The Ponyakademie philosophy

The equestrian art, perhaps more than any other, is closely related to the wisdom of life. Many of the same principles may be applied as a line of conduct to follow.


The horse teaches us self-control, constancy, and the ability to understand what goes on in the mind and the feelings of another creature, qualities that are important throughout our lives.

 

Alois Podhajsky

 

 

 

 

 

 

How children learn

Principles of conduct towards each other:

Scientific tests have established that successful learning and personal development can only take place when the teacher-student relationship is good. In our case the horse as the third player in the group also plays an important role in that relationship.

 

Acceptation Everyone has a right to self-development.
Appreciation Every child is a valuable person with its own characteristic traits and weaknesses.
Affiliation We share our wishes and feelings with you.
Boundaries There are certain actions we don’t tolerate.
Liveliness Everyone has the chance to make their own choices and decisions. (Which is necessary for children in order to make their own experiences.)
Reliability We do as we say, not just now but also in the future.

 

Relational messages conveyed by the horse:

Attention Horses seek human contact.
Boundaries Horses teach us to set boundaries and to accept them.
Definiteness Horses always clearly and promptly express their emotions through body language.
Sincerity Horses accept every human being the way they are.

 

 

 


Ethical principles of horse friends

Published under the German title “Ethische Grundsätze des Pferdefreundes” by the German National Equestrian Federation (FN)“ in 1995.

 

  1. Whoever deals with a horse shall assume the responsibility for the living creature which has been entrusted to him.

  2. Horses shall be kept in conditions that are in keeping with their natural needs.

  3. Regardless of the purpose of its use, the horse's physical and psychological health must be regarded as being of the utmost importance.

  4. Humans are to respect all horses equally, regardless of breed, age and sex, and irrespective of their use in breeding, leisure or sports.

  5. All knowledge of the horse's history, its needs, as well as its treatment is a historical and cultural treasure, which is to be preserved and transmitted to future generations.

  6. Any interaction with horses contributes to an important degree to the development of the personality, especially in young individuals. This importance should always be recognised and promoted.

  7. Any individual who engages in sports activities in partnership with the horse shall submit the horse entrusted to him/her to appropriate training, with the objective of developing the utmost harmony between human and horse.

  8. The use of the horse in high performance sport or in general riding, driving and vaulting sports shall be determined according to its natural talents, performance aptitude and willingness to perform. Any influence on the horse's performance ability through the use of drugs or un-horsemanship-like actions on the part of the human must be rejected and sanctioned.

  9. The responsibility of humans toward the horses with whom they have been entrusted also covers the end of the horse's life. This responsibility must always be assumed in the best interest of the horse.