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(More customer reviews)There is not another horse book on the market which offers the education, and world, contained in Empowered Horses. I want to get this review right, because many things have changed for me directly, and only, as a result of reading this book. Having begun to apply its contents with my horse has caused a transformation that is real and exciting; there has emerged a common language between horses and me to which I'd been deaf and blind before--I can very honestly say my horse is greatly relieved. Everything, everything, has changed for my horse, simply because this one book shattered previous notions and given me enlightenment and tools. I must interrupt myself here and say that I am incredibly, deeply grateful to Imke Spilker for managing to share her knowledge and philosophies--and those of her horses--with the rest of us through her writing. And thank you SO MUCH to Kris McCormack for translating this book, quite beautifully, so that it is available to English readers like me.
Like many people, I have been on a long journey to improve my relationship to my horse. Long ago I'd progressed away from conventional training and been enamored with many of the more "natural" methods of training and communication, and over time had witnessed dramatic improvements in how my horse and I worked together. One later favorite was Hempfling's "Dancing with Horses," also translated by McCormack. I have also been a follower of the radically different equine philosophies and sciences introduced by Alexander Nevzorov. I think of myself as very humane, and I'd have described myself as deeply connected to my horse's inner nature. Then I read Imke Spilker's book (first in manuscript form of the translation) and lights went on all over the place. Every now and again in life something comes along that creates an awakening, defining a clear "before" and "after." Before, I wanted my horse to understand me and my desires, and whenever he did we'd work together harmoniously. Now (after), I have learned to better understand my horse--to even WISH to understand my horse, and by appreciating his intellect and following his lead, we actually are in harmony--in a way which could never have been possible "before" in such a one-sided relationship. My horse, who I'd always known is smart, is SO much smarter than I knew; he is also compassionate, happy and fun, full of ideas and lessons for me on how he wants to work his body, on what games are meaningful to him. The reward is that my beloved "friend" (slave) has become my beloved friend (truly). Along with this, my horse--being given the chance to help show me how to improve his training--is displaying for me what his body is capable of. His movements are prouder, rounder and more athletic than anything he has expressed in the past, and we work together in pure delight. It is CRAZY that, after 14 years with this one animal, I am finally discovering him. He's been there the whole time, just waiting for me to be able to see.
Can I recommend this book highly enough? Never. Imke combines intelligence, sensitivity and wisdom into a text that is more revealing with each reading. And all the while we the readers are free to make up our own minds and do with the information as we will--it is a rare equine author who does not preach, condescend, or try to control or self-promote on some level. Imke manages to teach by sharing and guide by example, and releases us into our own intelligence and desire to figure out what it all can mean to us and our horses. And PS: you will fall in love with many of our equine guides in the book, as if you've grown to know them personally. The book is educational, profound and endearing to boot--do not hesitate to purchase a copy for yourself. The happily ever "after" will blow your mind.
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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.
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