To be honest, I was a bit sceptical about it at first. I even found it a little amusing, to put it mildly, when I saw someone rolling around in the hall muck or putting a knotted, worn T-shirt on horse droppings, not to mention the snorting noises... I have been surrounded by horses for a good 40 years, have trained them and have been able to communicate with them quite well. This book actually uses the "real" horse language. So that we don't humanise the horse, but we humanise ourselves. As I like to try things out by nature, I went straight to work. I have a very dominant gelding who was laid in 2015 at the age of 6. I had actually hoped that I could socialise him as a stallion with other geldings. Unfortunately, that didn't work out at all and so I decided to have him laid. Unfortunately, you still can't put him out to pasture with other geldings. Even in the neighbouring pasture, no males are allowed, otherwise he will go through the fence. He doesn't even shy away from electric fencing (house current device), but stands fully in the fence and simply endures the electric shocks. He is also not easy to handle. For example, he doesn't give his hooves to strangers or people he doesn't know (which can be very problematic at the farrier's). He constantly asks about the rules of horse language. If you miss his almost imperceptible gestures, you're in a bad position. He has the whole repertoire of horse language down pat. Lapping, rolling, not wanting to give way, ignoring, jumping caprioles with hindquarters towards humans... and much more. I was aware that horses mark and "read the newspaper" when they see other horses' droppings, but I didn't realise that it was beneficial to join in. Same with the rolling. To cut a long story short, after a huge protest on his part, attacking and freaking out that I actually have a say when he says something, he now (after about 2 weeks) accepts my equine objections more and more and even allows me to roll without grumbling. The last time we had a dialogue in the arena, he didn't even roll around. It's worth trying ;)

For years I was looking for a way to understand my horse and gain access to his emotional world. But no riding instructor, horse whisperer or horsemanship trainer had really been able to help me. Until I came across Gertrud Pysall's books by chance and immediately bought them and literally devoured them! That was it! At last! Gertrud Pysall had managed to do exactly what nobody had managed to do before! To decode the language of horses with all its facets and to give people the opportunity to enter into a dialogue with every horse! I wanted to know more and attended a six-day seminar with Gertrud Pysall. In this short time I learnt a lot of vocabulary, rituals and rules that horses use to communicate with each other. I was able to test my new knowledge on Schettland ponies during the seminar and communicate with them. Back home, of course, I immediately wanted to know whether this could also be implemented with my mare. And indeed, the previously difficult relationship with my horse changed fundamentally after just one motivational session! It has never been so deep and intimate since we started listening to each other! I would like to thank Mrs Pysall for this incredible gift, which not only gave me access to my horse, but also touched and grounded me deep inside.

I was sceptical as to whether horses really can or want to communicate with us in the same way as they do with their own kind. But I was so fascinated by the subject that I did the introductory course straight away. And here is a little progress report one week after the course. I have largely eliminated my vocabulary mistakes: No more going under the neck, straight ahead and without bending towards the horse, always touching the horse first, never letting the individual space under any circumstances, not bending around the horse and always snorting when the monster sits in the bend from the stream with us, in three days (!) my unruly, constantly bad-tempered, extremely dominant and not intimidated by anything late castrated 8-year-old PRE has turned into a well-behaved little dog. He no longer pins his ears back when he sees me, he comes towards me a little when I fetch him from his herd, but stays at a respectful distance until I approach him and then - for the first time in six months - he walks the 1.5 kilometres to the grooming area with me without resistance. And I'm still a long way from having complicated dialogues. Do horses want to communicate with us? I no longer have the slightest doubt.

May more and more hearts and minds be opened to a new, ancient togetherness

The two books "What Horses Want" and "The Secret of Horse Language" by Gertrud Pysall are just the thing for horse people who strive for an absolutely non-violent, harmonious and intelligent relationship with their horse. Genuine friendship is not based on dominance. I owe the fact that I can experience genuine friendship and genuine affection with my horse above all to Gertrud Pysall's in-depth knowledge. It is worth reading the second book as well, as the author goes into even greater depth on individual aspects of horse language. Above all, the book helped me to avoid mistakes when dealing with horses. The chapter on the herd of domesticated horses is also very exciting. I never realised before that it makes a difference whether a wild horse or a domesticated horse is standing in front of me and that the tasks in the herd are also different. "Our knowledge of horses needs to be corrected!" writes Gertrud Pysall in her book. After reading the books and attending Motiva courses in Spenge, I can only emphasise this. A lot of suffering and frustration could be avoided. Motiva is not only horse language, it is also a school of life! I am happy that I have been able to meet horses and Motiva in my life.

For everyone who has to do with horses, for children who are allowed to learn how to handle horses, for long-time "horse connoisseurs" who are not too embarrassed to review their handling of horses and to learn more, for everyone who wishes themselves and the horses only the best and wants to experience a deep connection with these wonderful animals.

Horses see the world differently than we do. They feel differently. They react differently to us humans. Thanks to Gertrud Pysall for opening our eyes to the behaviour of our horses and giving us vocabulary for communicating with them, with which we can enter into a completely new and special contact with our horse. This book should not only be in every rider's bookcase, but should definitely be read and the vocabulary used. Absolutely fascinating!

I can only warmly recommend this book "THE SECRET OF HORSE LANGUAGE" to anyone who has anything to do with horses! The two books by Mrs Gertrud Pysall "WAS PFERDE WOLLEN" and "DAS GEHEIMNIS DER PFERDE" are the two best books I have read so far in the field of horse communication! MOTIVA - is described in detail in this inspiring book by Mrs . Gertrud Pysall - DIE SPRACHE DER PFERDE!!!! This natural interaction with horses in their mother tongue fascinated and impressed me at the same time! This communication on this level cannot be found in any other concept! Many thanks to the author Mrs Gertrud Pysall for this instructive and wonderful book!

very well-founded empirical work, super observed, impressively written in clear language. this book is wonderful!!!!

I have now read all of Gertrud Pysall's books and have already attended an introductory course and 2 basic courses. I am enthusiastic about her work with horses. Here the horse is really allowed to communicate and is not "told not to talk". Clear explanations of the herd rituals and how they can be used for communication. The horses react fantastically when they realise that the human suddenly understands them. After that, every training session can be added on and you have a motivated and happy horse that also trusts you. However, books are no substitute for courses. It takes a lot of intuition to learn Motiva. That's why I recommend these fantastic courses to everyone. Best regards from Switzerland

Lots of interesting tips and information on the correct interpretation and handling of what your horse wants to say!

The book provides an incredible amount of knowledge! Everyday dealings with my horse have become much easier since I started to learn horse language! Everyone who deals with horses should know about it!

Highly recommended book. A good read.

The book, the pictures and the author's explanations of the topics seem to be very good. I have given it as a present to my granddaughters who spend a lot of time with horses and were very pleased with the book. No experience yet.

A great book! So helpful for dealing with my horse. Written in an easy to understand and lively way. Exactly what I need for my horse and myself

I am impressed, had never heard of this method before, but once made aware of it, Motiva makes so much sense! I really enjoyed reading the book, which gently introduces the reader to this way of communicating with the horse. It explains typical vocabulary of horse language and shows it in everyday situations, discussing and analysing it in detail and from different angles. Inevitably, a realisation sets in, a reflection on one's own actions. Wow! I was so blind! Please people, deal with it, get involved. For the good of the horses and in your own interest.

very good . The seminar with the author's daughter was not quite as good.

Gertrud Pysall's books are a revelation for anyone who loves their horse and really wants to do them justice. I get on well with my horse, but I always had the feeling that something was missing in our relationship. There was such a distance between us. Thanks to the horse language that Mrs Pysall has kindly made available to us, you can reach a completely different level of communication with your horse. I really want to learn this language so that my horse feels understood by me and our work becomes more of a joint endeavour. I will definitely take the necessary courses with the Pysall family.

The book opens your eyes and the first impulse is to apologise to your horse! With the knowledge from the books and attending the weekend course, I approach the horses differently and they change their behaviour (positively), that was the biggest confirmation. It should become compulsory reading before buying a horse. Thank you very much Gertrud Pysall!

Every horse lover / rider should read it! Opens up whole new worlds!