Philosophy

Horses are masters of body expression, feeling and perception. They live in a world of sensory stimuli and think in pictures, sounds and smells. Consequently, building a connection with a horse is a wonderful thing that also teaches us a lot about ourselves. Florian Oberparleiter would like to support you in this process.

On this page, you will learn more about Florian’s philosophy in dealing with horses.

Connection vs. Training

A connection between human and horse is based on body expression, inner rhythm and feel. As a result, the more synchronized horse and human become, the deeper the connection.

Such a connection between human and horse is independent of the horse’s level of training or the discipline we practice. The connection between a raw horse and an empathetic human can be much deeper than between highly conditioned animals and their trainers.

Therefore, when we become aware of our own body expression and that of the horse, we have the chance to build a connection with the horse early on. Maintaining this connection in further training is Florian’s big goal.

Connection vs. Training

A connection between human and horse is based on body expression, inner rhythm and feel. As a result, the more synchronized horse and human become, the deeper the connection.

Such a connection between human and horse is independent of the horse’s level of training or the discipline we practice. The connection between a raw horse and an empathetic human can be much deeper than between highly conditioned animals and their trainers.

Therefore, when we become aware of our own body expression and that of the horse, we have the chance to build a connection with the horse early on. Maintaining this connection in further training is Florian’s big goal.

Horsemanship on the Ground

According to Florian, communication between horse and human begins on the ground. Through sensitive groundwork it is especially easy to build up a connection to the horse and what is learned here can be used later in riding.

However, it is very important to Florian to find the right amount of groundwork. Horses have different preferences. For instance, some horses enjoy groundwork, others prefer riding. There are also horses that love liberty work and others that do not.

Florian wants to create a foundation on the ground for all horses. However, he only practices advanced groundwork with those horses that enjoy it. Because only then can ease and joy develop.

Communication While Riding

When riding, the visual part of communication is replaced by a physical connection. It is of little relevance to the horse whether we are English or Western riders, whether we are competitive or recreational riders. Rather, what counts is how we use the physical connection.

Every horse is capable of reacting to the most subtle changes in our aids. However, we often do not give it the chance to do so. We tend to always pull on the reins the same way, to always drive in a similar way or to sit in the same way.

Florian shows you how to sensitize your horse to your aids. Learn to reward correct approaches with pinpoint accuracy. Give the horse motivations to respond to less. Learn to refine your seat and use it as a key communication tool. As well as, discover the power of your attitude, thoughts, and body awareness also when riding.

By sensitizing the horse, riding without aids such as saddle and reins becomes possible on the long run from time to time. Florian likes to demonstrate riding at liberty with his own horses. However, this is not everyone’s cup of tea, nor is it necessary! More importantly, is how we use our aids and whether we are in harmony with the horse.

Experience the World Like a Horse

What would it be like to be a horse? Florian has asked himself this question for many years.

Horses experience their surroundings in a very different way from humans. They live in a world of sensory stimuli and think in pictures, sounds and smells. In addition, horses are equipped with particularly sharp sensory organs and have the ability to perceive subtle changes in their environment. The differences in how humans and horses perceive the world are the reason for many conflicts between both species.

The better we can understand the perception of our horse, the better we can adapt our assistance that we give to the horse. The power of empathy is available to every one of us, but most people have never learned to use it systematically. Florian helps you to use the power of empathy through both reason and feel, and thus you will be able to experience the world a little bit like a horse.

Experience the World Like a Horse

What would it be like to be a horse? Florian has asked himself this question for many years.

Horses experience their surroundings in a very different way from humans. They live in a world of sensory stimuli and think in pictures, sounds and smells. In addition, horses are equipped with particularly sharp sensory organs and have the ability to perceive subtle changes in their environment. The differences in how humans and horses perceive the world are the reason for many conflicts between both species.

The better we can understand the perception of our horse, the better we can adapt our assistance that we give to the horse. The power of empathy is available to every one of us, but most people have never learned to use it systematically. Florian helps you to use the power of empathy through both reason and feel, and thus you will be able to experience the world a little bit like a horse.

Empathy Through Reason

How does thinking work without language?
Are there any consequences for horses living in the moment? And if so, what?
What kind of experiences has the horse had up until now?
In which way do the things we confront the horse with act to the horse?

With our analytical minds we are able to answer these questions. It enables us to empathize with the horse rationally and reconstruct his point of view.

Empathy Through Feel

Many horses suffer from the circumstance that humans hardly make use of their sensitivity. We often stick to a technique or method, even though the horse lets us feel that we cause damage with it. Many times, there is a contradiction between what we demand of the horse and what we make it feel through our energy.

Therefore, if we unfold our feel, we can overcome this problem. Not conditioning, but only empathizing through feel, makes it possible to build up a connection with horses.

Combination of Reason and Feel

On the one hand, if we use more reason than feel when dealing with horses, training stays empty. Horses cut themselves off, appear empty, and have a pale expression. On the other hand, if we use more feel than reason, we often do not use our full potential. Some people remain in one of these two areas. Others get stuck in between and proceed neither systematically nor feelingly.

The better we can connect the power of our feel with the power of our reason, the easier the path to the horse will be for us. What we need is the will to work on ourselves.

Time and Continuity

Challenges with the horse can be overcome at different rates. By breaking things down into small steps and eliminating communication difficulties, a good result can often be achieved impressively quickly.

However, it can and may take longer! Florian shows what we can achieve with our horse if we give it the time it needs. This applies to young horses as well as older horses. Especially with undesirable behaviors that have become entrenched over years, you need time and continuity. Also deepening the relationship between horse and human also takes time to grow.

Instead of forcing things to happen, Florian tries to let them happen – even if it sometimes takes longer.

Horsemanship vs. Equipment

You can’t buy sensitivity, empathy and the right way to handle a horse. The will to work on ourselves is the key to the horse. Equipment can only be supportive when dealing with horses. It cannot replace good horsemanship. Therefore, Florian always puts the correct handling of horses first.

However, if we are willing to get involved with the horse and give our best, good equipment can help us. As a result, Florian has spent many years developing equipment that is particularly horse-friendly. With his Soft-Line, for example, he has succeeded in ensuring that painful impacts are banned from groundwork.

You can find more about Florian’s equipment here.

„I have seen excellent work with horses that was done with rather bad equipment. And I know very bad handling of horses that is done with pretty good equipment. We have to therefore make sure to see equipment as support, as facilitation of our handling and never as a substitute for good horsemanship.“

Florian Oberparleiter

„I have seen excellent work with horses that was done with rather bad equipment. And I know very bad handling of horses that is done with pretty good equipment. We have to therefore make sure to see equipment as support, as facilitation of our handling and never as a substitute for good horsemanship.“

Florian Oberparleiter