Doc Hammill DVM Doc's lifetime of working with horses combined with his equine veterinary experience give him a unique perspective on horsemanship. His commitment to gentle but effective techniques and principles, coupled with his depth of knowledge and experience make him an extraordinary instructor.
	Tom Triplett, Master Horseman Tom grew up depending on horses for everyday work and transportation. Tom's easygoing manner combined with his obvious mastery, and compassion for the animals has a magical effect on horses and students alike.

Doc Hammill and Tom Triplett conduct regular workshops at Doc's ranch located outside East Glacier Park, Montana. They also travel around the country for clinics, consulting, demonstrations, and speaking engagements.
Doc describes the principles of gentle horsemanship as follows:

Gentle Horsemanship
By Doc Hammill

What I have come to call Gentle Horsemanship is actually a set of principles - an ethical code - for interacting with horses.

It is based upon commitment to using only non confrontational and nonviolent techniques, and upon accepting personal responsibility for the comfort and behavior of our horses. Gentle Horsemanship professes that horses effectively mirror (reflect) our actions, reactions, and behavior - and that to change that behavior we must first reshape ours.

I have not always practiced Gentle Horsemanship. My early training, like most, was very conventional horsemanship. Regretfully, I know what it is like to have been harsh and used force with horses. With the help of many good equine and human teachers, I was able to discover better feelings about myself, and superior results, by developing a kinder, gentler approach. Consequently, for some time now, I have been passionate about sharing and teaching Gentle Horsemanship.

Doing so has improved the quality of life for a lot of horses, and enriched my life in the process. Passing on what I've been so fortunate to learn in over 45 years of working with horses is also a way of honoring my teachers.

Gentle Horsemanship involves communicating in the language of horses and using their logic, rather than expecting them to use ours. It respects their inherent nature as horses and adjusts to accommodate individual personalities and personal histories. Gentle Horsemanship presents horses with options and allows them to choose to be with us and cooperate rather than be forced. It takes commitment, self discipline, and time, but anyone can learn and apply the principles and techniques of Gentle Horsemanship.

The skills of Gentle Horsemanship not only produce amazing results with horses, but have great human value when applied to interpersonal relationships at home, school, work, etc.. In fact, I am increasingly asked to demonstrate Gentle Horsemanship to groups who have no intention of using the principles with horses, but rather as a model for human interactions.

Gentle Horsemanship, is seems, produces Gentle People.

Quotes:

"Equestrian art, perhaps more than any other, is closely related to the wisdom of life. Many of the same principles may be applied as a line of conduct to follow. The horse teaches us self-control, constancy, and the ability to understand what goes on in the mind and the feelings of another creature, qualities that are important throughout our lives. Moreover, from this relationship with his horse the rider will learn that only kindness and mutual understanding will bring about the achievements of highest perfection."

- Alois Podhajsky, famed director of Vienna's Spanish Riding School in his book, "The Complete Training of Horse and Rider"

"....and I whispered to the horse; "Trust no man in whose eye you do not see yourself reflected as an equal"

Don Vincenzo Giobbe circa 1700