Empowered Horses: Learning Their Way Through Independence, Self-Confidence, and Creative Play

by Imke Spilker, Kristina McCormack (Translator)

With illuminating text, this study explains why it is necessary for riders to carefully build a relationship that eliminates the traditional rider-as-oppressor dynamic and instead empowers the horse to behave as an individual. To begin achieving this relationship, riders learn to transform a horse’s work space into “free space” by giving their horse choices; by understanding how horses live and prefer to spend their time; by observing, sensing, and reflecting with the horse; and by using visual language to win the horse’s friendship. The result is a surprising dialogue with the horse that yields an indomitable partnership—unparalleled improvement in the horse’s attitude, health, balance, and movement, as well as mutual enjoyment of what was once the often dull, frustrating grind of daily training lessons.

Genres: Horses

200 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2009

Reviews

[Deanna Lack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed the way I relate to my horses.. by giving them the choice of being with me or not, I have learned so much from them. it changes their attitude entirely. It goes beyond "natural horsemanship" to a place where magic happens: You find that connection, that harmony, that every horseman and woman longs for. I'm not saying there will never be any more problems, but the way they are solved is changed, and you find partnership instead of force and dominion. this way of being may not be for everyone; I am sure it is not. But it is what I have searched for since I began riding 30some years ago.