deb Bennett. While her overall presentation style was not what I was expecting, she did give me some food for thought. Dr. Bennett began her presentation defining horsemanship. Her statement that “horsemanship is among the great arts, – music, math, science, painting, sculpting” gave me a bit of pause as I knew that she was on to something that I had never considered. So I began to give it some thought.

 Is horsemanship an art form? What is the definition of an “art form”?

 In researching the definition of an “art form” I came across the following on Wikipedia: “Traditionally, the term art was used to refer to any skill or mastery. This conception changed during the Romantic period, when art came to be seen as ‘a special faculty of the human mind to be classified with religion and science’.”

Horsemanship at its roots, tracing back to the great masters such as Xenophon (the original classical horseman, and author of The Art of Horsemanship), is truly an “art form” by the old world definition. It is, in my opinion, a skill, a craft and a lifelong learning pursuit.

 If we consider horsemanship an art, as in “a skill or mastery”, this concept by definition evokes images of people I consider masters of the trade or the great horsemen and women. This brings me to my next question: What are the defining characteristics of a “great” horseman or horsewoman?

I think each of us involved in the horse world holds a unique, personal definition of fine horsemanship. In my life horsemen and women who have influenced my horse pursuits are many. Those who know what the flick of an ear or the wrinkle over an eye can mean. Those who simply feel the energy of the horse, and know what is right in the moment. It seems the ones who I have learned the most from are those who are closest to me.

 To me, the following horsemen and women have helped me define great horsemanship not only as an art form but as a way of life:

* My Great Grandfather Albin, who after witnessing his father beat a horse to death in an alcoholic rage chose a different path with his horses that involved partnership and gentleness.

*My Grandmother DeLyte – her compassion for animals and horses set a great example for me. She was also my earliest tangible example of partnership with horses. One of my favorite photos of her is as a teenage girl bareback on a rearing horse. She had taught him to rear on command as well as many other neat tricks.

*My personal horsemanship mentor in my adult years has become Toni Wasilensky (our facility manager, head instructor and trainer at Spirit Horse Center). Her skill and intuition level with the horses takes horsemanship to the next level. I feel privileged to be able to work along side her or observe as she teaches humans and works with horses.

 I see a few common themes among all great horsemen and women I have encountered personally and professionally. I list them here for your consideration:

 PARTNERSHIP

I believe all truly great horsemen and women partner with the horses they work with regularly. It is a dance of balance and trust between both participants. The ultimate goal being one mind and one body.

 MENTORSHIP

Dating back to Xenophon, the passing of knowledge to the future generations is a common theme. A theme I see today among those I consider truly great. The hands-on apprenticeship approach hasn’t changed a whole lot through the generations, nor should it.

HUMILITY

As Toni Wasilensky put it, “horses will always humble you” – and they do. Horses have an amazing way of teaching us many life lessons if only we listen. I believe humility is the marker of any great master.

 SELF CONTROL

The longer you are around horses, you will come to realize that a horse will eventually cause you to feel every emotion imaginable.

I think Buck Brannaman said it best: “Controlling your emotions is the biggest challenge for a horseman.”

I think we could all take this concept and apply it to life in general.

 SELF AWARENESS AND SENSITIVITY

Horses are excellent mirrors (and lie detectors) making self awareness and sensitivity a crucial component in horsemanship. It has been said that fine horsemanship becomes a way of life. How we approach not only our horses but also our spouses, children, co-workers and total strangers.

 ENERGY

Horses are amazingly attuned to visualization and body language by their handlers as well as energetic shifts and changes in their surroundings. It is my opinion that whether they know it or not, most if not all great horsemen and women use this to their advantage in the course of working with horses daily.

 I believe horsemanship truly is an art form. A lifelong pursuit of knowledge and mastery. I also believe those of us who have the honor of interacting regularly with these amazing creatures are never done learning. From each other, or more importantly the horses, as they are the real teachers. I feel the truly great horsemen and women set an example for us as mentors who form a partnership with the horse. They become masters of self control, humility and self awareness and learn to use a language the horse understands via the use of energy, visualization and body language.

 I leave you to explore your own thoughts on horsemanship as an art form and your own definition of what makes a horseman or woman truly “great”. Enjoy the journey. Now go hug a horse!