Jan '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: Dana Rasmussen

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

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 extra-ordinary events are free to occur.

Clinic schedule: CLICK HERE

This Month:

Upcoming Clinics:

• At it again... We are filming another

Jan 25-30

• Continued Holiday Savings at

6 Days at Temenos Fields Temenos Fields, FL contact: K2

Results in Harmony DVD!

the web shop: The discount

code (HLDY08) works until 1/31/ 09!

Feb 14 Open Format Workshop Temenos Fields, FL

• News for the new year.

contact: K2

• Comment and Question from students. • Ancora Imparo: “I’m still learning”... An essay from Karen about keeping your Beginner’s Mind

March 8-13 Photo: Dana Rasmussen

6 Days at Temenos Fields Temenos Fields, FL contact: K2 1

Happy New Year! I hope that 2009 is off to a wonderful start for all of you! I am so excited for this upcoming year. I am grateful for the health and soundness of all my beautiful horses, wonderful students, and friends. As I write this, a much-needed rain is falling and it is absolutely freezing outside ... Ok, I admit it, it feels more like a nice fall day in NY, but for us Floridians, 50 degrees Fahrenheit and raining is FREEZING!

Speaking of challenges to the training system... my little ‘toy’, Atomic has been keeping me on my toes. We seem to be finally getting past the little issue of him biting me when I ride him. :-) With him I have really had to focus on two areas: Assessing my leadership style and using friendly game to change his reflexive reaction to ‘scary’ things. My latest focus has been on being more of a leader, but less dominant. Demanding attentiveness, but not pestering him. Being more of a boss mare, than a dominant bachelor male.

support the clinics, students have been progressing so much better!

Fun:

I will be writing more about him in future issues of this newsletter.

Filming: (Monty , me and some dancers from The Equus Project)

I had the pleasure of playing with the dancers from The Equus Project (you can find out more about them at:

Atomic, (my big horse in a little package) Monty takes his rightful place during filming of some test-footage

We just came in from filming the third in the Results in Harmony DVD series. This one is going to be a little... different. It is going to be about Playing with Posture and it is exercises for you, the human, more than for the horse. I wanted to target this one to come out this winter, at a time when I know many of you are snowed in, and find it difficult to ride. We still have all the editing and production to do with it, but I look forward to getting it to you. I think you will find it very entertaining as well as useful!

Horses: For those of you who may miss seeing Ovation, don’t worry! He is going so beautifully these days and I plan on doing more filming of him very soon. It is like he is coming out of the ‘gawky teenager’ stage and is coming fully into his body. This horse did not present himself at all as a natural for dressage (especially as far as his motivation, crookedness and opposition reflex) , but all the foundation strategies, the isolated gymnastic skills I have installed, the priority for developing keenness and responsiveness.and understanding.... is all starting to really pay off. In the end, the real test of a training method is not that it can work on the most talented horses, but that it can work on the less talented ones! 2

Monty, (the King) is just going fabulously. He is at the stage in his life where he really doesn’t need to be pushed. He has done so much for me, and his body is... well... past its prime, but not at all ready to stop. I feel like every step is precious. He does everything I ask and it is my responsibility now to preserve his body, his confidence and his pride. He is so funny, like some sort of zen master, a picture of efficiency. He walks around the place doing what I call his: “thousand year old school horse” impersonation (imhorsination??). Then when it is time, he springs to action in an embodiment of elasticity, grace, balance and power. I am also now casually looking for a new member of the Temenos herd... I would like to find a horse that will mature at least 16.3.... 3-4 years old (already well started, but not much else done). Breed is not important (but I have been looking at warmbloods and warmblood/ Lusitano or warmblood/Andalusion crosses. Gelding or mare. Movement of ‘7+’ at least for dressage gaits. Any breeders out there with a young prospect?

www.Dancingwithhorses.org). I am always happy to watch their horsemanship evolve, and to see just how beautiful it can look to play with a horse when you have such amazing awareness and coordination in your own body. JoAnna and her company will be back in Ocala March 14,15 to teach a clinic. I will be making some sort of appearance at it on the Sunday of the clinic. I and three of my students also just had an introduction to Pilates from Janice Dulak. It was a great class, adding yet another piece to the puzzle of being the best riders we can be. She had a clear way of communicating some of the biomechanical pieces that are necessary to have an engaged seat. This recent experience with the dancers and Janice both solidified my confidence in the usefulness of the DVD we just filmed!

Enjoy!

Students: We just had another of our monthly workshops here. It was great to see everyone again and I was thrilled at the progress everyone made. It has been so satisfying to teach in general this year. With the book/DVDs to copyright 2009 temenos fields, inc jan

Holiday Discount Code: HLDY08 valid until Jan 31, 2009 Organic Cotton T-Shirts 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” Back (all shirts): these words:

--->

They come packaged in their own 100% recycled paper

Women’s

Unisex

bags (no plastic!)

Results In Harmony Volume 1: Riding in Connection with the Reins Karen discusses her philosophy of establishing a positive connection with the reins. You will see her put theory to practice and listen to a real time commentary as she plays with her horse Ovation, who, at the time of this filming, is at a stage where he is just learning about this. You will see the ingredients that she develops and techniques she uses to dissolve Ovation's potential for bracing in the contact.

Results In Harmony Volume 2: Developing Mobility Ovation continues to develop his gymnastic skills! Here Karen shows the intermediary steps between basic foundational yields and mobility exercises (lateral work) both on-line and riding. This DVD is 50 minutes (20 minutes longer than the last one...) at the same price!

D,N Reins

Special Package!

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.

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

These reins are getting rave reviews for looks and feel. Many long time dressage riders with sore hands are opting for this rein as it is easy to hold in a soft hand. Natural horsemanship riders love the clean, classy look and quiet connection compared to rope reins that attach with a metal snap. Available in 10 and 12 foot lengths.

*****DISCOUNT CODE -- HLDY08 ********* An additional 10% off everything on my website, just for you, my newsletter subscribers. This code is good through JAN. 31, 2009. The code is: HLDY08 (as in Holiday ’08) And yes, it takes an additional 10% off even the Special Package shown above! Remember, in order to get the discount, you need to enter the code when prompted by the web store! copyright 2009 Temenos Fields, Inc Jan

Visit the web shop at dressagenaturally.net

Some student feedback and questions. Dear Mrs. Rohlf, some days ago I received your dvdbook package. I started learning immediately. I am totally hooked (is that the right explanation? I am not so sure concerning my english;-)). After 3 days of training - today - I could already sit on my horse without reins, without a halter, and let him trot totally loose. He understood that when I let my spine loose, he should relax, put his nose down and let loose. For me this was unbelievable some days ago (I am now riding for 32 years, doing PNH for 10 years) . It is amazing!

distracted. I was wondering if I should try to obtain the "let loose" posture at this time? I thought about it today as I rode, after he had several days off, and wondered if it was the best way to get his body supple and loose enough to do more things?

alignment exercise sometimes makes it worse (they feel like they are being blindfolded and can't watch for danger and then can feel more anxious)

My little Nat'l show horse, Atomic, gets very distracted and I have to It worked wonderfully but I was wonreally watch... if i start talking to his dering what you would suggest if a body too, much too soon he gets mad horse is distracted with his surround- and feels worse! I have to do a comings and obviously not giving his bination of confidence building if he is body to you 100% should you suggest really nervous about something, and the let loose posture initially just to then also just clear leadership about : get everything supple so that it might 'hey, here we go,..' being more prebe possible to do other more athletic cise about acceptance of leadership, things? his general state and things like line of direction and his responsibilities Thank you in advance for any advise. than posture... then he settles in to what I am doing... and then the posDiane, ture is better already with out necesFreezing up north where we now sarily working on it. Best regards, have SNOW! Sybille On the other hand, another horse gets distracted and the alignment exThank you so much, Sybille, for taking ercise really helps him focus on what the time to write me to tell me that, it is going on inside his is SO appreciated... and for the rebody and it breaks the cord, everyone can call me Karen! :-) cycle of: distraction ~Karen leads to twisting around, leads to crooked, leads to braced...

Hi Karen, Many times when I start to ride my Hi Diane, Arab/QH he is distracted by other thanks for your patience in waiting for things going on around him. He my reply! Interesting question... and seems to focus well at play now that I like many things with horses.... my have slowed things down so much answer will be... sometimes, maybe that he has to watch me to see and perhaps! :-) what's next.:-) Anyway, my question is when I begin to ride him I usually check that I have flexion, move the front end around, check my freestyle back up etc. When I begin to "ride" he often seems 4

The alignment exercise for a let loose posture can definitely help a horse focus more internally and therefore can help change their attention. But, if they are nervous about their environment, or anything, doing the

I guess the difference between the two horses and two strategies is determined by if there is any fear in the distraction. I would also note that you mentioned that his ‘distraction’ comes up when you begin to “ride” him, which i guess means when the warm up is over... he may be telling you that he is not so confident in that moment, and taking time to help him understand, and be more successful will also improve his state of mind and posture. I hope this helps,let me know! My Best, Karen (in sunny florida!) copyright, 2009 Temenos Fields, Inc Jan

Ancora Imparo

“In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few” — Shunryu Suzuki Photo: Dana Rasmussen

strongly agree with the quote above,

by the Japanese Zen priest, Suzuki...but, as a professional, especially, it can be a real trick to live by it. How do you balance confidence, expertise and experience, with humbleness, openness and curiosity?

of. And so we must make small decisions in every moment, so we balance our ability to be a teacher/leader at the same time we are a student/observer.

For me there is also a larger cycle. A cycle of blocks of time when I am a student and a teacher. When I was in NY, I was first a student, then I became professional and was a teacher/trainer, but I still took lesThere is a constant balance that needs to sons from my trainer so I was also a stuhappen in every moment. If we are aldent. When I came to Parelli I decided to ways questioning ourselves, then perhaps be 100% student during the first year I we are open to magical moments that we spent with them. It was the best way to might not have consciously created... but stop my own ideas and learn some new can be ‘wishy-washy’ or vague leaders. If ones. we are always non-negotiable, we may be confident , clear communicators/leaders, During the next year I did my best to try but we may miss some amazing moments to make sense out of what I had learned, that are better than we may have thought and the next several years assimilating, copyright 2009 temenos fields, inc Jan

experimenting, learning from my horses, teaching, writing, systematizing... (What a wonderful whirlwind this was! My brain loves this job!) But one day recently I realized... My most recent block of time has been the longest I have gone without a trainer/teacher in close proximity to me on a daily basis... and I thought it was beginning to ‘show’. My Temenos Fields is gloriously private. And after so many years teaching and training at a facility with 40 boarders and 8 instructors... I am LOVING it! BUT... Something happens when I ride by myself all the time... without really realizing it.... even for an obsessively motivated and dedicated person like me... I start to make these little decisions... decisions that allow me to rest before I need to, or 5

to do rising trot when I could sit, or to become obsessive when my horse is really fabulous and I need to relax. I start doing the same things I always do... and get only the same results I always get. My crooked side gets ‘crookeder’, my weak side gets weaker. (Yes, all these things happen to professionals, too!)

doing Dressage, Naturally? Who knows. What we ARE doing is listening to each other. A good instructor listens to the student, listens to the horse, and then the good student listens back.

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.” Maybe its just me, but I like the idea of a lot of possibilities. But I guess that makes sense in that one of my own favorite mottos is: “Never underestimate the potential for things to improve in ways you cannot yet imagine.”

What we share is a similar picture of the end product. I prepare my horses to be ready for her, she prepares to be ready for The trouble is when problems start to me. We think about what specifically we arise, if you are in ‘Expert Mode’ you want help with. We discuss. We laugh a will tend to see the problem as other than lot. It is like this because we are peers. It Even (or maybe especially) for profesyourself... It is the horse, ‘of course’, who is like this because we both have a respect sionals, or more advanced students, it is easy to run out of ideas when you spend is not learning well. You tend to get more for what the other has experience with. too much time alone without some one to clear and determined in your idea, you She told me I could sit back more and be your mirror, or audience, or even to stick with it until it works. In ‘Student present a challenge or person to try to Mode’, you err on the side of caution, you was surprised when I was so excited. I loved the idea that I had thought I was in impress. All these things are necessary to seek help. You get curious, you investithe best position, and here someone just step up, to stay inspired, energized, degate and you look at yourself first. Of told me there was an even more ideal veloping... So for all you students out ridcourse you may doubt yourself and get way for me to be sitting! I loved that ing in your back yards, or alone in a field frustrated... but you are a student! You even though I was sure that my horse’s most of the time... I know how gloriously can always ask for help! I am being a litshoulder was falling to the left, it was wonderful it is, and I know the challenge tle exaggerated here, but I think you get asking for a haunches in right that made it presents for staying confident. Go the idea. it feel better! Who would have guessed teach someone, even if you just explain Many times I hear students telling me that?! ;-) what you are doing to your dog. For the how it is difficult for them to stay inprofessionals/advanced students who The thing is, this can happen between spired, how they can’t get help... And seem stuck, or find that easy things are professionals, or between student peers. here I was alone in my beautiful place becoming difficult again... remember to The information and lessons I have been thinking almost the same thing. be a student. Give yourself some tests, getting are very helpful, for sure. But ask someone to observe you and give you So I called my friend, neighbor and felperhaps just as valuable was the shift in feedback. Students can help each other. low dressage professional who lives ALL my brain that made me set up the cirTHE WAY across the street and booked a cumstance of signing up to be a student As soon as you find your Beginner’s lesson. for that moment. It put me back into ‘Be- Mind, you instantly have the feeling of ginner’s Mind’ It put me back in a state of possibility, and with that comes hope, “What am I going to teach you?” she curiosity. curiosity, excitement and motivation. asked when I showed up, check in hand.“ I should be taking lessons from you.” She Thank Goodness I don’t know everyWell, at least for me! said. And so we began our barter, handthing!! Thank Goodness I still have many I will share more about these lessons in the future! ing the symbolic check back and forth to many ways to improve!! Thank Goodness each other. Because even though we live that what I can do now is not the best I right across the street and have been can ever do. wanting help from each other, we never Conversely, In NY I had many students scheduled it. It was so easy and convenon ‘full training’ and what happened ient that we never did it. with them, is often they were only stuNow we are trading back and forth, she dents, and lost confidence to ride on their helps me with my horses, (trying to figure own with out a lesson. out what to say instead of “on the bit” when I ride in the halter), and I try to use Everything must be in balance. For me I sometimes need to remember to just ride the word ‘rest’ instead of ‘dwell’. She is ruthless about my position and I give her ... to not always train. I need to always know that I am first a student, and secstrange exercises and make her drop the ond an expert. reins a lot. Are we doing dressage? Are we doing natural horsemanship? Are we

The clinic participants in Texas, Nov 2008! Buster O’Connor of Verdeo, on a shoot for the new Results in Harmony DVD. Graphic design, video... and he’s getting pretty good at handling a carrot stick!

My working student, Breanne Peters and I get a very special visitor to Temenos Fields: Walter Zettl

Monty and Karen get to play with the ‘Dancing With Horses Dancers!