In this episode I talk about the power of the basics and some essential things you’ll want to get great at.  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a...

In this episode, I’ll muse about harmony. It’s not about everything being perfect. You can harmonize with disharmony!  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a...

In this episode, I tell a story about some recent performances and teaching I did at the Iberian Showcase at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala. I’ll share my experience and the behind the scenes story.  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual...

In this episode, Karen talks about suppleness and key factors to help your horse maximize his potential for it! It’s an important quality that has mental, emotional and physical aspects. It’s an amazing feeling to ride a supple horse.  About the Host:  Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and...

With double bridles and spurs now being optional in some dressage competitions, it is bringing up questions about why they are allowed at all, and why they would be compulsory. In this episode Karen explains the use of double bridles and spurs.  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her...

In this episode I describe how I have my property set up so horses get a lot of freedom, choice, and variety, while still keeping things safe, functional, and easy for me to work within. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm.She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs. Karen is...

In this episode, I share a core concept in the DN program. It’s the key to getting results, and even more importantly, it’s the key to YOU creating and re-creating results independently. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is...

In this episode I talk about a dynamic where a loss or a limit can actually create dramatic positive lessons and improvements. The trick is to master the dynamic so you don’t have to learn the lessons the hard way.   About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage...

In this episode I talk about the technique of asking for permission from your horse. This is an important element of building a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs. Karen is...

In this episode I talk about how to practice making better training plans for you and your horse. It’s less about recipes and more about knowing possibilities, paying attention to results, and being willing to mess it up and try again. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and...

Episode Summary: In this episode I try to untangle my mind around what dressage is, and reconcile the dressage I do with the sport of dressage. In the end, it’s about taking back the term dressage.  About the Host:  Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual...

In this episode: I’ll talk about the importance of advocating for our horses, and how that advocacy actually has to start with ourselves..  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority...

Episode Summary: In this episode I talk about how we can be firm while being fair, clear while being compassionate, and be non-negotiable while still giving horses the opportunity to have a choice.  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual...

In this episode I talk about transitions. I’ll give you some exercise to do with transitions to help your horse’s overall balance, engagement, and nimbleness. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs. Karen is well known for training...

In this episode I explore common phrases I hear students use to describe their experience when learning DN. I seek to discover exactly why they say it, and what they were missing before. My hope is that this episode will help you stay more on track in your own journey. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from...

In this episode I am joined by Mary Richards to talk about enrichment which is basically about how to keep our horses in a way that allows them to be the happiest horses they can be. I think you’ll really love this conversation where we’ll learn how even small changes can make a big difference. You’ll learn about Social, Cognitive, Sensory, & Physical Enrichment.  About the Guest: Mary Richards is an expert in animal behavior with a particular focus on equines. With over 15 years of...

This episode re-introduces a popular episode from the archives about the famous (infamous) half halt. The half halt is an important concept in dressage - AND it’s a term I actually rarely use. I get a lot of questions about it, and anyone who has studied dressage or has taken dressage lessons has been asked to do a half halt. If you’ve ever been confused about what a half halt is or how to do it, keep on listening to this original episode on half halts.    About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author...

This episode is a re-introduction of a favorite episode of mine that goes more into our own minds rather than just horse training techniques, but I promise, what is in this episode will be a HUGE help to your horsemanship. It talks about what we notice, how our neurology works against us noticing everything we can notice, and it will give ideas for how to notice more of what we need to notice in order to improve. I love thinking about this kind of stuff, and I hope you enjoy listening to this...

In this episode I talk about Brace, and more importantly, what we can do about it. As you might guess, the solution is a little about the horse, and about us. It takes 2 to keep a brace going, and it’s our responsibility to dissolve it. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and...

In this ‘Best Of’ episode I reintroduce an episode where I talk about an important belief that often is the root of conflict between horse and rider. It’s so important I want to revisit it again!  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual...

In this episode I am joined by Jim Masterson, founder of The Masterson Method – a breakthrough form of equine bodywork which helps enhance performance, suppleness, mobility, and comfort whilst developing the relationship and bond of trust between the horse and owner. About the Guest: Jim Masterson is the founder of The Masterson Method – a breakthrough form of equine bodywork which helps enhance performance, suppleness, mobility, and comfort whilst developing the relationship and bond of...

In this ‘Best Of’ episode I reintroduce an episode where I talk less about what to learn and do, and more about the process of learning and doing. It’s one of my favorite episodes and worth highlighting again.  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally...

This episode goes deep into the HTIH archives as Karen re-introduces one of her favorite topics. It was the very first episode released: "What Makes A Good Rider?" This is something we all need to be thinking about every day with our horses, and Karen’s perspective on this subject may be different than what you think. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She...

In this episode I describe a lesson I taught recently in order to illustrate a practical application of some Dressage Naturally principles. This will help you understand how I strategized my approach to a challenge and hopefully it will help YOU be able to strategize, too!  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from...