My apologize, for writing some lines out of my normally quiete corner. Firstly it is very interesting to see Mr Hempfling "flourishing" in The States now - he left Germany in some hurry. To say the least Mr Hempfling like many other "whisperers" prefer NOT to work with true ponies. Technics and strategies, which normally impress most Iberian horses will make a pony grin - that is one of the problems for them.
As far as I can see the idea about a "flight instinct" in all equines might be the result of misinterpretated early behavioural research. In some older German books about horse-behaviour you'll read, that equines will flee everything smaller on 4 legs- including humans- because of the in-build memory of the wolf. My own trials to play the wolf resulted in amused ( Icelandic and Fell )ponies, strange dogs will be chased and, as a friend told me, in some cases not fled but killed. Barbara
