Episodes

Oct. 20, 2023

EP166: Happy Athlete Training Scale

In this episode, I talk about the Dressage Naturally Happy Athlete training scale, and how you can use it as a blueprint for decision-making with your horse. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Natura…
Oct. 13, 2023

EP165: Ask Karen Anything - Rubbing On Wall When Riding

In this episode I answer a student’s question about how sometimes when riding her horse gets too close to the fence and her legs get rubbed into the arena boards. She shares what her instructor has told her, and of course I’…
Oct. 6, 2023

EP164: Claim Your Cape

In this episode, I talk about why partnership isn’t enough. It’s time to claim your cape and be your horse’s superhero! About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized …
Sept. 29, 2023

EP163: Should Not

In this episode, I’ll riff off of a student's question to our FB group where she was wrestling with feeling emotionally and physically dysregulated, and what she ‘should’ do with her horse during those times. About the Host:…
Sept. 22, 2023

EP162: The Sweet Spot

In this episode, I’ll describe what I call the Sweet Spot of Healthy Biomechanics. It is a key concept in Dressage Naturally. It can transform the way you train, and it is incredibly powerful as a tool for cooperative traini…
Sept. 15, 2023

EP161: Student Q&A - Resistance To Circling

In this episode, I answer a student question about a horse that resists circling on line. My answer includes a specific exercise, as well as some important psychological nuances about how to do the exercise. It’s not just ab…
Sept. 8, 2023

EP160: Technique & Soul

In this episode I’ll share some words from Nuno Oliveira. They are simple yet powerful and something you can apply to your riding starting today. This also dovetails beautifully with principles and methods taught in my Dress…
Sept. 1, 2023

EP159: Horse School

In this episode I’ll talk about the different types of sessions we can do with our horses. I’ll share how Math class, Gym class, Recess, and Field Trips all play different and important roles in the well-rounded education of…
Aug. 25, 2023

EP158: Needle-Shyness with Dr. Lily Wilson

In this episode I am joined by Dr. Lily Wilson, a veterinary surgeon who has created a new way of helping horse owners take the very best care of their equine partners. Today we will be talking about needle-shyness, and what…
Aug. 18, 2023

EP157: The Forest

In this episode I’ll talk about beautiful moments with horses and how we can be sure they are beautiful… Who gets to say? If a horse piaffes in the forest and no one is there to judge it, can it be beautiful? Let’s explore t…
Aug. 11, 2023

EP156: Stop Breaking Horses

In this episode I talk about one of the most unfortunate terms in the horse world: Breaking Horses. Help me eliminate that word, and even more importantly that practice. We don’t want to break horses, we want to prepare them…
Aug. 4, 2023

EP155: Desiderata

In this episode we’ll take a break from techniques, dressage, and horsemanship. I’ll share one of my favorite prose poems. It is something I read regularly. It’s a powerful piece and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Abou…
July 28, 2023

EP154: Ask Karen Anything: Physical Challenges

In this episode, I answer a student’s request for me to share more about my own physical challenges, and ways I have dealt with them, as well as how age affects our riding. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of …
July 21, 2023

EP153: Nothing Is Something

When is nothing something? What does the foamy head of a beer have to do with living in possibility? In this episode I’ll talk about one of the most powerful exercises I’ve never done. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and…
July 14, 2023

EP152: Self Carriage

I’ll talk about my perspectives on self-carriage. It’s not just the result of a perfect half halt, it is a mental, emotional, and physical state of being that can be developed much sooner than you think. About the Host: Kare…
July 7, 2023

EP151: Suspending Judgment

In this episode I’ll talk about a dynamic of human thinking, how it can help us and how it can hurt us. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is…
June 30, 2023

EP150:Equine Fitness with Jec A Ballou

In this episode I am joined by equine fitness expert, Jec Ballou. We talk about how to bring a horse back into foundational fitness after a break. You’ll get lots of valuable information you can use. Everyone is going to nee…
June 23, 2023

EP149: Listening To Horses with David De Wispelaere

In this episode I talk with international dressage rider, trainer and author David De Wispelaere. We talk about his love for horses, and his thoughts about the dressage world and what makes him and his horses happy. I found …
June 16, 2023

EP148: Pro-Horse Pros

In this episode I talk about the value of the heart-centered equine professional and how important they are for the welfare of horses. I’ll also talk about how some have lost their way, and how to help bring them back to the…
June 9, 2023

EP147: Riding Without Reins

In this episode I’ll talk about why you want to practice riding without reins It can be a humbling experience, but the benefits in the long term make it well worth the effort. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator …
June 2, 2023

EP146: Pushing It

In this episode I’ll talk about how to know if it’s OK to ‘push’ our horses to do something that seems hard for them. This is a very common question that all trainers and riders have at some point with every horse. About the…
May 26, 2023

EP145: Curiosity

In this episode I talk about Curiosity and why it has a big impact on your horse’s trainability and willingness to learn. You may be wondering if I am referring to your, or your horse’s curiosity… I guess you’ll have to list…
May 19, 2023

EP144: Nosebands

In this episode I discuss nosebands - What they are for, why I don’t use them, and enough information for you to make your own educated decision about using them in your practice. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and crea…
May 12, 2023

EP143: Slow is Fast

This episode is a note to students (and trainers) about taking the time to do the basics and why a horse education is about so much more than just riding skills. About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Na…