Michaela Hempen

Hi, You are probably wondering when we’ll talk about riding. But before putting a person on our horse’s back, we want to have good leading skills. So in the next emails, we will build those skills. Our horse is now self-haltering and knows how to give to pressure, i.e. she yields to pressure without tension … Read more

Hi, In the last email, I introduced you to the Feldenkrais-inspired lateral flexions and how you can teach it with a your “listening” hands. Using your hands, you get a better FEEL for this very subtle movement. It will make it easier for you to request it with a similar softness through the lead rope … Read more

Hi, In German equitation, we differentiate between various types of bend and flexions. It is difficult to transmit these nuances in English, where all of them are covered by the same term “flexion”. You can differentiate between flexions around the horizontal and vertical axis. A flexion around a horizontal axis includes descriptions such as “behind … Read more

Hi, In the last email we explored how to teach self-haltering. Now we want to take our horse out of the stall. Leading is a skill than needs to be taught. This needs to be emphasised, so let me repeat it: Leading is a skill than needs to be taught.Many people take it for granted … Read more