By “horsemanship” I mean “horsemanship,” not mere skill in sticking on a horse’s back.
A man may have ridden all his life and be able to stick on the back of any horse and yet be no “horseman.”
Merely keeping one’s seat, and “horsemanship” are two entirely different matters.
The “rider” (i. e., sticker-on) turns his horse by pulling a rein. If he wants to go faster he hits his horse or kicks his heels into it, if he wants to stop he pulls with both hands.
If he wants to turn, he pulls his horse’s head round and the horse pivots on his fore legs and his hind legs follow in a wider circle.
The “horseman” uses the aids, that is, his left hand on the reins and the calves of his legs against his horse’s sides.
By the pressure of the calf of his leg, feeling the horse’s mouth, and the rein against the horse’s neck, he can make the horse obey his every wish, because the horse understands, without any tugging, hitting, or forcing.
“Horsemanship” is having the horse under perfect control and obedient to an indication so slight that it is imperceptible to the onlooker.
The “rider” tries to compel the horse by main force to obey him, and the horse, even when it understands and obeys, does it in his own way, not his rider’s way.
It is the difference between two perfect dancers moving as one, and a man who has a vague idea of dancing trying to lug round a partner who knows nothing about dancing.