So what is "Horsemanship"?  Horsemanship, quite simply, refers to skill in riding and handling horses.  It is how well you sit in the saddle and how well your horse responds to your cues. Horsemanship involves both dismounted and mounted abilities of the rider to effectively communicate with the horse. The horse does as you ask because if respects you, not because it is afraid of you. Horsemanship also extends into the care, well-being and respect of your horse and the horses of others; it is not just being a good rider and getting the horse to do what you want it to do.  A true horseman never stops learning and continues to expand his or her knowledge of how to communicate with and care for the horse.  By striving to better communicate with the horse, in training, action and function, you also become a better horseman.  A better horseman is a better rider.  A true horseman leads by example, always taking care of thier horse(s) and looking out for their well being.

"Natural Horsemanship" refers to the ability of an individual to ride and handle horses, using "natural" methods. Natural methods include how horses communicate with one another in their herd; this involves respect, dicipline and play.  Horses do use language as we do (speaking) with one another, instead they communicate using body language. Body language can use your eyes, arms, core, voice, and pressure (Or absence of any of these tools) to help the horse understand the desired effect. The keystone of natural horsemanship is communication with the horse so that it reponds to commands out of respect for the rider, not fear.  It is important to remember that all horses have their own personalities and are individuals, just like humans and will repond to you accordingly. Natural horsemanship centers around two key concepts; Horses are prey animals, humans are predators - because horses are not going to become more predator-like, we must become more prey-like to form a relationship with our horse and; we need to speak the horses language in order to communicate with them.