Horse Training in Harmony

In this episode, I’ll talk about collection. I will share an excerpt from my book: Dressage Naturally… Results in Harmony and will expand on what is written there about collectability, half-halts, and riding patterns in a way that you will improve your horse’s ability to collect. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author, and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who...

In this episode, I’ll tell the story of how I learned about the importance of a good hoof trim. I’ll talk about my horse Vivaldi, how his feet transformed and how challenging it was to make that change. I hope this episode helps some of you be more confident when it comes to making important changes to your horse’s hoof care. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, i...

In this episode, I’ll talk about how important it is to take care of how you are BEing with your horse, just as much as (or maybe a little bit more than) you take care of what you are DOing with your horse. I’ll share a couple of favorite meditations I use to get myself back into BEing in a better state. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally r...

In this episode, I’ll talk about whether it’s reasonable to have different rules for different breeds when it comes to training. It’s a question that I get a lot, and it can be quite confusing to students.   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 stu...

In this episode, I am joined by Sharon Madere. Sharon is a certified horse behavior consultant where she focuses on equine problem-solving and behavior modification. We will talk about her program for breeding, raising, and training happy horses and will share some stories about the filly I bought from her. About the Guest: Sharon Madere is a certified horse behavior consultant with International...

This episode is about artificial and auxiliary aids. Things like bits, spurs, sticks, draw reins, etc. I’ll talk about what they are for and how to decide whether or not you want to use them.   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 d...

In this episode I answer a student’s question about what to do when you normally work by yourself, you want to use partnership-based techniques… and you run into a tough or dangerous challenge with your horse, and people around you are recommending harsh techniques or trainers.   About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician...

In this episode, I will take a look at the common ways horses and students get stuck and more importantly how to get unstuck! It’s normal that our progress sometimes comes rapidly and sometimes is slower. It’s even normal for it to plateau every now and then… but those plateaus can start to feel like ruts. That’s when it’s important to step back and re-evaluate how we can freshen things up and spa...

Today’s episode explores the purpose of doing dressage. I’ll look at it separate from our own human goals, and instead talk about the purpose with respect to how it can (and should) benefit the 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...

I love answering student questions. I get a lot of information not only from the question but from HOW the question is asked. In this episode, I will share what I have learned from decades of answering student questions about how to ask questions in a way that not only yields the best answers… But in a way where it helps you find the answers yourself. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author, and creat...

It’s not fun when your horse is injured or otherwise set back. But often there is more we can do than stop all progress and feel sorry for ourselves. In this episode, I’ll talk about how I handle it when my horses are injured or have setbacks, and how asking yourself what you CAN do will help you become more resourceful.   About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author, and creator of Dressage Naturally...

In this episode, I’ll talk about the use of pressure in training. It is not such a simple issue. It sounds nice to say we don’t want to use pressure but is that really desirable or even possible?   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 a...

In this episode I’ll talk about the 3 filters I use to observe a horse or horse and rider. This is especially helpful when I meet a new horse and rider. It helps me see the big picture so I can best know how to help them. Diagnosing an issue can be challenging because, as many of you know, the real problem is not always the problem that shows up the most obvious. These 3 filters help you take the...

I recently asked people on FB what they were doing when they listened to my podcast. Many people were driving, some were doing household chores, some were in the bathtub, some having a cuppa tea or coffee, and there was lots and lots of manure-picking! So I decided to make a podcast that would connect all those activities to horsemanship… curious?   About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author an...

In this episode of AKA I answer a question from a student about what to do when her horse loses forward energy during dressage movements. This is a very common issue and I give many tips and strategies that can help you!    About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm....

In this episode of AKA, I answer a couple of questions from students… The first one has to do with how to handle it when you have an instructor, but you want to take clinics from other trainers or instructors… Then I answer a question about how to reconcile trusting your instincts with what you are feeling (something I tell students often) with the fact that sometimes new sensations, even if valua...

In this episode, I talk about the importance of being YOU! So many students miss a deeper relationship with their horse or miss important moments in their training because they are paralyzed by a fear of ‘doing it wrong’. Many trainers and instructors are getting burned out because they are trying to fit in a professional mold, instead of fully embracing the full value of what they have to offer....

In this episode I speak with Dr. Renee Tucker DVM about holistic veterinary care, her Tucker Biokinetic Technique and how to prevent suspensory issues. I’ve never heard anyone talk about suspensory issues the way she does, so I think you’ll find this really interesting! You can get to her free video about suspensory issues here:  https://www.tuckerbiokinetic.com/a/39568/TLY3d8qE   About...

In this episode I speak with Dr Jenny Susser. Dr jenny is a sports psychologist and we talk about goals, failure, and confidence (among other things). She offers really great insights and gives many practical things you can implement right away. After listening to this podcast I think you will be excited to set some big hairy goals for yourself and will feel freer to actually go for them! Grab a p...

In this episode I’ll take a look at what ‘professional’ looks like when it comes to horse care…I’ll look at what I call the factory-training business model and why we need to change it…. …I’ll share a bit of my story of when I reinvented myself and how that benefitted my horses and why it’s so important that heart-centered horse professionals learn how to thrive in the horse business… not just so...

In this new year’s episode, I ponder life, meaning, creation, recreation & art - and of course, horses. This episode is part answering a student’s question, part rambling, part life philosophy, and part not-totally well thought out thoughts… it’s reflective of the brain-space I get in around the new year! About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an interna...

In this episode I interview Karen Partisch about Craniosacral Therapy for horses and humans. Karen is a big part of my team that keeps me and my horses at our best. We’ll talk about the power of relaxation and energy work, what craniosacral therapy is, the role of fascia and more! About the Guest: Karen Partisch specializes in Craniosacral Therapy  (CST) for people  and  CST for hor...

In this episode I am going to talk about safe spaces and healthy boundaries. It’s about horses and also about life. 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 Natural...

In this episode I’m going to talk about making progress… I’ll share some wisdom from the DN book and will discuss how to practice making training plans. Making progress is not just about gathering information - it’s about wanting it - wishing for it - planning it - practicing it! About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who i...

In this episode I’ll talk a bit about curiosity, distraction and evasiveness and how to know which it is and what to do about 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 the Dr...