The more logical question would be 'why not?' Why not opening up for the incredible amount of wisdom and expertise that human kind has amassed over the past six millennia they have been working with horses? Wisdom from times when horses had a far more central position in society and heavily influenced economics, social life, politics and culture. Times when one's very survival often depended on his level of horsemanship. Why then the need to choose one particular method, often tied to limited and particular goals, which often traces has its direct roots not more than a century ago? Why not profiting from a broad spectrum of methods, which offer an arsenal of ways of dealing with horses, allowing for a greater variability and adaptivity, while deepening our understanding of the horse and horsemanship?
Although this small list of questions already answers the question 'why traditional horsemanship?', the following list will give more information about the advantages of Traditional Western Horsemanship for modern horsemen and horse enthusiasts.
Although this small list of questions already answers the question 'why traditional horsemanship?', the following list will give more information about the advantages of Traditional Western Horsemanship for modern horsemen and horse enthusiasts.
The Art of Unity: an experience for everyone |
At its heart, Traditional Western Horsemanship upholds the highest ideal of an Art of Unity. Some may consider this a romantic notion or a naive ideal, but nothing is less true. The ideal of pursuing unity was carried over in all its traditions, not in the least because it was functional. Because these traditions envisioned an advanced and variable use for the horse, horsemen were in constant search for methods that allowed them to move the horse's feet as if they were their own. In other words, they were looking for a physical unity with the horse, which also necessitated a mental unity.
The ideal of unity is not irrelevant today, even if you are not interested in traditional applications with your horse. Sport practitioners would maximize their enjoyment if they felt in perfect physical unity with their horses. Recreational trail riders would deepen their experience outdoors with a well-connected horse. The horse can even fulfil a more central role in our modern worlds, because of the amazing beneficial influence that pursuing a mental connection wih another organism has on the human psyche in a time dominated by stress and artificiality. Even in its most basic form, Western Tradional Horsemanship will enhance the relation between horse and rider, to the great benefit of both, regardless of application.
The ideal of unity is not irrelevant today, even if you are not interested in traditional applications with your horse. Sport practitioners would maximize their enjoyment if they felt in perfect physical unity with their horses. Recreational trail riders would deepen their experience outdoors with a well-connected horse. The horse can even fulfil a more central role in our modern worlds, because of the amazing beneficial influence that pursuing a mental connection wih another organism has on the human psyche in a time dominated by stress and artificiality. Even in its most basic form, Western Tradional Horsemanship will enhance the relation between horse and rider, to the great benefit of both, regardless of application.
Naturalness: beyond the opposition between conventional and natural horsemanship |
As noted on the page 'What Traditional Western Horsemanship', the conventional horsemanship of the past century has been strongly determined by the specific goals of equestrian sports. The main focus came to lie on specific physical goals or external expressions, with little or no attention for the mental dimension of horses. Furthermore, the methods used to fulfil these goals or to establish these expressions were often based on a mechanical use of pressure. In the past decades, conventional horsemanship methods were increasingly more criticized for its mechanical perspective as well as for its neglect of the mental dimension of horsemanship, which lead to alternative forms of horsemanship, most notably Natural Horsemanship.
Natural Horsemanship stressed the importance of the mental dimension of horses and reintroduced the centrality of a learned communication. Although fuelled by modern concerns, Natural Horsemanship did not invent its alternative methods, but simply adapted those of the traditional vaqueros and buckaroos. However, in its strong focus on the mental dimension of the horse, Natural Horsemanship often overlooks the importance of a physical training. Communication is not only necessary to direct the horse, but it also needed to serve a decent physical training to build the qualities which allows a horse to deal with the heavy distorting effects riders have on their Takt and Moveability.
Consequently, a good method of horsemanship should take both the mental and physical dimension of horses into account. Such a horsemanship does not require the invention of new revolutionary methods, but simply to return to the wisdom and practices of the traditional methods. The idea of naturalness stresses both the development of mental qualities, leading to an amazingly light and refined communication, and the development of the physical qualities, rather than mere physical expressions.
Natural Horsemanship stressed the importance of the mental dimension of horses and reintroduced the centrality of a learned communication. Although fuelled by modern concerns, Natural Horsemanship did not invent its alternative methods, but simply adapted those of the traditional vaqueros and buckaroos. However, in its strong focus on the mental dimension of the horse, Natural Horsemanship often overlooks the importance of a physical training. Communication is not only necessary to direct the horse, but it also needed to serve a decent physical training to build the qualities which allows a horse to deal with the heavy distorting effects riders have on their Takt and Moveability.
Consequently, a good method of horsemanship should take both the mental and physical dimension of horses into account. Such a horsemanship does not require the invention of new revolutionary methods, but simply to return to the wisdom and practices of the traditional methods. The idea of naturalness stresses both the development of mental qualities, leading to an amazingly light and refined communication, and the development of the physical qualities, rather than mere physical expressions.
Multi-perspective instead of a one method for all |
One of the great strengths of Traditional Western Horsemanship lies in its implicit openness and multi-perspective approach. Rather than relying on one just one view or on one uniform approach, Traditional Western Horsemanship is open to a great variety of perspectives and methods, although never without questioning and therefore studying them. In this way, these diverse perspectives enrich our insight on how we can apply the fundamental principles of horsemanship to build fundamental qualities in a variable manner, adapted to the specific needs of each horse at any given moment. Furthermore, such a multi-perspective approach allows for the training of a wide spectrum applications for our horses. In simple words, a mutli-perspective approach allows us for an arsenal in techniques, where others have only a small bag, while at the same time it deepens our understanding of the horse and horsemanship.
Not just Sport, but Art
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Traditional horsemanship was never without competition: medieval knights jousted, dressage riders ran the courses, and vaqueros held rodeos. However, these practices were not considered simple sports, they were inherent parts of their respective cultures. The performed horsemanship was therefore not considered a pragmatic performance to beat an opponent, but an act of art. An art that did not only express the collective identity of its practitioners, but which was to inspire virtue in its horsemen. Equitation was one of the preferred ways to educate and form humans. In short, Traditional Western Horsemanship holds that horses and horsemanship makes better women and men.
Fun in a variety of applications |
Next to its valuable lessons, Traditional Western Horsemanship is simply fun to do. Not only the deep happiness and peace that lies embedded in its inherent quest for unity, but also the sheer enjoyment of its many applications offers a great source of pleasure.
The most basic of these applications, shared by all traditions, is 'trail riding', as horses were commonly used as a means of transportation before the 20th century. Furthermore, all traditions have their own specific applications, some of which have taken new shapes in our modern times. Vaquero roping is regaining popularity, as is working equitation, which goes back on de doma vaquera in which Jennet riding was employed, and even medieval jousting is getting more established. The main application for the Scholae lies within the medieval martial arts on horseback, which is reconstructed nowadays as an element of Equestrian Historical European Martial Arts (EHEMA).
The caleidoscope of traditional applications have something in stock for everyone, whether it is the tranquility of a trail ride, the aesthetics of a traditional carousel, or the thrill of medieval combat. What is more, Traditional Western Horsemanship encourages you to practise many applications next to each other, enriching your horsemanship in the process.
The most basic of these applications, shared by all traditions, is 'trail riding', as horses were commonly used as a means of transportation before the 20th century. Furthermore, all traditions have their own specific applications, some of which have taken new shapes in our modern times. Vaquero roping is regaining popularity, as is working equitation, which goes back on de doma vaquera in which Jennet riding was employed, and even medieval jousting is getting more established. The main application for the Scholae lies within the medieval martial arts on horseback, which is reconstructed nowadays as an element of Equestrian Historical European Martial Arts (EHEMA).
The caleidoscope of traditional applications have something in stock for everyone, whether it is the tranquility of a trail ride, the aesthetics of a traditional carousel, or the thrill of medieval combat. What is more, Traditional Western Horsemanship encourages you to practise many applications next to each other, enriching your horsemanship in the process.
Preserving heritage, honouring the horse |
Because horses have disappeared from our modern daily lives, it easy to forget their contribution to human kind in general and our western civilization in particular. Still, their remembrance lingers in the silent statues that overlook our car-filled streets. Great works of art depict their faithful deeds that shaped our nations and inspired our epic stories. In popular culture the heroic deeds of horse and man are still recalled, whether in the form of the cowboy and his pony shaping the West or of the knight questing for God, king and damsel.
It is good to remember the influence horses had on who we are today. Our history would look profoundly different without them. Horses carried humans and messages across vast empires. Together with camels, they connected continents on adventurous trade routes such as the Silk Route or the Western Trail. Horses forged the empire of Alexander the Great and witnessed the fall of that of Napoleon. Horses provided food for millions by their hard labour in turning heavy soils. They opened up the new worlds as conquistadores, explorers and cow herders. Horses brought culture and inspired virtue to the wealthiest aristocrat and the poorest vaquero alike. The horse did not only carry man, he carried mankind.
The horse is therefore perhaps the pre-eminent symbol of an ancient organic world, filled with mystery, adventure, and deep passion. A Romantic view perhaps, but one that connects us with the romanticism of the past. And even deprived of any romantic notions, the millennia old alliance between horse and man was very real. By loosing that bound, humanity would loose an essential part of its soul. After all, in the eyes of the horse we discover the deep roots of our tradition, we discover our true selves. Could we, the modern human, afford such a precious thing to be lost?
It is good to remember the influence horses had on who we are today. Our history would look profoundly different without them. Horses carried humans and messages across vast empires. Together with camels, they connected continents on adventurous trade routes such as the Silk Route or the Western Trail. Horses forged the empire of Alexander the Great and witnessed the fall of that of Napoleon. Horses provided food for millions by their hard labour in turning heavy soils. They opened up the new worlds as conquistadores, explorers and cow herders. Horses brought culture and inspired virtue to the wealthiest aristocrat and the poorest vaquero alike. The horse did not only carry man, he carried mankind.
The horse is therefore perhaps the pre-eminent symbol of an ancient organic world, filled with mystery, adventure, and deep passion. A Romantic view perhaps, but one that connects us with the romanticism of the past. And even deprived of any romantic notions, the millennia old alliance between horse and man was very real. By loosing that bound, humanity would loose an essential part of its soul. After all, in the eyes of the horse we discover the deep roots of our tradition, we discover our true selves. Could we, the modern human, afford such a precious thing to be lost?