© 2004 Andy Curry All Rights Reserved
The more I listen to others, read books on
subject, look at different articles, and watch and listen to tapes, more I discover how different people claim their methods of horse training are correct ones.
I often find one trainer will adamantly oppose a technique where another will adamantly swear by its effectiveness. Even more interesting, each has his or her own reasons why.
On one hand, I find it fascinating that trainers think their way is truly correct way. On other hand, I get a sick feeling in my stomach when I think other people are persuaded to believe those trainers who push their methods as "the only one".
Why?
Because I've discovered a percentage of horse owner population think what they learned is all that's available. The problem with that is this: Not every horse will respond to technique in same way. Then, a different approach is needed. If horse handler doesn't know another technique, he is now limited to knowing something that doesn't always work.
But why wouldn't a trainer believe his is correct? After all, if it works for him then it IS correct...for him.
Personally, I don't subscribe to any one trainer's ways completely. For example, if trainer "John Doe" taught his method and said "do it just like this" chances are I wouldn't. I have my own things that work and some them are similar to or same as what John Doe does.
I'm a BIG advocate of learning all you can from everyone who has something good to show you. Never, never, never learn one person's techniques and be satisfied. If you do, you will miss out on some of neatest techniques ever. You limit yourself and what you could REALLY do.
Although I push what I know, I'll be first to admit I don't know it all and that you MUST learn all you can.
Even if you learn different ways, then you must proceed with caution because some of things you learn will seem hard to grasp. Sometimes, they'll seem unreachable. At times, they'll seem ridiculous.
Let me cite a couple examples.
A while back, I ordered a video of a trainer from Germany. His name is Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling. The video is called "Coming Together".
Unfortunately, this video is more than a bit abstract. It doesn't teach a whole lot but what it does teach is a bit unusual.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not putting down video. Actually, I kind of enjoyed it. Still, when it was over, I felt like I was left hanging.
This trainer uses his body to establish leadership, friendship, and trust. Briefly, he describes what he does but you don't really get how it all fits together.
Clearly, horses he works with have a connection with him. But his style of training is quite unorthodox compared to much of what I've seen and read.
Could average horse owner do what he does and do it effectively? I'd have to say "no" because his methods would require him to be right there with you for weeks (months?) training trainer. Not only that, much of what Hempfling explained on tape seemed so abstract. It wasn't easy understanding all his principles.
The worse part is once you've watched this you may think to yourself you could never do what he does so why try to be a horse trainer. That's one of things that worry me about aspiring horse owners and trainers.
They see someone getting results with horses using seemingly "not from this world" techniques. Then they silently say to themselves, "What's use...I could never do that."
Luckily, there are powerful alternatives. I'll explain in a minute or two.
Another I've studied is a man named Henry Blake. Blake is from Ireland (I think) and grew up with horses all his life. He claims to have a gift with horses that transcend human understanding. After reading his book, I am inclined to agree with him.
