A while back, Molly from goldentheponygirl asked about Klaus Hempfling training – what did I think about it ‘as a training method’. This is not a simple question, but fully worthy of further discussion…
Klaus Hempfling clinic (www.hestebasen.com)
In thinking about what I know of Klaus, his books and watching a few video clips, I realised that if I only had two months to live, I would like to spend a huge chunk of that time with Klaus and dedicate myself to experiencing horses as he experiences them.
Klaus Hempfling: what an inspirational man… but look beyond… what is happening here?
I think with his background of dance and performance, his deep creativity, coming to horses relatively late in life, and keen powers of observation give Klaus an absolutely different way and perspective; one that is so valuable to us who may become entrenched in our perspective or ‘way of seeing’, and consequently ‘way of being’.
I think there are many things going on here. I think he has an advanced user of a form of ‘advance and retreat’, effective user of negative reinforcement (as is seen when he keeps the stallion at a ‘respectable’ distance, through a quick movement of the rope to motivate the horse to maintain appropriate distance), and then using a visual cue and quick timing to keep the horse’s attention, and additionally uses the principles of learning theory (such as ‘habituation’), as we saw in Klaus’s video in my previous post.
His creative mind allows him to empty himself of thoughts beyond the moment to enable ‘being’ and ‘doing’ seemingly effortlessly and unconcerned. However – every cell in his body is tuned to the horse. You can see this in his focused attention.
The breaking down of habitual movement (and thinking) patterns, I believe is really important, and am really interested to see that Klaus has a system of body awareness training that warrants consideration by ’seeking’ riders.
A word of warning – you need to be realistic about your current abilities before undertaking activities such as those shown in the videos unless under skilled supervision. But don’t let this detract you from your mission of learning from the horses.
Related posts:
- Klaus reveals horses ‘die inside’
- What does lateral thinking have to do with horse cruelty?
- Book Review: ‘Lessons in Lightness, the Art of Educating the Horse’
- Rollkur use investigated by EponaTV
- Ethical dilemmas in horse ownership
- How to avoid dangers in horse transport
- What does the horse want?
- The positives of negative reinforcement
- Lessons from Ray Hunt
- Competition dressage vs ‘working’ dressage
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Good synopsis of his methods, he is indeed the most unique horse trainer out there right now. I love watching the videos and studying his movements and how the horses react. Man what I would give to see him at a clinic etc…. Do you have any of his videos or books (does h have books?) If so what do you think of them?
Hi Molly,
I have seen a video – ‘Dancing with Horses’, and read ‘What Horses Reveal’.
I think it is the videos along with clips on YouTube that are most revealing, you can find them here: nature2promotion
Have you already come across the following book?
Imke Spilker (Author), Kristina McCormack (Translator)
Empowered Horses: Learning Their Way Through Independence, Self-Confidence, and Creative Play (Hardcover)
Hardcover: 200 pages
Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books; 1 edition (May 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1570764131
ISBN-13: 978-1570764134
link:
http://www.amazon.com/Empowered-Horses-Learning-Independence-Self-Confidence/dp/1570764131/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top#noop
Customer review on amazon.com by the translator K. Mccormack (New Paltz, New York)
“Since I’m the person who translated this book from German into English you might consider me hopelessly biased. And you’d be right. I think this is an extraordinary book. I’ve read it a total of 5 or 6 times, in two languages, and I still have not gotten everything there is to get from it. I doubt I’ll ever get it all, no matter how many more times I read it. “Empowered Horses” is that rich. I was not hired to translate this book; I read it, loved it, felt it had to be available in English, and took it upon myself to translate it, long before I ever had a commitment from a publisher.
The market is flooded with many books about working with horses. Nearly all of these books concern themselves with how we can better use the horse, how we can get him to do more amazing things for us, how we can make him more compliant to our “requests,” more obedient to our demands. Even the books that purport to tell us how to “whisper” to our horses are, at root, just teaching us another method for imposing our will — albeit in a “softer” voice.
“Empowered Horses” is different. You could say it is a handbook for a revolution in the horse-human relationship. There’s no mention at all of any technique or “trick” for getting a horse to do what we want him to do. On the contrary, the book begins by issuing an invitation — an invitation to enter the world of horses and see things from their perspective: “There is an entryway. Once you go through it, you will never again be able to distance yourself from the concerns of horses. You will no longer be deaf to their language. You will no longer be unreceptive to their feelings. It is up to you to take this step. We invite you into the world of horses….”
If we accept this invitation and open our hearts and minds to what the horses have to teach us, we find ourselves re-examining everything we thought we knew about these intelligent, creative, and supremely kind beings — and re-evaluating everything we do with (and to) them…. and how we do it. We learn what it means for a horse to be empowered, and how we can help him become that way. We learn how important it is to free the horses in our lives from our unceasing demands, desires, and expectations. We learn to listen to them so that a real conversation, a real dialog can take place. We begin using our power in their behalf, for their well being. We learn how to develop a relationship with horses based in freedom, equality, and mutual understanding — in short, we learn how to form a true friendship, with all that implies.
And that’s just for starters. There is much more to be learned from this book. Just for example, it contains the best explanation of collection I have ever read, not only of the biomechanics, but particularly of the emotional and spiritual dimensions. There is fascinating information on the many forms of communication, and on how emotions (our own and our horses’) are manifested in posture and movement. And so on…
The back covers of both German editions,and this English one, too, have the “slogan”: “The book that every horse would give his rider.” That’s not hyperbole; that’s truth in advertising. This book really is the one your horse would give you if he could.”
Hi Norbert,
No, I have never heard of the this book. It sounds interesting. I see it hasn’t been out long, have you read it? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts.
It is likely the value such books may be a mind-shift to see the world from the horse’s point of view, or more importantly from inside his skin. Who knows if we will ever truely know what it is to be a horse. They are amazing animals. I am constantly amazed at how they suppress their natural instincts to allow us to do anything with them!
This appears to be what Klaus Hempfling does – taps into the horse on a deep level. What it does to humans watching him work (I have only seen videos, YouTube and read a book), is that it changes human perception, and this I think he manages as he is an infinitely creative person. In my experience, creative people have a different way of experiencing the world. So it would be interesting to know about the author and her background.
Welcome aboard, and thanks for taking the time to point out this book, I will add it to my reading list!
Yes, I have read it in German (my mother tongue) in 2000. I know the books and videos by Hempfling as well. IMHO she is the female counterpart to Klaus. She shows the true female way with the horse, not based on dominance but pure friendship. The comment of her (and Hempflings) translator Mccormack is not exaggerated.
… by the way … Imke Spilker has got a website:
http://www.kommunikativepferde.de/start-en-2.html
Hi Norbert, thanks for sharing that link with us. I see there is more information on the book on that site as well. ; )
My copy of ‘Empowered Horses’ by Imke Spilker has arrived (let’s just call it a Christmas present!). The prelude is fascinating. Thanks for puting me onto it.