At 12:47:29 on 10.10.11, Trot ON Comment wrote:
Gil Merrick shares the insights and experience he has gained from over 40 years of riding, working with top trainers throughout the world, and lessons learned in his role as the USEF's Team Leader for Dressage at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2008 Olympic Games. Do you agree with his fundamental principles of good horsemanship? Have you any others you would like to add? Do you think enough owners and trainers adhere to them?

At 00:14:56 on 13.10.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
I think good horsemanship is just being comfortable and respectful of each other, if you don't respect your horse then your not a good horseman, i don't think it has to do wth the riding or exercises just the being with a horse

At 13:41:45 on 13.10.11, Sadie Ann wrote:
This is a great question. Regardless of the discipline, horses are horses and it is good to know (like Gil said) what our horses motivations, trust levels, endurance levels, health, ability, proclivities, and needs are. Every horse can excel at something, and where versatility is important, a good horsewoman will be able to identify what that is, and bring it out in the horse. This makes both rider and horse fulfilled and happy. When a horse understands that it has a purpose, you have him. A good horsewoman is kind, forgiving, confident, well seated, steady, alert, healthy in mind body and spirit, and able to read cues and give them effectively. Good horsemanship is recognizable from across and arena. It takes time to achieve.