Dancing with Horses: The Art of Body Language

Dancing with Horses: The Art of Body Language
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For master trainer Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, work with horses is comparable to dancing. The primary obligation of riding, he explains, is to maintain the horse's powerful and elegant movement under saddle. Improper training compromises the horse’s naturally joyful steps with confusing commands; a horse moves with extraordinary grace only if the request is effectively communicated.

In this demonstration, Hempfling teaches us the language of horses. Advising that even the slightest movement conveys powerful information, Hempfling shows how to use body language to communicate. He demonstrates his methods on wild Pyrenees stallions that are, within minutes, transformed into tame, willing partners-nevertheless retaining all their spirit. As Hempfling insists, when the trainer uses language the horse can understand, the horse’s movement "will always be beautiful, from the first lesson on".

Topics Include
  • The broad kaleidoscope of body language between people and horses
  • The means and the goals of body language
  • The steps to training a horse: playing, groundwork, and riding without a bridle

Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling is an artist, designer, and photographer. He lives in Denmark where he offers courses and workshops.

Trainer: Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling

Added to Collection: 01/10/2008
Run time: 50 mins

Genres: Natural Horsemanship

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