Dancing with Horses: The Art of Body Language

by Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling

Book Overview

A groundbreaking book on developing trust and harmony between horses and humans through the use of an innovative visual language.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570761841
• ISBN13: 9781570761843
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Publishing
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 2.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.0" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

Fine Horseman Shares Insights

The author is obviously a very fine horseman, and we are fortunate that he chose to share his insights into that tricky business of dominance and leadership. The body language he uses is different from some of the round pen teachers. More importantly, he combines "Obey Me and Love Me" in the same sentence. In some ways, he also teaches us to be better people. If you want to be followed, be someone worthy of being followed. Carry yourself like someone worthy of being followed. His model goes back centuries to the training system of the Knights Templar (disregarding any political considerations). Truly a remarkable horseman and a remarkable book, with many, many illustrations. As a person who works with Thoroughbreds, for whom not much is accomplished by "making them move" because of course that's what they WANT, this book sets forth a possibility that one can lead with dignity and kindness.

Really fantastic magical book for true horse lovers

This book held me absolutely transfixed. It is the best horse instruction book that I have ever seen without doubt. I have recently become the owner of a 4 year old thoroughbred gelding who has been taken out of race training. I spent a long time playing with and getting to known this horse in his paddock before I owned him, and this book has given me superb instruction on how to continue with his development and continue to strengthen our bond day by day.I was becoming very disillusioned with traditional horse training books, which were totally focused on pleasing the rider without any concern for the horse whatsoever. This book is wonderfully visual, very easy to read, very uncluttered and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand horses, because these methods really do work.

Best Guide to Ground Work

I own a challenging horse, and have tried many different systems of ground work with her - Parelli, Lyons, Centered Riding, etc. All of them had some effect, but none have really changed her exciteable nature and dominant attitude.After using some of the exercises in Dancing With Horses, my mare has a totally different attitude. She is much more submissive, much more trusting. It is remarkable.The book is visually beautiful. The photographs are very helpful in demonstrating the exercises, and are very pretty. The instructions in the text are clear. The horses - and the author - are very handsome, so there are aesthetic benefits as well.The author describes a certain exercise, and says it will have a profound effect on the horse. I'm accustomed to marketing hyperbole, so I read it, but took it with a grain of salt. And what he wrote was true. Doing that one exercise made an immediate difference in my horse's attitude.I can't say enough good things about this book. I hope you'll buy it and reap the benefits....Happy trails.

My guide to the new way to communicate with my horse

I have a so called problem horses. He was almost dangerous to handle and not so much interested in me. Now i have found my way to communicate with him without using violence. This book is really easy-to-understand with its advices. On this book there is the Hempfling's key philosophy but you can also find really concrete advices from this book. I really have to say i love Hempflings way to communicate with horses.

Dancing With Horses

I am a former member of the USET 3-Day Team with my horse, The Gray Goose. This book is phenomenal, and is the missing link between natural horsemanship and classical dressage.. Klaus's techniques were learned from Spanish monks who kept alive the traditions of training from the Knights Templar. He emphasizes the person's responsibility in training their horses, and gives clear, consise instructions about how to achieve leadership with horses while maintaining their wonderful spirit and personality. Exercises for both horse and rider are given to achieve oneness in handling and riding, and the spiritual aspect of training is also covered. I have started my own horse over using these techniques, and the effects have been profound and dramatic. I highly recommend this book, and also his video tape of the same name.