Customer Reviews

What Horses Reveal: From First Meeting to Friend for Life

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Having so much enjoyed Hempfling's earlier book, I was at first disappointed with this one, as he gives the initial impression of being 'away with the fairies' with his Tarot Pack of equine characters!

I underestimated him. Look just a millimetre below the surface and the fairies fly away leaving clear writing with insightful explanations and suggestions of what might prove to be the most successful direction to go in with a horse of particular character.
Having owned hot-bloods for most of my life, I have been especially helped by some of his suggestions for training cold-blooded, apparently less-reactive types who need different, but even more sensitive, handling if they are not to become the typical riding school 'plod' or descend into lazy stubborness.

The fact that this book is full of beautiful photos only enhances the beauty of Hempfling's work with every type of horse.

I was given this as a gift from my mother. I work with many horses on a daily basis, I learned through experiences that as a flight animal horses need compassion and disclipline, in that order. Hempfling seeks to understand a horse first, which is what this book focuses on. His horse personality type based on conformation irked me at first. I hate to pigonhole an animal, but I have found it to be very accurate. Some humans may take offence to some of his banter about spirituality, but just keep in mind, we all entitled to make our own beliefs based on our own experience. The book is beautifully written, the photographs are stunning. I can't wait to aquire more of his work!

Klaus Hempfling believes that all horses can be divided into 26 types. He has written this book to show these types and how to train each one. There are lengthy descriptions of each type of horse as well as explanations of how to train them in detail so that their individual characteristics can be taken into account. It is a beautifully illustrated book and the DVD that goes with it is worth having as well. The book is fascinating to read and the sort that will be gone back to many times for reference.

I have read both books by Klaus Ferdinand Hempflings. I believe he is a very honest and sharing horse trainer who does a wonderful job of revealing both the proper and gentle methods of horse handling and training. Dancing With Horses will take you from the basics of properly handling your horse to properly sitting and riding your horse.
What Horses Reveal explains the different mind types of horses and how best to deal with them in kindness and understanding.
Both of Hempflings books are well written and do not leave you wondering " now what was he saying " as it is all well explained and simplified.
I feel he has helped me understand why I have got along so well with my horses, horses I have worked with, and other peoples so called problem horses. As a rider and owner of myhorsetack.com I would like to recommend both of his books.
Sincerely, Richard

What strikes me the most about this masterpiece, is that it was written in the first place. What great inspiration and talent one must have to write such a book! How lucky are we that such a book exists!

If you want to learn about yourself, the horses, and the world, this book will be a great asset to your library. The way in which Klaus writes is unmistakably profound and clear. Moreover, what is behind the words is even more important. What Klaus shares in the book is his perspective on the "truth" of not just working with horses, but living life! If something draws you to this book, if a picture in it makes you look at it twice, then your life has already changed in a way. Meaning that you've recognized something profound and even more importantly your soul caught a glimpse of what "could be."

This is a book for horse lovers who choose to go slowly and think through their relationship with their horse rather than to use the common modern style of quick training sessions which result in "push button" horses. I read the book twice before purchasing it. The writing is incredibly informed but sometimes the flow is a little choppy with the choppiness due to the original writing, not to the translation which is excellent. The many different interpretations of horses' characters is sometimes tough to follow, however, learning to see horses from such a perspective throws a whole new light on how you can relate to your own horse. I've developed relationships with the several horses I deal with that are more trusting and respectful. In the real world, to pinpoint the exact character type for each horse is difficult too, but I can see indications that greatly help with my understanding of them. If you can appreciate the wide, whole life approach, that Hempfling uses here, you will get a lot out of this book. It works down to this truth: "a horse's devotion is simple, it nourishes as matter of factly, as unconditionally, as the earth does." Besides all this, the photographs are fantastic. I also purchased his other book Dancing with Horses. It's equally as valuable a tool in relating to your horse.Dancing with Horses

I was hoping to gain some valuable insights from this book. I don't expect that every book I read will jump from one valuable new idea to the next; I just hope that I can pick up one or two ideas from each. This book disappointed me.

For instance, I was most looking forward to reading about the "26 Character Groups," the promise being that "every horse will be found in one of these character groups." However, upon close reading, I saw that he also refers to certain individuals as blends between several of the groups; in my opinion, at that point you no longer have 26 groups and you are back where you started.

I also was disappointed that so many of the character groups were what he termed "not riding horses." I have seen some excellent animals that appear to fall into these groups. He seems to be a fan of Spanish horses, and doesn't have much use for some of the other groups. In many cases his objection is to the conformation, particularly to the structure of the back. I agree that some horses have their problems, but a light, good rider can help these horses to overcome their weaknesses. Perhaps our disagreement is due to the fact that I enjoy working through problems with horses, and his comments may be directed toward people who prefer to just go out for quiet trail rides; if that is the case then, yes, some horses are to be avoided.

If you are a fan of the...(I'm trying to be kind) "sensitive" style of horse training then this book may be of interest. However, if you want well-grounded specific concepts and plans then I give five stars to DRESSAGE WITH KYRA, by Kyra Kirklund.

Mr. Hempfling sets forth for us many "character types" and his recommendations for training those character types. A man of extraordinary insight has created a landmark work, for those who are ready to receive it.

This book was a great addition to my collection. I am a breeder of Andalusians (PRE) and lived for years in southern Spain (Andalucia). This book provided a unique and different insight into this superb animal.

I didn't care for Hempflings' writing style. He had some good things to say but it was all over the place. He rambles about his mystical ideas and is a bit prideful. This said, I appreciate his general message that horses react to gentle methods and don't need an alpha human to control them.
Maybe I'm biased becasue I was so turned off when he interpreted the Cain and Abel story as being about one person with a duel personality?!? What's this got do with horse methods... I don't recall now...something about shepherds. He overstepped the bounds when he tries to change the Bible.

The 26 character groups is a bit much don't ya think? Human learning styles experts usually get down to 4 basic types (some 8 or 16 when examined in detail but 26, come on!) HOw many people know 26 horses personally?

I much prefer Mark Rashid's conversational writing style and easy-to-understand, commonsense methods.