May '09 Newsletter by Dressage Naturally

Home of:

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

Welcome back to the Temenos...

“Vision without action is a daydream. Action with without vision is a nightmare.”

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:

June 10-12 Finding the Sweet Spot Oostburg, The Netherlands

• Q & A: Questions about gymnastic Contact: info@parelli.nl training, and combination bits.

• Student Feedback.

Upcoming Clinics:

Clinic schedule: CLICK HERE

June 13-15 Upward Spiral of Success

~Japanese Proverb.

July 29-31 Upward Spiral of Success Wiltshire, United Kingdom Contact: Lyla Cansfield +44 (0) 798 930 497 info@playlikeahorse.com

Oostburg, The Netherlands

August 3-7 Upward Spiral

Contact: info@parelli.nl

Avenches, Switzerland

June 18-21 Upward Spiral

Contact:

Poland, (Warsaw area)

carmen.zulauf@pnhforyou.com

Contact: Beata Beata@400.pl

Auditors welcome at all events!

Photo Above: Dana Rasmussen

Questions from Readers:

horse has that is opposite to what I would like him to be thinking.

For example: Ovation and I started doing 3-loop serpentines with changes of lead Hi Karen, through the trot. His canter was good at We really enjoyed your article describing this stage, he really found his power, but your experience with Dave Lichman he would just get rolling along. I wanted where you two talked about building patto use this transition exercise to build in terns for dressage. [August 2008 Dressage, Naturally Newsletter] We are won- some more balance, as well as to even dering if you could elucidate us on how to out the right and left leads. The difficulty was that he was so happy with his new build patterns for powerful trot that every time we came the dressage horse, so we can go from across the middle he just wanted to keep halt at x to enter at A, so we can build cooperation and bigger tries into rolling. He was sort of listening to me, but acted completely surprised each time I gymnastical movements such as shouldid the serpentine with the transitions. so der in, half passes, turn on the forehand, I made a consistent pattern that he could etc instead of boredom because of the really count on... for the next 2 sessions, repetition needed to strengthen and advance. Also, how can prevent the pattern EVERY time I cantered a circle, we did transitions back to the trot before we got itself from taking over when the horse predicts what is next and stops tuning into half way through. I also went back to a Freestyle focus, I think it makes it easier you? Where is the line and how can we for the horse to realize there is something learn to walk closer to it and develop naturally confident, strong, and harmoni- that they need to be responsible for. ous horses? At some point a light went on and he ~The Members of the Natural Dressage started anticipating the transition. I went Forum right to the edge of assuming, (where he www.naturaldressageforum.com practically did it himself), and then

Hi there, I am happy to do my best with an answer for you. Since David did such a good job of describing how to create the behavior chains in that August 2008 Newsletter, I thought I would take it from there and expand... A couple points you bring up are: 1. How to strengthen without boring or drilling 2. How to keep use anticipation of a movement to build motivation without losing the horse’s attention on you. Let’s start with the 2nd question first. For me, my personal final picture is that the horse is listening to me, as to what we are going to do, but understand everything is prepared in such a way that he recognizes it and feels confident about it. I don’t really want him making assumptions. (Let’s say an assumption is something that is not easily interrupted, whereas a horse in anticipation is still tuning in, asking a question). But with that said, I will get really close to assumptions at certain times in the training process, or to balance out a strong idea that the

by counting the tempi- changes and doing the correct number even if I zoned out! So if the horse is confident about the work, repetition can give horse and rider a lot of security!

For the question regarding strengthening without boring your horse: There are a few considerations. 1. Build general stamina and aerobic capacity of your horse during something fun and easy (for the horse). Laps around the fields, up and down rolling hills, riding out are ways to build strength without your horse minding or having something to become desensitized to. For me, I can run so much further if I go on a trail, but put me on a treadmill and it is a real test of my emotional fitness!

2. Only sustain something your horse willingly offers. In other words, make sure you are strengthening something your horse understands and can do! Do your best to get to the place stopped. where your first step of the movement is a good one. “Yay, good, job” done deal. The I varied it, sometimes going all the way around, sometimes going on to the next loop. So I used a pattern to get him to change his own assumptions, create a new one, and then achieve a state where he asks, or tunes in. I think every horse is different with what kind of patterns you can use to help. For Monty, who gets emotional when the work is sustained, I use a pattern of stopping and relaxing in every corner. I sometimes need to stay there a while, sometimes he instantly relaxes when I stop and I only need to be there for one breath, sometimes I aim for the corner and I feel him tell me he is ok and we just continue. But it is a pattern that creates an assumption of relaxation, and a way for the whole ride to feel like a series of ‘this... and then... that... and then this... and then that...’ instead of just a blur of constant exercises. So I guess I am saying that I use patterns as a training tool, but not as my final picture... although when I competed a lot, I felt many times that my horse saved me

If you are just learning the shoulder-in and 95% of the attempts are not what you want and only the last 5% are valuable shoulder-ins then just know you are still in the ‘building understanding and coordination phase’. This phase is a necessary phase to go thru, but at this awkward point I am not thinking of strengthening, I am thinking of building confidence, and I take it as slow and deliberately as I need to. BUT.. I want to get through this stage as efficiently as possible, so my horse offers it, knowing that I won’t ask him to sustain it past what he can do. When he offers it easily, then I can strengthen it just as I would strengthen my biceps in the gym, by doing sets of repetitions. Maybe 5 steps shoulder-in here, and 5 steps there... by the end of the ride I amy

have done 40 steps, just not all in a row.

the use of combination bits that include a noseband attached to a bit.

This kind of ‘get in and get out’ really helps build confidence. Of course, the reality is, there is that stage of developing understanding and coordination that is not really pleasant and smooth. You can’t expect too much, but you can’t fuss around forever without helping them get the idea. Just know in this stage you must be endlessly patient and forgiving, but at the same time very hungry and curious about how you can present it to the horse so they can ‘get it’. It is this stage that most people and horses get stuck in... endlessly trying it again and again, most of the time spending most of their time doing the movement NOT the way they want. If you are getting stuck at this stage it can be miserable, uncomfortable and unfun. This is when it is usually referred to as ‘drilling. Something is missing if you are stuck here. Make a big effort to review your picture and understanding of what you are asking for, and make sure you have the basic prerequisites and are asking at an appropriate time in their training.

I purchased a setup like this for Christmas with the intentions of using it as a refinement tool. However, I have heard it is not a very good tool for that use, but cannot find out any specifics.

can be achieved through signals other than the reins. That's it. Then, my concern is to find the bit that the horse finds comfortable to carry in his mouth.

I do not like the bit to have any extra Can you help me? I highly respect action than what I do with my hands. your opinion. In dressage, only a simple snaffle is allowed until the horse is advanced. Sincerely, The even at an advanced level, where in dressage, we may use a curb, Kristie there is still a snaffle also (the double bridle) so we can be very precise Hi Kristie, (about flexion of the poll during advanced collection and high powered Bitting sure can be confusing! movements) but not always have In my book I give my philosophies on leverage being used. The double brithe subject, so I do recommend taking dle gives you that option, and so, ala peek at that. I find that if I am clear though it looks like a lot of stuff, it has on my underlying principles, it makes the potential to be used in a gentler it easier to wade through all the difway than a bit that is ‘all leverage, all ferent choices out there. And, of the time’. course the many different styles of riding have different end pictures of It is difficult to find a true connection what kind of connection they are tryusing a leverage bit alone.... at least ing to create, so it is important to the kind of connection I am looking know this end picture before you try to for... this is why often you see the old understand the equipment they are pictures of the masters riding a horse And some movements do require a using. I do my best to keep a very with a lovely posture and just the curb base-line of strength to begin with. simple philosophy. is used. It is not to show that they Hopefully you can develop that need the leverage, it is to show that strength in general in those fun and For me... the bit should feel as close even with this potentially strong bit, easy ways, and during the prerequito what I imagine it would feel like to the horse trusts the riders hands and site movements, so when they do ofhave my arms so long that I can have is not avoiding or over-flexing... but fer the more strenuous ones they feel capable. This is the whole art of gym- my index fingers sitting in the corners this is a final picture of a master nastic development of the horse! And of their lips. I want to ‘hold hands’ with showing off! it can feel fun and not at all like drilling my horse, not have him jump off it, I think many horses find the mouth when you have taken the time to pre- afraid, and not crashing through the feel so I have to hold him up. piece of the combination bits comfortpare, and are strengthening someable... if the horse has a small mouth thing that is already working well! All I want the reins for is: and likes thin bits, or more tongue I hope that helps! relief, etc.... but I do not like the feel1. Another point of connection being that every ounce in my hand is ~Karen tween my horse and me. being magnified (that is what leverage 2. A way to feel and gain information does. If your horse seems comfortabout the whole horse able wearing the combination bit in 3. Subtle communication about his mouth, perhaps try it on a regular Dear Karen, where the head is pointing and headstall and see how that works. I length of neck. Knowing that even especially do not like if the noseband I am seeking knowledge and an inthis, (as well as everything else), piece is of a thin or bumpy material as formed, experienced opinion about copyright 2009 temenos fields, inc May

the message it is giving is 'hey, don't touch this' ...because I want to feel like I am holding hands with my horse, (and this can still be ounces).

contact, 90% of the reasons why they do that have to do with balance, impulsiveness or lack of seat connection so I address it by solving those issues. Once that is done, it is simple to I have seen some bridles that have a teach a horse to respect the limit of simple leather noseband that attaches the reins. to the cheek pieces of a bridle in a way that pressure from the bit will It is known that if horses learn to flex also go to the nose, and not just on at the poll before they are really ready the mouth, but without any leverage can learn to avoid and hide from the and I have never used this, but it contact. From my point of view as a looks like a good idea. For me, perdressage-trainer, that is ultimately sonally, if a horse is in this intermedi- more difficult to correct than a horse ary stage where he (or his rider) is not that is initially 'too heavy' or that goes ready to go without 'training wheels' I through the connection. use the halter and the bridle... using the reins with the halter primarily and Of course, for every ideal philosophy, shortening or lengthening the reins there are individual exceptions. If attached to the bit to help the horse there is a horse who has developed a understand and accept, as I transition long term pattern of brace, or has to using the bit reins primarily. been taught that he can be dominant with the contact, or a rider who is havIn general, I would like my hands to ing trouble learning how to be light say to my horse: " come hold hands because the horse and he or she are with me, don't worry, feel me! I prom- caught in a cycle of pulling/leaning... it ise I will prepare you so you can stay can be a difficult pattern to break... in self carriage, even though the con- and in this case, a bit that puts levernection is there" In which case a lev- age on the head, and has a sharper erage bit is not the best tool. For 'purchase' to it can be a real attentionhorses that lean or go through the getter that says: "hey, don't pull on that!"

Sometimes that is the piece to break the pattern, if a bad pattern has been put in, or the rider is not experienced enough to solve the real communication or balance issue that is causing the heaviness in the first place. So for many, that can be a worthwhile tool to use... If we can't be ideal, it is perhaps 'better' than getting stuck with pounds of pressure on a snaffle... but make no mistake... it is a mechanical leverage tool! With that said, a gentle piece of equipment can be abused, and a ‘severe’ piece of equipment can be applied artfully and gently. For me, I would rather train so I don't need leverage, and at the advanced stage I can decide when to artfully employ this tool... but that is my reality and challenge. All things going well... combination bit/bridles are not a part of my training program. I hope that helps! May all Your Results Be in Harmony, ~Karen

Photo: www.danarasmussen.com 4

Dear Karen I and II ;-), yesterday I received those fabulous new dvds about posture. I enjoyed very, very much seeing them. When I did those exercises I recognized that my left shoulder has problems since years and my horse also has problems lifting the left front leg. Very interesting!

I would try riding in the saddle, but without stirrups and try the exercises in the DVD (Playing with Posture II) to try to find where you need to loosen or firm up. Then play with picking up your stirrups and trying to keep it. If it is any consolation, my first horse I did dressage with was the most uncomfortable horse to sit, and my parents wouldn’t buy me a dressage saddle until I really proved I was dedicated so I swam around in this oversized all purpose saddle which did not do me any favors! The good news, is I really learned how to sit, because it sure didn’t come for free!

When I focussed on my posture today, I realized again, that I have problems sitting while we are trotting, if I ride in a saddle. If I ride without a saddle I have no problems at all. I can sit however fast my horse trots, but with a saddle on I sometime feel like he is tossing me around. HI Karen Is that a common problem? Where Just wanted to FINALLY get a note does it come from? off to you to thank you for such a Thank you for so much inspiration!! Warm regards, Sybille, Germany Hi Sybille Thanks for our feedback on the DVDs... I am glad you are enjoying them. As for your trouble sitting in the saddle, I can relate! With some horses and/or saddles especially, I find it much easier to have a deep seat sitting bareback. I think it could be that the saddle is not comfortable to the horse, and so the horse moves differently, with a tighter back, or the saddle is throwing your balance off, so I would check that first... Or it simply is a biomechanical challenge for humans to sit and have weight in the stirrups, without pushing off the stirrups and so pushing us out of the saddle. Bareback it is easy to not brace the legs, because there is nothing to push against. Nullam arcu leo, facilisis ut

wonderful clinic...yet again! With your help, I think I made a HUGE break through in my brain! I've always been a "non-conformist" who hated "being in school". I'd much rather be outside running around. I was in my first horse show in 1st grade. While everyone else was riding around all proper and perfect, I was hootin'& hollerin' out in the pasture. Because they had 4 ribbons and only 4 entrants, they had to give me a ribbon. Well, as anyone who knows me, things haven't changed much! I'd much rather be out on a trail ride versus in the ring. Thus, my brain firmly implanted Dressage as "schooling", "framing", creating a "wall in front of the horse"....as evidenced by my body language when talking to you about "collection" (versus connection) When you demonstrated the body language for "connection", it really hit my brain. I suddenly saw a river (which I can easily identify

with being the outdoorsy gal) The banks of a river guide the flow and energy of the river....when the water hits the outer edge of a curve, it shoots the energy smoothly thru the curve using that outer bank edge as a guide. Between your "connection sign" and my river image, I've been able to totally reprogram my head! Josh & I are eternally grateful. Josh and I are "plugging our leaks" and directing our flow better. Of course, I still can't seem to go in the ring to play with my new found brain orientation and skills, but the pasture works just fine...as does a trail in the woods. Thank you again -- it's always a pleasure being with you. Lauren Hi Karen! A few words just to tell you that I had the 1st clinic with P.K. [Philippe Karl]. He was amazed (he said it loudly to all the audience) that I could achieved what he saw (with the Swedish horse you saw in Avenches) only studiing with his dvds & books... Last Saturday I received his letter in which he admitted me in the 1st course of Switzerland, among graduated instructors of his school. What he doesn't realize is how empowered we (your students) are by your way of teaching dressage, relating to impulsion, relaxation, balance and the awareness of our own body moving together with the horse's body... This, with the solid foundations of L3 of the P.N.H. program, fairness in the principles of good hms, brought me simply (maybe not always easily...) 5

and Naturally to catch the attention of one of the most famous figure in the art of classical dressage... his students, riders and instructors . Don't misunderstand me...it is not to speak highly of myself or what I've done, but of you and your approach to dressage and teaching! Those are yours! Your silly things (you said it first in the last newsletter...) that helped me and thousands of other normal people like me (well that was before meeting you...'cos now we are all crazy...crazy of learning more...) I'm sure, to discover and develop sensitivity, sensibility from which the curiosity and desire to look for the sweet spots in every exercise came from, naturally. Always looking forward to having the right emotions and controlling the other ones, I rely on you and where you're taking me!

of on-line and liberty, mobility, etc. and I thought of another. How about something related to the Building Blocks of Riding a Dressage Test, with the emphasis not on competition, but on the collective marks as they relate to the Hi Karen, movements. Maybe...what would it be like to ride a 20 meter trot cirJust wanted to say how great it cle with Impulsion. Or ride a was to see you again and how much I enjoyed the clinic. Again, I canter-trot transition with Submisgot everything I wanted from it and sion. Or ride a shoulder-in in the correct Rider position without conso much more. I guess I need to tortion. Or cross the diagonal with stop being surprised by this. In reflection, I believe the framework a Gait that has freedom and regularity. Anyway, something like that. was laid out at the January clinic at Temenos and we've been building on that. I was so pleased with Okay, take care and can't wait til October ! the session on the hill and the subsequent relaxation at the canGeri and Fischer ter. Also the fact that I feel a little more empowered to make some of ~Geri, I love the suggestions for this happen on my own. I think the topics in a clinic! A note has that is the magic of a really wonbeen made! ~Karen derful instructor. Congratulations, Stephanie, It has been my pleasure to be part of your team, but YOU are the one doing it! It has been fun to watch your evolution. ~Karen

Thank you, Karen, I only gave my You mentioned that you were lookdedication for the good of the horses I ing for ideas for different formats ride and I will have to ride.

for some of the upcoming clinics. I I hope we will meet soon, ~Stéphanie. liked the idea of having segments

Notes: Look for Karen’s article in the May issue of the Savvy Times. In that article there are 2 photos that didn’t get proper Photo credit. See below:

Terri Miller

Dana Rasmussen

Photo: www.danarasmussen.com 6

Watch for the June issue of The Horses Hoof for an article on Karen’s ‘Journey to Barefoot”

Clinic Photos My ‘away’ clinics are in full swing... Big thanks to Lauren Kahn, who hosted 6 days in North Carolina, Sally Taylor who did 5 days in Minnesota and Michelle Boers who hosted 5 days in Ontario. Each also participated as a student, and so also a big “Thank you” to the volunteers that made that possible! Thanks, also to Parelli Instructors Nita Jo Rush in Minnesota and Fawn Anderson in Ontario who attended my clinics as students. I love teaching in an area where there is a Parelli instructor... It gives a great support system to the students in the class, and I appreciate that they make me feel very welcome in their area, often sharing their students with me.

‘Upward Spiral’ Group from North Carolina ‘Finding the Sweet Spot’

group from Minnesota <--------

‘Upward Spiral’ Group from Ontario

Visit the Web shop Instructional Book / DVDs

www.dressagenaturally.net

Reins

T-Shirts & Riding Pants

BOOK:

Dressage Naturally... Results in Harmony: 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.

DN Reins: The best of both worlds! 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. Available in 10 and 12 foot lengths

Organic Cotton T Shirts Available in Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style in Chocolate and Black Unisex style in Black

Sonnenreiter Riding Pants ON SALE! A limited number are left... Buy now before we stop carrying them!

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

DVDs:

Results in Harmony Series 4 DVDs so far! Subjects include: Riding in Connection with the reins, Developing Mobility. & Playing with Posture I & II. 8