Well, this thread has certainly taken on a familiar tone.
I feel as if I’m reading, “Tales from the Traveling Reverend Allan Maestro.”
Well, this thread has certainly taken on a familiar tone.
I feel as if I’m reading, “Tales from the Traveling Reverend Allan Maestro.”
If you need any brain bleach watch some of the vids that @SummerRose posted. The Dan James 6 horse one at Del Mar National is delightful.
It will be dangerous for most people - I don’t suggest anybody does. But it is the same kind of spookines you see in this video controlled and resolved. Which is exceptional.
Thank you for the discussion and for keeping so far in a language that allows communication, at least to the most part.
To solve another mystery which seem to bother some - I am not a native English speaker - not sure what this has to do with the topic.
I will certainly watch the videos you proposed later today and respond in more detail in a few hours.
Sorry, I don’t see anything in the video that’s exceptional…
Since you don’t ride, you may not be aware of the fact that the average competent amateur rider works through much worse resistances, spooks, bucks, etc on a constant basis. Obviously if things are going well, these incidents become much less over time. But the pissy refusal in that video, which is anger and not fear, is pretty much a nothing on the scale of working through resistances on a green horse.
Spend some time on the training forums here and read the threads where people discuss training issues.
From my riding experience when an average spare time rider or an ok-trainer works throuhgt the spooky/resistant horse issues it looks different. And the difference is that it is trial and error - nobody can say for sure that whatever the horse will do they can control it in 100% peacfull manner. This person can do that and to me this is the immense differnce to anybody else.
As the discussion here became quite extensive and related to the work of the man (not mentioning the name) I had the sensation that I have to inform the team that has been putting the original post about this developmet.
To my big suprise they have been bringing to the attention of the person we are so passionalety discsuccing and critising in this thread and he has published his option to that on the FB page. Explaining himself what the scene in the last video is showing and why this is different. This is rather unexpected to me since the comments here are surely not positive and they are well aware of that.
I put the text here - to make it easier for you to read:
" An Exciting Discussion on KFH at a Horse Forum
Dear friends, we wanted to share with you an interesting discussion taking place on the horse forum page [The Chronicle Of The Horse] regarding Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling (KFH). We received an email highlighting this discussion. While the format of the discussion may not be particularly sophisticated, we found the content to be intriguing. Various clips featuring Klaus were posted, including the famous Janosch clip where he is seen in front of a dry river. This clip serves as a clear demonstration of the power of body language when riding (We’ve uploaded the clip here for those who don’t know it and for everyone else’s refresher).
In the uncut scene, a few key points become evident:
Klaus consistently provides the horse with an opportunity to express itself, even when the horse is protesting, as Janosch does in this particular instance. Klaus emphasizes that he does not want horses to become soulless machines or robots through coercive training methods. He values preserving the horse’s dignity completely, treating the horse-human relationship with the same respect as human-to-human interactions. This approach is built on trust and sets Klaus apart from others in the field.
Remarkably, Klaus sits on the unruly horse without any saddle or reins and, purely through body language, convinces the opposing horse, with which he journeys through the untamed wilderness of Spain, to overcome a daunting obstacle.
Curious about the entire situation, we reached out to Klaus for his perspective. He expressed, “I must admit that I feel very little of what I have been describing for the past 30 years in my book ‘Dancing with Horses’ has been truly understood or implemented. This Janosch clip serves as proof for me. It’s not just someone showcasing dressage without reins in a controlled environment; rather, it captures a spontaneously filmed scene from a real event in the wild that, in my opinion, remains unmatched to this day. I say this not out of immodesty but as a reflection on the current equestrian scene, which, in my eyes, has not yet achieved what I demonstrated three decades ago. I believe there is still a long way to go before my approach, characterized by ‘non-training’ and pure communication through human charisma, personality, and body control, can be fully embraced. It is worth noting that this scene unfolded just a year into my journey with horses, building on my prior experiences.”
We invite you to share your thoughts on this matter in the comments section of this post. We genuinely appreciate constructive expressions of opinion while maintaining a respectful tone. Thank you for your support.
The KFH Team"
As the discussion here became quite extensive and related to the work of the man (not mentioning the name) I had the sensation that I have to inform the team that has been putting the original post about this developmet.
To my big suprise they have been bringing to the attention of the person we are so passionalety discsuccing and critising in this thread and he has published his option to that on the FB page.
So you admit that this is just a promotional post.
Anyone remember Nevzorov, the “Haute Ecole “master”” who decried anyone who rode in a bridle and could apparently teach all the high school elements with just a cordeo. Then images appeared of what he REALLY schooled with: shank bridle and nice big old rowel spurs.
He got out of horses after he got sick of not getting all the attention.
Nevzorov in reality
It would be a very bad propomotion if it was - don’t you think so? Besides it is clearly not the audience, isn’t it?
We are having rather different opinions and I do at this point find it rather interesting to explore your perception of this work.
I don’t find the comparison to Nevzorov relevant - I have not seen the photos you shared but I can’t say that I surprised. The difference between these two people is so insanely large that I won’t go into the details of it.
Would you have any comments to his (not mentioning the name as suggested) answer?
“To my big surprise…”
I doubt that and I’m certain “the KFH team” has been aware of this post from the beginning. I am not a young man and I have seen many supposed horse gurus come and go, all who happen to have the same insistence that horses cannot be trained or communicated with unless one does their method.
It’s nonsense.
Besides it is clearly not the audience, isn’t it?
You got that right. No one is impressed.
I find the comparison relevant. I’m comparing two people who both claim to have new clothes, and find both of them to be less-than-dressed.
I read Hempfling’s book and saw his video years ago. He wasn’t impressive then either. I rate him about as highly as Kevin PonyBoy.
I’m having kellydressage flashbacks!
Reading about ‘non-training’ and using ‘human charisma’ for ‘pure communication,’ for some reason, reminded me of watching a Bear Grylls show where he’s ‘lost’ in the mountains and comes across a ‘wild’ horse grazing in a meadow, which he tries to ‘tame.’
Google to the rescue – I found the clip on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXlkobz3ZwE
I don’t know which Bear Grylls moment is my absolute favourite – this one, or the one where he’s navigating the mountains in winter conditions, comes across some wooden skis (as you do), then pisses on the bottom of the skis, because that apparently works as well as skins for touring uphill. Apparently.
ETA: I don’t go out of my way to watch this stuff, but a pub I was regularly going to often had ‘Man v. Wild’ playing on the tele on nights we were there. It’s not my fault!
As the discussion here became quite extensive and related to the work of the man (not mentioning the name) I had the sensation that I have to inform the team that has been putting the original post about this developmet.
To my big suprise they have been bringing to the attention of the person we are so passionalety discsuccing and critising in this thread and he has published his option to that on the FB page. Explaining himself what the scene in the last video is showing and why this is different. This is rather unexpected to me since the comments here are surely not positive and they are well aware of that.I put the text here - to make it easier for you to read:
" An Exciting Discussion on KFH at a Horse Forum
Dear friends, we wanted to share with you an interesting discussion taking place on the horse forum page [The Chronicle Of The Horse] regarding Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling (KFH). We received an email highlighting this discussion. While the format of the discussion may not be particularly sophisticated, we found the content to be intriguing. Various clips featuring Klaus were posted, including the famous Janosch clip where he is seen in front of a dry river. This clip serves as a clear demonstration of the power of body language when riding (We’ve uploaded the clip here for those who don’t know it and for everyone else’s refresher).
In the uncut scene, a few key points become evident:
Klaus consistently provides the horse with an opportunity to express itself, even when the horse is protesting, as Janosch does in this particular instance. Klaus emphasizes that he does not want horses to become soulless machines or robots through coercive training methods. He values preserving the horse’s dignity completely, treating the horse-human relationship with the same respect as human-to-human interactions. This approach is built on trust and sets Klaus apart from others in the field.
Remarkably, Klaus sits on the unruly horse without any saddle or reins and, purely through body language, convinces the opposing horse, with which he journeys through the untamed wilderness of Spain, to overcome a daunting obstacle.
Curious about the entire situation, we reached out to Klaus for his perspective. He expressed, “I must admit that I feel very little of what I have been describing for the past 30 years in my book ‘Dancing with Horses’ has been truly understood or implemented. This Janosch clip serves as proof for me. It’s not just someone showcasing dressage without reins in a controlled environment; rather, it captures a spontaneously filmed scene from a real event in the wild that, in my opinion, remains unmatched to this day. I say this not out of immodesty but as a reflection on the current equestrian scene, which, in my eyes, has not yet achieved what I demonstrated three decades ago. I believe there is still a long way to go before my approach, characterized by ‘non-training’ and pure communication through human charisma, personality, and body control, can be fully embraced. It is worth noting that this scene unfolded just a year into my journey with horses, building on my prior experiences.”
We invite you to share your thoughts on this matter in the comments section of this post. We genuinely appreciate constructive expressions of opinion while maintaining a respectful tone. Thank you for your support.
The KFH Team"
I’m shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, that this discussion is being highlighted on the guru’s FB page. What a COINCIDENCE.
Marketing 101.
I never saw it coming!
Book sales must be down.
Now is a great time to remind our gentle readers that I posted the link to a free online copy of said book on Archive.org further up, no need to get out the magic plastic!
Meh likes and views are likes and views to those in social media chasing that sort of thing.
It’s been explained multiple times that the horse in the video you showed isn’t scared but rather annoyed or bothered.
So please understand this. Most of us on this board are extremely educated in horse behaviour. Time to catch up.
Also dying you invited ppl to CoTH to discuss.
Got the popcorn on hand.
You might be interested in reading “Adventures Unbridled” by Moyra Williams (published 1960).
Watching this latest video I noticed that he seemed to be giving hand aids on the withers. Moyra Williams developed a system of hand aids on the withers in her system of bitless/bridleless riding.
Since this book is ancient history there are no videos that I know of showing Moyra Williams riding bitless.
Moyra Williams developed these aids well enough and trained her horses (one a chestnut TB mare) to show (open jumping), do lengthy trail rides, hunt and ride out in open fields.
Reading this book will give you a different viewpoint on the possible relationships between horse and rider. Though I have never ridden bitless using her system reading her book has influenced my relationships with horses, how I ride and how I train them for over 50 years.
The video showed me a very unhappy and resistant horse who was having difficulties with following the aids of his rider. The hand (knuckle) aids on the withers look rather forceful and strong to me, and the horse is expressing discomfort, enough discomfort so it cannot move smoothly while obeying his rider.
This is totally off the topic and no intention being unkind. But…
Every time I see this guys name it makes me laugh. Keeps me thinking of Heffalumps and Woozles and is like an earworm reciting Dr Suess in my head, signing songs from the Grinch…and I cant make it stop.
You keep saying it is promotional and that posting it on the FB prooves it. Are you serious? He is sending people from his 1.8miilion follower page to see this conversation which is to 99% critical in a very questionable tone - don’t you think that this is brave? People would normally to everything to hide this sort of discussion on their account.
The video showed me a very unhappy and resistant horse who was having difficulties with following the aids of his rider. The hand (knuckle) aids on the withers look rather forceful and strong to me, and the horse is expressing discomfort, enough discomfort so it cannot move smoothly while obeying his rider.
As described in the post to this video the horse is allowed to freely express himself - and is not behaving as trained robot. There is a communication between the horse and the rider and the horse is finally agreeing to follow the path chosen by the rider.
To answer some of your comments of what one can see in this video - here is one that was included with the last text - the scene we discuss here and more bridleless riding in wilderness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ud8v6y3Sh4&ab_channel=KlausF.Hempfling
And here are some comments from the FB page - what would you reply to this people, which I am fully agreeing with? Maybe you should bring your opinion there to see how this is recieved.
" I dream that one day horses, all horses, will be ridden and respected like that and like Mr. K-F Hempfling describes in his books. I don’t have the means to follow Mr K-F Hempfling’s training live but I thank him for showing the paths that will lead us to be WITH the horses. I found someone in France who teaches respect and a caring approach to horses in the person of Marie Madec, for whom Mr. K-F Hempfling is a source of inspiration. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to you Mr. K-F Hempfling for sharing with us your presence and your love of horses and for helping humans to move towards this. !"
“Dancing with Horses taught me so much that it is a fantastic book. Also the videos on You Tube are great reference points too.”
“With the state of the equestrian/equine world today, it will a long time before any changes such as KFH suggests or recommends take place…the greater part of the equestrian world today is about making money through horses, only a very small part of that world is open to suggestion and change to make the lives of horses better and more fulfilling. The quality of horse’s existence at work or play is rarely a factor…what we recently experienced in the USA with the death of 4 horses at one race in the first leg of the triple crown is proof of that. You can see it for yourself at any dressage or Jumper show…angry horses performing like circus clowns, bad saddling and harsh equipment…and all this rewarded by a judging system that rewards riders for who they are, not for what they are doing…a sad state of affairs…like I said before, sadly, it will be a long time when and if changes are ever made…(A Canadian perspective)”