Feb '09 Newsletter by Dressage Naturally

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

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

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

This Month: • Student Questions answered • Another 6 day clinic at Temenos Fields, completed. • News from the Temenos

~ Nuno Oliveira

Upcoming Clinics:

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

• Ancora Imparo

March 14 Open Format Workshop

• 2009 Clinic structure described

Temenos Fields, FL contact: K2

April 23-25 Finding the Sweet Spot Oxford, NC Contact: Lauren Kahn

auditors welcome!

April 26-28 Upward Spiral of Success Oxford, NC Contact: Lauren Kahn auditors welcome!

auditors welcome!

Photo Above: Dana Rasmussen

Student Questions

Some horses need to develop one before the other in order to arrive at being able to do both. Or I may Let Loose / Balance go back and forth ... making sure they understand how to stretch, Does a horse ever let loose into an then doing lots of 'weight back and unbalanced let loose posture? In carry on the hind end exercises other words, can it be better than (like transition,s etc). The exact where he ever has been, but still schedule of this depends on the not *balanced* or do we always horse. the REAL let loose, valutrust the position the horse able stretch should feel good, balchooses? anced, swingy rhythmic.... if they are just throwing their heads down I do remember you explaining how and feeling stumbly or fast then it the sweet spot spirals upward is not it... YET. But this is also why (duh!) to getting the sweet spot I rarely ask my horses to stretch or longer, but am not sure about how directly speak to their heads and to think about the let loose posnecks.... Instead I am always ture. searching to balance their bodies Thanks! in such a way that they feel like it Sally is possible for them to let go of their tight muscles and stretch. Hi Sally, And in the end, we want that freeYes... dom while they are up-hill. ...And there are different balances for different moments. If the stretch is valuable and really Some horses have an easy time important for them to experience in ‘putting their heads down’. But if a given moment, then I forgive they feel stumbly or really on the some lack of balance for some forehand, then I might say: "ok, time to gain the value of experithank you, but we need more bal- encing the freedom and looseness ance skills first!!! If they are less of the stretch.... the same way if flexible in their lower back, they the: ‘carry with your hind end' might stretch, feel unbalanced, message is the most important in then think: ‘ooh, I don’t like that” that moment for the horse, I allow and not try it again. On the other and expect that they may be a bit hand, another horse may feel that tight in the top line for some moand say: ‘ooh, better balance my- ments as they learn how to use self!’ So, as with many answers their bodies. to horsemanship and riding questions... “It depends” on the horse The regular gaits ('working gaits’ in as to what skills I develop in what dressage terms) are a nice balorder. anced (not up hill, not down hill) horse moving rhythmically with a We want them loose and supple in supple, loose top line and self cartheir top lines, balanced and carry- riage. You can test things out by ing on their hind ends (to different doing transitions: Can your horse degrees depending on their level keep these qualities when moving of training) 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 necessarily find the best place by accident 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 I recently was forced to sell :( ). My mom, Sandy, also rides at those clinics 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 exercise was the circling with the hind legs moving out around outside the circle and crossing over. I appreciate the exercise teaching the horse to activate his hind legs more for greater balance, impulsion, 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 riders in the Young Riders program, and they often have clinicians

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 horsemanship- their teaching coordinates very well with the natural horsemanship philosophy. Anyway, I was watching a lesson where the rider is doing fourth level (sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 16!), and the trainer was talking about how the horse was swinging his hind end to the outside all the time, which was decreasing the quality of the connection because it was a type of evasion. 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 swinging his back legs out from the circle 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)?

But, to get more specific, the hindquarter yield in motion on the DVD is introduced as an intermediary exercise which helps horses develop 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. Notice 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 precisely for the reason you ask about... so we don't create a pattern of always swinging the hindquarters out.

Thanks for helping me with this issue. ~Maree Stewart

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

Hi Maree, Yes, I remember you! Good question, I can see how it could be confusing. 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, sometimes we want a flying change, sometimes a horse will accidentally 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.

Also important is that there are 2 exercises on the DVD, and the 'forehand yield in motion' is an exercise that requires that the outside hind leg steps around to the inside. So already we are balancing things out.

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 figured 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. I am a very hard worker and I am really eager to learn anything and everything about dressage naturally that you have to offer. I'll keep reading your newsletter and learning everything I can from DVDs and clinics! Thanks so much for your help! -Maree

There are many reasons why a horse may consistently swing out in the hindquarters (rider position, asymmetrical weakness, 'pilot' error, lack of understanding). Hmmm wouldn't it be fun to play with the Basic Alignment exercise with this horse and rider you mentioned in order to refine their 'sweet spot' in order to improve the quality of their connection! Straightness is a prerequisite for the ideal engagement and connection, but the paradox is that we achieve ultimate straightness 3

6 days at Temenos Fields... Karen and Monty teaching

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!)

Ginger and Sparkle

Fran and Heather soaking it in.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.â&#x20AC;? John F. Kennedy

More photos from 6 days at Temenos Fields...

Shelby Ginger, Melanie Kellie

Melanie and Prize looking simply fancy!

The point of view of the chihuahua!

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

News I have added some more resources to my More Resources page on my website. Included are a very important book by Veterinarian Gerd Heuschmann, a couple 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 Karen, JoAnna Mendl Shaw and Monty ‘quality’ and motivation among Some bring a couple horses and other things! alternate. Students divide the time We are nearly finished editing between on line, riding and obanother Results in Harmony serving others. Some use it as a DVD! I am planning on releasing ‘safety net’ and spend most of volumes 3 & 4 together, as they are their time on their own, some have on a similar subject, so it may be a specific things they want help little while before they are out, but with, and some get called in for I am very excited... The subject of one of my special ‘micromanaging these new ones is about making sessions’! ;-) changes in your posture and ridI find it very helpful for me to obing position... in rather unique serve how students use their time, ways, of course! and it is a wonderful chance for Speaking of unique ways of students to learn from other stumoving... JoAnna Mendl Shaw dents at all different levels There is and her dancers are giving a clinic one more Workshop next month, in the Ocala area March 14, 15. March 14. Auditors are invited (Contact Jo Shaw at and encouraged to attend. It usujmsnyc@aol.com). I will be makally proves to be a very fun day. ing a cameo appearance there on So much fun I just might add one Sunday the 15th. more in April! Stay tuned. We just had our February I am in the very beginning monthly Open Format Workshop. stages of organizing a Clinic Tour It has been so fun to watch every- to Australia/NZ for March 2010. one’s improvements. In the Open Stay tuned for details. As soon as I Format, there are 3 hour morning have the information on when, and afternoon sessions. Students where and how to sign up, you can manage their time as they like. will be the first to know! 6

Photo: Dana Rasmussen

I have a new SLIDE SHOW on my home page. I am going to be updating my photos on my website soon. If you are a student and have a fabulous photo of you and your horse doing Dressage, Naturally, 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 website and would like to be an affiliate, 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.

Ancora Imparo

“Is the glass half empty, half full, or twice as large as it needs to be? “ ~Author Unknown “Ancora Imparo” is what Michaelangelo is quoted to have said upon completing the Sistine Chapel... It means: “I am still learning.”

represents the container, the situation we put ourselves in?

peace anywhere. Or does this space positively motivate 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.

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.

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 nothing (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.

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 ‘enoughness’ 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

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

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.”

Perhaps that is Mastery: The artful transfer of your knowledge from one appropriate container or situation 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

Photos: Peggy Finnerty

Visit the web-shop

Dressage, Naturally ... Results in Harmony. Instructional Book/DVD A 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 between these two worlds. The material will take every horseman on a practical and philosophical journey to create healthy biomechanics and stronger partnerships 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

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

Special Package The Book/DVD plus volume 1 & 2 in the Results in Harmony DVD series at a special savings (10% off)

D,N Reins The best of both worlds!

Organic Cotton TShirts available in Women’s style in Chocolate and Black Unisex style in Black Front (all shirts): The horse illustration that is on the book cover plus “Dressage Naturally... results in harmony”

These reins have the elegant look and quiet connection 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.

Back (all shirts): these words: They come packaged in

Women’s 8

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 information can also be found now on my website in a link from the Clinic Schedule page.

participants will be asked to show her the • Individual sessions above prerequisites in order for Karen to • Demonstration make the best plan for the rest of the clinic. Prerequisites (all of the below):

Relaxation, energy and balance 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 biomechanics, 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, energy 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 riding in connection with the reins Format can be a mixture of any combination 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 canter • Impulsive, emotional issues resolved, or able to be handled independently without interrupting the group, or putting yourself or others in the group in danger. • All basic yields (forehand, hindquarters, sideways, back up) understood at a light (no more that ‘Phase 2’) possible

First session assessment skills: • Show a circle game online with transitions, walk, trot, canter and back up. • Ride all basic yields freestyle from a stand still • Ride a circle, or use whole arena showing 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

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.

The focus of this clinic will be to learn:

First session assessment skills:

• How to take the ‘sweet spot’ of healthy biomechanics forward, and gymnastically develop your horse. • Theory, principles of gymnastic development • 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 exercises for Flexibility, Mobility and Collectibility • How to ride so the connection with the reins is positive and beneficial

• (All those for the Sweet Spot course:) • On-line, show how you use conversations about relaxation, energy and balance 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 doing. • Show transitions flowing from walk to basic yields.

Format can be a mixture of any combination of:

• Theory, discussion • Simulation It is very possible that the first session of • Large groups online, riding the clinic will be a group session where • Small groups online, riding

• (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

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