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THE ROBERT VAVRA COLLECTION

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HISTORY

FOR THE HORSEMANS EYE AND SOUL

Advising that even the slightest movement by either horse or human conveys powerful information, the author shows how to use body language to communicate with the horse. He asserts that if effective communication is established, a horse will retain all of its natural grace and elegance when ridden. Hempfling's methods are based on conventional classic horsemanship, yet are infused with refreshing holistic and spiritual principles all conveyed in an accessible text and over 400 color photos. 

This book describes and depicts, with the many color photos, very practical exercises to practice with the horse. The basis for the work is communication with the body. We ask you not to begin the individual exercises until you have read the book to the end. That way, with a better understanding and a fuller overview, you will master the assignments more easily and perform them more precisely. 

Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling presents clinics and demonstrations throughout Europe where his methods have been embraced by hundreds of thousands. He lives in the mountains of Spain where he spends his time studying and training horses. 
 

This book wants to transmit understanding, not boring grey theory. He who seeks understanding will always try to see the whole picture. In our western civilization there is a tendency to continually break down the whole into smaller pieces. So, there are many more people who know more and more about less and less. The whole - humanity, nature, creation, life - however falls by the wayside. 

In this book, we are studying a very primal phenomenon: the interaction of two sentient beings. That is nature, pure nature. If we begin to break this down, pick it apart into small pieces, we risk loosing sight of that which is most important. 

What though, is the "whole",  the essence of riding? Very simply, it is communication and balance. The horse has four legs and is incredibly strong. When I swing myself onto his back, there has to be a way to communicate, otherwise, obviously, the whole thing is no fun. One possible method of communication is, for example, the rude use of whip and rein but, on closer examination, we realize that this is a very primitive, simplistic and, ultimately, not very effective form of communication. 
 

If I am somehow successful in communicating with the horse, this primal creature, and we can begin to move off together and are more or less agreed on the general direction, suddenly everything begins to rock, and the beautiful harmony of the horse's movement is lost. He stumbles along, unsure, insecure and experiences me as no great enrichment to his life. So, another problem has arisen - The Equilibrium of Shared Balance -  but it is no more than that. 

Riding, from my point of view, is very simple. I am not just saying that, I mean it. Have you ever noticed how quickly small children learn to ride? Do you know why? Because they do not think on one track as much as adults do. They still use their original body language and are therefore possessed of a basic form of communication. Also, they still have their basic feel for movement and balance. Children show us that everyone can ride because it is one of the most basic and natural things in the world. 

With my courses, it is not so much about learning something new but rather about unlearning many things so that you can find your way back to what you once possessed: a basic feeling for your body, a basic form of archetypal communication, the ability to sense and express tempo, rhythm, and balance. It is also about rediscovering and developing your natural self-assurance, self-determination and sense of self-preservation. 

Interaction with a horse is one of the most basic of all acts, which is why we must go back to our own basic, original self. It is not all that difficult and, if we do it, things we thought impossible become very possible indeed. 

So, let us keep our eye on the whole as we slowly approach our theme and ask ourselves: how can I make myself understood by my horse? What are the possible choices for communicating with him? What assumptions underlie each choice and, above all, when is communication even possible?