VIDEOS

DANCING WITH HORSES  - VIDEO

Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling has a very special relationship with horses, which is both physical and spiritual. He uses body language to communicate, referring to the horse as a 'mirror', which reflects back the inner and outer characteristics conveyed by the body language. This video shows how Klaus deals with shy, fearful horses, and stallions. It is not a "How To" video, but has a mythical, almost magical sense to it. The landscape in the Pyrennes mountains is glorious, and the magnificent horses are ridden without saddles or bridles. The video is  a companion of the book of the same name, which is more instructional and gives the video more meaning.

Reviewer: EWatson

These videos are very good from the point of being able to see what the rider is doing. The explanations are clear and slow with some slow-motion replays. Volumes II and III seem to progress too quickly to be able to apply these gymnastics to a green horse or with a green rider. However, with a well-trained horse and an educated rider the exercises are interesting and challenging. The videos help to improve the rider's overall position as well.

Rating: 7/10 (JHoward) 

KYRA KYRKLUND’S DRESSAGE TRAINING - VIDEOs

Kyra Kyrklund sets the tone for this extraordinary six-part series with a volume on Communication, in which she emphasizes that to train a horse effectively, he needs to understand what we are asking through feel, balance and position, and a logical system of signals or aids. This system is like a ladder horse & rider ‘climb’ as they progress, moving back down for corrections or clarifications, then back up again. Similarly, we must understand what the horse is trying to say, and whether he understands what we are asking. The best partnerships are those in which horse and rider ‘speak the same language’.

Later videos work through balance, work at the trot, then canter, all the way up to the advanced movements of pirouette, passage and piaffe. Watching Kyra glide with supreme lightness  in and out of piaffe and passage on her black Russian stallion, Edinburg, is truly breathtaking.

I highly recommend these videos to horse lovers and dressage enthusiasts – the Kyra’s philosophy and system are unique and provide a wealth of information and much food for thought.

Rating: 10/10 (EWatson)

MARK TODD – 20 YEARS OF CROSS-COUNTRY - VIDEO 

This is a very interesting video chronicling the eventing life of Mark Todd – arguably the finest horseman in recent times. It has excellent footage, along with Mark describing of some of the high and low points of his remarkable career. It is worth watching simply to see the amazing way he copes with riding the toughest cross-course in the world – Badminton – after breaking a stirrup leather early on. Whether you are a die-hard eventing fan, or just appreciate watching a superb rider and wonderful horses, this video is a must-see.

Rating: 9.5/10 (CIannuccilli)

THREE MASTERS – PTS.I, II, III - VIDEO 

No matter what style of riding you do, if you are interested in better understanding the horse to further your training, these videos are for you. These 6 videos feature three of the most respected names in the horse world - Buck Brannaman, George Morris, and Rodney Jenkins – explaining their philosophies while working with different horses and riders during a clinic. While coming from different backgrounds and disciplines, each of them offer a wealth of information in a very entertaining format.

Reviewer: TDickson

YOGA FOR RIDERS - VIDEO 

This video introduces you to a set of simple yoga exercises that relate directly to riding. Exercises to help posture and breathing help the rider stay centered and relaxed, and more focused on the connection between horse and rider. Stretches for the neck, shoulders and hips keep them elastic and soft, those for the lower back, buttocks and legs improve balance and help concentration. Pelvic exercises strengthen and stabilize the seat, allowing for a deeper seat. Warm-up exercises, easily done at the barn, create more fluid movement from the start of the ride, and a short relaxation period at the end of the session lets the rider reflect and visualize the next ride. Excellent!

Reviewer: EWatson