Dressage, Naturally with Karen Rohlf

Creating healthy biomechanics and stronger partnerships through combining natural horsemanship principles with the art of dressage...

photo: Terri Miller

never underestimate the potential for harmony & lightness to improve in ways you cannot yet imagine

This Month:• Student Questions answered

• Another 6 day clinic at Teme-nos Fields, completed.

• News from the Temenos

• Ancora Imparo

• 2009 Clinic structure described

Upcoming Clinics: Clinic schedule: CLICK HERE

March 8 -13 6 days at Temenos Fields (Full, no auditors) Temenos Fields, FL contact: K2

March 14 Open Format Workshop Temenos Fields, FL contact: K2 auditors welcome!

April 23-25 Finding the Sweet SpotOxford, NCContact: Lauren Kahn auditors welcome!

April 26-28 Upward Spiral of SuccessOxford, NCContact: Lauren Kahnauditors welcome!

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 9

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Welcome back to the Temenos...Temenos is an ancient Greek word. It refers to a sacred space that has no lim-its, where special rules apply and extra-ordinary events are free to occur.

“It is a great error to use a bit in the first lessons. In such a case, resistance is almost always mo-tivated by the colt’s fear of the steel which has been put in his mouth.” ~ Nuno Oliveira

Photo Above: Dana Rasmussen

Student QuestionsLet Loose / Balance

Does a horse ever let loose into an unbalanced let loose posture? In other words, can it be better than where he ever has been, but still not *balanced* or do we always trust the position the horse chooses?

I do remember you explaining how the sweet spot spirals upward (duh!) to getting the sweet spot longer, but am not sure about how to think about the let loose pos-ture.Thanks! Sally

Hi Sally,Yes......And there are different balances for different moments.Some horses have an easy time ‘putting their heads down’. But if they feel stumbly or really on the forehand, then I might say: "ok, thank you, but we need more bal-ance skills first!!! If they are less flexible in their lower back, they might stretch, feel unbalanced, then think: ‘ooh, I don’t like that” and not try it again. On the other hand, another horse may feel that and say: ‘ooh, better balance my-self!’ So, as with many answers to horsemanship and riding ques-tions... “It depends” on the horse as to what skills I develop in what order.

We want them loose and supple in their top lines, balanced and carry-ing on their hind ends (to different degrees depending on their level of training)

Some horses need to develop one before the other in order to arrive at being able to do both. Or I may go back and forth ... making sure they understand how to stretch, then doing lots of 'weight back and carry on the hind end exercises (like transition,s etc). The exact schedule of this depends on the horse. the REAL let loose, valu-able stretch should feel good, bal-anced, swingy rhythmic.... if they are just throwing their heads down and feeling stumbly or fast then it is not it... YET. But this is also why I rarely ask my horses to stretch or directly speak to their heads and necks.... Instead I am always searching to balance their bodies in such a way that they feel like it is possible for them to let go of their tight muscles and stretch. And in the end, we want that free-dom while they are up-hill.

If the stretch is valuable and really important for them to experience in a given moment, then I forgive some lack of balance for some time to gain the value of experi-encing the freedom and looseness of the stretch.... the same way if the: ‘carry with your hind end' message is the most important in that moment for the horse, I allow and expect that they may be a bit tight in the top line for some mo-ments as they learn how to use their bodies.

The regular gaits ('working gaits’ in dressage terms) are a nice bal-anced (not up hill, not down hill) horse moving rhythmically with a supple, loose top line and self car-riage. You can test things out by doing transitions: Can your horse keep these qualities when moving from one gait to another?

As far as trusting the horse to choose the position... I think it is important to allow them to feel self carriage... to feel the freedom to experiment, and it is better to let go and have them feel where they are (even if they ‘fall apart’), than it is to ‘hold them together’. If you feel like you can’t let go... you MUST! But they may not neces-sarily find the best place by acci-dent with while dealing with the burden of our bodies on them!

I sure hope that helped.Karen

Hind Quarter Yields and Bad Habits

Hi Karen,My name is Maree, and I have been to your clinics in Lindstrom, MN for about four years with my bay thoroughbred (who Irecently was forced to sell :( ). My mom, Sandy, also rides at thoseclinics with her grey Connemara (not sure if you remember the horses better than the riders, I know I do!).

I was watching your recent DVD on Mobility, and I had a question about one of the exercises you were doing with Ovation. The ex-ercise was the circling with the hind legs moving out around out-side the circle and crossing over. I appreciate the exercise teaching the horse to activate his hind legs more for greater balance, impul-sion, and collection, however, I have encountered a contradiction that I would like to ask you about. I ride at a barn with some very successful teenage dressage rid-ers in the Young Riders program, and they often have clinicians

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come up, who I take lessons from and audit. The trainers that they host are very fair to the horse and are a great addition to my horse-manship- their teaching coordi-nates very well with the natural horsemanship philosophy. Any-way, I was watching a lesson where the rider is doing fourth level (she’s 16!), and the trainer was talking about how the horse was swinging his hind end to the outside all the time, which was de-creasing the quality of the connec-tion because it was a type of eva-sion. How do you stop your horse from learning this behavior as an evasion from forward motion? Could it potentially weaken the hind end if the horse starts swing-ing his back legs out from the cir-cle out of habit? Do you avoid this issue by balancing this exercise with the opposite exercise (front legs crossing over more than hind legs and forehand to the outside)?

Thanks for helping me with this issue. ~Maree Stewart

Hi Maree,Yes, I remember you! Good ques-tion, I can see how it could be con-fusing. I guess the main thing is the communication... to be able to ask for things, and so be able to NOT ask for things! (sometimes we want counter canter, some-times we want a flying change, sometimes a horse will acciden-tally do a flying change to 'evade' counter canter, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't do flying changes!

I think we are in that ballpark of logic.

But, to get more specific, the hind-quarter yield in motion on the DVD is introduced as an intermediary exercise which helps horses de-velop some skills before they get into the true lateral work. And the ability to step under with the inside hind will be one of those skills that will lead to engagement later. No-tice in the DVD that I emphasize finishing that movement by going forward and straight on the circle instead of always ending with a complete disengage... this is pre-cisely for the reason you ask about... so we don't create a pat-tern of always swinging the hind-quarters out.

Also important is that there are 2 exercises on the DVD, and the'forehand yield in motion' is an ex-ercise that requires that the out-side hind leg steps around to the inside. So already we are balanc-ing things out.

So again, there are two important issues here, one is to developgymnastic skills and possibilities, and the other is to have excellentcommunication about them so we can prevent patterns and habits that we don't want.

There are many reasons why a horse may consistently swing out in the hindquarters (rider position, asymmetrical weakness, 'pilot' er-ror, lack of understanding). Hmmm wouldn't it be fun to play with the Basic Alignment exercise with this horse and rider you men-tioned in order to refine their 'sweet spot' in order to improve the quality of their connection! Straightness is a prerequisite for the ideal engagement andconnection, but the paradox is that we achieve ultimate straightness

through lateral exercises!

With this in mind, watch the DVD again and see if things fit together better in your mind. If not, ask me some more!

Thanks so much for your excellent question.

My Best,Karen

Hey Karen,Thanks so much, that really helped answer my question. I fig-ured that it was mostly about communication- the goal is just everything in moderation.

would love to work with you more in-depth in that type of situation. Iam a very hard worker and I am really eager to learn anything andeverything about dressage natu-rally that you have to offer. I'll keep reading your newsletter and learn-ing everything I can from DVDs and clinics!

Thanks so much for your help!-Maree

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6 days at Temenos Fields...

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“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each

other.” John F. Kennedy

January closed with another 6-day clinic at Temenos Fields. 8 riders and their guests came from as far as Texas and Kentucky to enjoy immersion in the Dressage, Naturally. It was the first session for this group,

who will meet here twice a year. It was a week full of new information, expanded comfort zones and personal bests.... (and snacks!)

Karen and Monty teaching

Ginger and Sparkle Fran and Heather soaking it in.

More photos from6 days at Temenos

Fields...

copyright 2009 Temenos Fields, Inc February

Little Miss and Carlos help keep Donna and Claudia warm! (or is it the other way around?)

Ginger and Geri know: There’s noth-ing you can’t do when you are Queen of the World!

Melanie and Prize looking simply fancy!

Shelby Ginger,

Melanie Kellie

The point of view of the chihuahua!

News I have added some more re-

sources to my More Resources page on my website. Included are a very important book by Veteri-narian Gerd Heuschmann, a cou-ple books and a DVD for core muscle training for the rider, a very useful and amusing book that further develops your ability to understand your horse’s character, and a classic philosophical novel with some interesting views on ‘quality’ and motivation among other things!

We are nearly finished editing another Results in Harmony DVD! I am planning on releasing volumes 3 & 4 together, as they are on a similar subject, so it may be a little while before they are out, but I am very excited... The subject of these new ones is about making changes in your posture and rid-ing position... in rather unique ways, of course!

Speaking of unique ways of moving... JoAnna Mendl Shaw and her dancers are giving a clinic in the Ocala area March 14, 15. (Contact Jo Shaw at jmsnyc@aol.com). I will be mak-ing a cameo appearance there on Sunday the 15th.

We just had our February monthly Open Format Workshop. It has been so fun to watch every-one’s improvements. In the Open Format, there are 3 hour morning and afternoon sessions. Students can manage their time as they like.

Some bring a couple horses and alternate. Students divide the time between on line, riding and ob-serving others. Some use it as a ‘safety net’ and spend most of their time on their own, some have specific things they want help with, and some get called in for one of my special ‘micromanaging sessions’! ;-)

I find it very helpful for me to ob-serve how students use their time, and it is a wonderful chance for students to learn from other stu-dents at all different levels There is one more Workshop next month, March 14. Auditors are invited and encouraged to attend. It usu-ally proves to be a very fun day. So much fun I just might add one more in April! Stay tuned.

I am in the very beginning stages of organizing a Clinic Tour to Australia/NZ for March 2010. Stay tuned for details. As soon as I have the information on when, where and how to sign up, you will be the first to know!

I have a new SLIDE SHOW on my home page. I am going to be updating my photos on my web-site soon. If you are a student and have a fabulous photo of you and your horse doing Dressage, Natu-rally, please send it to me at Karenrohlf@dressagenaturally.net

Please keep the files small so they can be received and loaded on the web easily (under 1MB).

Dressage Naturally Affiliates: If you have an online store or web-site and would like to be an affili-ate, please contact Karen at karenrohlf@dressagenaturally.net If approved, when customers come to my web shop thru yours, you can earn a percentage of the sales. Email for more information.

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Karen, JoAnna Mendl Shaw and Monty Photo: Dana Rasmussen

“Ancora Imparo” is what Michaelangelo is quoted to have said upon completing the Sistine Chapel... It means: “I am still learning.”

It happens to all of us...The moments that are... less than ideal... The moments that cause us to ask our selves some form of the question: “What the $@*! just happened?!” Of course we are already ahead of the game if we are even asking a question. Many times what comes into our heads is a statement something like: “He did this to me” or “I am an idiot.”

I love playing with perspectives... knowing that simply taking a different point of view can change everything. We all are learning that, as we journey to see the world from the horse’s point of view.

I laughed when I found the quote above, because it brought up a perspective that I hadn’t thought of! My favorite ball cap these days has a picture of a glass, and some water and the words: ‘Half Full’. The quote at the top of this page made me think... Hmmm, maybe it is not about judging the ‘enough-ness’ of the water at all! Then, (because analogy is a favorite hobby of mine), I thought: What if the water symbolized our knowledge/ability, and the glass

represents the container, the situation we put our-selves in?

If the situation (the challenge, the pressure, the space we are operating in) is too small we may feel super confident... our knowledge is plenty. But with no room to expand, we can get bored, and spend our time wiping up the mess that happens when we outgrow our containers... such as nitpicking the same old things, or convincing ourselves that we are way better than everyone else. No one and noth-ing (and no horse) can live up to our standards. Drama is created just to make things interesting. The situation that once built confidence becomes a source of irritation, as it no longer fits our dreams... and resentment builds up. Where were we going before we limited ourselves? Our horses may feel the same way.

If the challenge is ‘twice as large as it needs to be’, we can feel useless, confused, out of our comfort zone. Trust is lost. We may feel the need to run away from it... to try to find some kind of safety or place to relax and finally be able to say: ‘Yes, this I can do!’ Or maybe we get addicted to the rush of possibility, the high that comes with new discovery, and we inadvertently drag others along with us, eventually leaving them feeling like there is no

peace anywhere. Or does this space positively mo-tivate you to achieve beyond your wildest dreams?

So how can we say whether full is better than empty? What is ‘enough’, separate from where you are and what you are attempting? In developing our horses, possibly they are not ‘good’ or ‘bad’ independent of the situation we have put them in... relative to the amount of our/their knowledge.

Perhaps that is Mastery: The artful transfer of your knowledge from one appropriate container or situa-tion to the next. Perhaps it is the choosing of the situation more than the quantity of the knowledge. And isn’t that what makes a delightful student/horse at any level... that they are aware of their ‘fullness’ and embrace their ‘emptiness’. Perhaps that is my job as the teacher: to offer the containers that give peace, yet motivate. Never full or empty.

Just something to think about. ~K1

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Ancora Imparo

“Is the glass half empty, half full,

or twice as large as it needs to be? “

~Author Unknown

Photos: Peggy Finnerty

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Visit the web-shop

Organic Cotton T-Shirts available in Women’s style in Chocolate and Black Unisex style in BlackFront (all shirts): The horse illustra-tion that is on the book cover plus “Dressage Naturally... results in harmony”Back (all shirts): these words: They come packaged in their own 100% recycled paper bags (no plastic!)

Special PackageThe Book/DVD

plus volume 1 & 2 in the Results in Harmony DVD series at a

special savings (10% off)

Women’s

Dressage, Naturally ... Results in Harmony. Instructional Book/DVDA Guide to the Basics of Dressage from a Natural Horsemanship Perspective.A result of Karen Rohlf's combined experience as a dressage professional and her immersion in natural horsemanship, this book/DVD bridges the gap be-tween these two worlds. The material will take every horseman on a practical and philosophical journey to create healthy biomechanics and stronger partner-ships through combining principles of natural horsemanship with the art of dressage.

Spiral Bound / Hard cover

184 pages

59 Exercises

Forewords by Anne Gribbons and Linda Parelli

53 Illustrations by the author

Almost 3 hours of DVD

D,N Reins The best of both worlds!These reins have the ele-gant look and quiet con-

nection to the bit of a leather dressage rein, but

the 'live feel' of a rope. They are hand made from quality yachting line and

leather.

Results In Harmony Video Series, Volumes 1 & 2Karen shows and explains how she plays with some specific concepts, with her young horse, Ovation

Relaxation, energy and bal-ance in the horse and human The focus of this clinic will be to learn: • Basic theory, principles of Dressage,

Naturally• How to develop an eye for healthy bio-

mechanics, including the ‘let loose’ posture.

• The Athletic Rider: How to improve your own relaxation, energy and balance

• How to develop and expand your ability to communicate about relaxation, en-ergy and balance

• To use these conversations in order to find the ‘sweet spot’... the best way of going for your horse in order to help them be the best they can be.

• The basic theory and techniques for rid-ing in connection with the reins

Format can be a mixture of any com-bination of: • Theory, discussion• Simulation• Large groups online, riding• Small groups online, riding• Individual sessions• Demonstration Prerequisites (all of the below): • Independent seat. Able to ride freestyle

(without reins) and walk, trot and can-ter

• Impulsive, emotional issues resolved, or able to be handled independently with-out interrupting the group, or putting yourself or others in the group in dan-ger.

• All basic yields (forehand, hindquarters, sideways, back up) understood at a light (no more that ‘Phase 2’) possible

It is very possible that the first session of the clinic will be a group session where

participants will be asked to show her the above prerequisites in order for Karen to make the best plan for the rest of the clinic. First session assessment skills: • Show a circle game online with transi-

tions, walk, trot, canter and back up.• Ride all basic yields freestyle from a

stand still• Ride a circle, or use whole arena show-

ing walk, trot, canter with long reins (freestyle) and with the slack taken out of the reins (soft touch).

Click Here to see a video of the minimum prerequisites for this clinic

Exercises for Flexibility, Mobility & Collectibility The focus of this clinic will be to learn: • How to take the ‘sweet spot’ of healthy

biomechanics forward, and gymnasti-cally develop your horse.

• Theory, principles of gymnastic devel-opment

• Continued refinement of rider’s athletic seat

• How to use patterns and the arena to benefit your training in a way that makes sense to your horse.

• How to diagnose and apply specific ex-ercises for Flexibility, Mobility and Col-lectibility

• How to ride so the connection with the reins is positive and beneficial

Format can be a mixture of any com-bination of: • Theory, discussion• Simulation• Large groups online, riding• Small groups online, riding

• Individual sessions• Demonstration Prerequisites (all of the below): • (The same prerequisites for the Sweet

Spot course)• Have taken the Finding the Sweet Spot

course or any 3+ day course with Karen

• Have a range of conversations about relaxation, energy and balance at walk, trot and canter

• Can demonstrate a positive soft touch (can take the slack out of the reins and nothing negative happens with horse or rider) at walk, trot, canter

• Can demonstrate a let loose posture, (spinal stretch) on line/riding at walk and trot

It is very possible that the first session of the clinic will be a group session where participants will be asked to show her the above prerequisites in order for Karen to make the best plan for the rest of the clinic. First session assessment skills: • (All those for the Sweet Spot course:)• On-line, show how you use conversa-

tions about relaxation, energy and bal-ance to find a sweet spot and be able to describe what you are doing.

• Riding, show how you use conversations about relaxation, energy and balance to find a sweet spot for your horse and be able to describe what you are do-ing.

• Show transitions flowing from walk to basic yields.

Click Here to see a video of the pre-requisites for this clinic

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There is going to be a new structure for this years clinics. Instead of having clinics for ‘new comers’ and clinics for ‘people who have ridden with Karen before’, there will be 2 curriculums. Students should decide which one to take, based on what is appropriate for them/their horse.

Please take a look at the information below. There are links to videos showing the prerequisites. This in-formation can also be found now on my website in a link from the Clinic Schedule page.