Podcast Archives
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 him to be a kindred spirit and am so happy to have connected with him. I loved our conversation and I think you will too.
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 their hearts.
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.
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.
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 listen to find out!.
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.
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.
EP142: Beginning With Regard
In this episode I talk about a happy shift I have noticed with beginner and novice riders I have seen these days compared to the past. It has to do with a change in priorities.
EP141: Brain & Butt
In this episode I’ll be talking about the brain and the butt. How they relate, when you need to connect them, and when you need to separate them!
EP140: Endings
In this episode I respond to a student’s question about ‘endings’, specifically when dreams we have with our horses come to an end. This will be more about life lessons than horse lessons… but isn’t it always horses who cause us to strive to be our best?
EP139: Dominant & Submissive
In this episode I’ll talk about the idea of dominance and submission. It’s less of a scientific dissertation, and more of a discussion of those terms and the practical application in real life. Plus there’s a bonus story about the power of belief.
EP138: Artistic Dressage Symposium
In this episode I’ll talk about a recent symposium hosted by the Baroque Equestrian Games & Institute where I was invited to do 2 demonstrations. I’ll share about the event and the highlights of my demonstrations and of course, will gush about how cool my horses are.
EP137: Restoring Heathy Movement with Mary Debono
In this episode I’ll be talking with Mary Debono. She is a certified Feldenkreis practitioner focused on helping horses and riders enjoy freer, healthier movement even if challenged by injury, arthritis, anxiety or pain. We found a lot of common ground with how we approach improving horse’s movement so I think you will really love our conversation!
EP136: Improve How Your Horse Moves: Part 2
This episode is Part 2 of last week’s pod, where I continue to look at how to improve your horse’s movement. We’ll look at some often-missed root causes for unhealthy biomechanics and the most important conversations you need to have with your horse in able to improve how your horse moves.
EP135: Improve How Your Horse Moves: Part 1
In this episode, I’ll look at how to improve your horse’s movement. I’ll talk about the very first steps that are usually over-looked. Instead of jumping right into aids to change their bodies, we’re going to take a moment to observe. This is Part 1. Part 2 is the next episode.
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Who’s awesome? Solana is awesome. Cantering around bridleless on a happy horse will always feel amazing. What a gift it is 😍
Feb 11
Y𝗲𝘀, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
It`s all about 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
It`s been so fun watching Kelly and her horses, especially Anthony, who was given to her because of extreme behavior and trust issues. This year, he did his first Prix St George tests.
Below are some words from Kelly.
If you are wondering how this can work for YOU, the program I recommend the most as a starting point is the 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 program. It provides a CONCISE overview of how to prioritize, along with key exercises to get started...
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘆:
"Six years ago, I discovered the Dressage Naturally program online. After completing the Sweet Spot program, joining the Video Classroom, and now training with Karen in person, my understanding of horse training, behavior, and progressing through the dressage levels has grown tremendously.
I spent many years training with respected dressage professionals — including a former Olympian, a high-level judge, and a Gold Medalist — then through Karen’s approach, my partnerships with my horses transformed in a way I had never experienced before.
Through her work, my horses and I became deeply connected. From this new level of communication, everything else improved — relaxation, understanding, and performance.
Using the Dressage Naturally principles, I’ve been able to help them— and now help clients horses — with both behavioral challenges and dressage training, always keeping the horse’s experience at the center of the process.
Karen teaches in a way that brings clarity not only to the rider, but to the horse as well. That dual understanding is what truly changes everything.
Feb 6
🎤 NEW POD 💥 EP253: EXUBERANCE OR TROUBLE?
Enjoy this short excerpt
For the FULL episode go to: https://dressagenaturally.net/podcast/
Or search for Horse Training In Harmony Episode 253 wherever you listen.
In this episode I talk about how we should feel about our horse getting ‘big’ when online or at liberty. Will it make it more likely they’ll leap and buck under saddle? Is it OK or not OK to allow it?
.
.
#dressagenaturally #karenrohlf #horsetraininginharmony #horsepodcast #horses #myhorseisperfect #ilovemyhorse #horsemanship #happyhealthyhorse
Feb 6
OK I did a not-directly-about-horses thing!
This is a true story told in words and photos about appreciation and the purpose of life. It is about noticing the beauty all around us… and the messages I received about myself and the world when I started doing that.
You can search for it on Amazon.
And if you love it please leave a review on Amazon! 🤗🤗
#findingbeauty
Jan 31
🎤 NEW POD 💥 EP252: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE MISTREATMENT
Enjoy this short excerpt
For the FULL episode go to: https://dressagenaturally.net/podcast/
Or search for Horse Training In Harmony Episode 252 wherever you listen.
In this episode I continue my exploration of what we can do to help horses when they are being mistreated. Helping to improve horse welfare isn’t just about taking action in the worst cases, it is about bringing awareness to the smaller moments in a way that creates change.
.
.
#dressagenaturally #karenrohlf #horsetraininginharmony #horsepodcast #horses #myhorseisperfect #ilovemyhorse #horsemanship #equinewelfare #happyhealthyhorse
Jan 30
Who’s awesome? Solana is awesome. Cantering around bridleless on a happy horse will always feel amazing. What a gift it is 😍
Feb 11
Y𝗲𝘀, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
It`s all about 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
It`s been so fun watching Kelly and her horses, especially Anthony, who was given to her because of extreme behavior and trust issues. This year, he did his first Prix St George tests.
Below are some words from Kelly.
If you are wondering how this can work for YOU, the program I recommend the most as a starting point is the 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 program. It provides a CONCISE overview of how to prioritize, along with key exercises to get started...
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘆:
"Six years ago, I discovered the Dressage Naturally program online. After completing the Sweet Spot program, joining the Video Classroom, and now training with Karen in person, my understanding of horse training, behavior, and progressing through the dressage levels has grown tremendously.
I spent many years training with respected dressage professionals — including a former Olympian, a high-level judge, and a Gold Medalist — then through Karen’s approach, my partnerships with my horses transformed in a way I had never experienced before.
Through her work, my horses and I became deeply connected. From this new level of communication, everything else improved — relaxation, understanding, and performance.
Using the Dressage Naturally principles, I’ve been able to help them— and now help clients horses — with both behavioral challenges and dressage training, always keeping the horse’s experience at the center of the process.
Karen teaches in a way that brings clarity not only to the rider, but to the horse as well. That dual understanding is what truly changes everything.
Feb 6
🎤 NEW POD 💥 EP253: EXUBERANCE OR TROUBLE?
Enjoy this short excerpt
For the FULL episode go to: https://dressagenaturally.net/podcast/
Or search for Horse Training In Harmony Episode 253 wherever you listen.
In this episode I talk about how we should feel about our horse getting ‘big’ when online or at liberty. Will it make it more likely they’ll leap and buck under saddle? Is it OK or not OK to allow it?
.
.
#dressagenaturally #karenrohlf #horsetraininginharmony #horsepodcast #horses #myhorseisperfect #ilovemyhorse #horsemanship #happyhealthyhorse
Feb 6
OK I did a not-directly-about-horses thing!
This is a true story told in words and photos about appreciation and the purpose of life. It is about noticing the beauty all around us… and the messages I received about myself and the world when I started doing that.
You can search for it on Amazon.
And if you love it please leave a review on Amazon! 🤗🤗
#findingbeauty
Jan 31
🎤 NEW POD 💥 EP252: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE MISTREATMENT
Enjoy this short excerpt
For the FULL episode go to: https://dressagenaturally.net/podcast/
Or search for Horse Training In Harmony Episode 252 wherever you listen.
In this episode I continue my exploration of what we can do to help horses when they are being mistreated. Helping to improve horse welfare isn’t just about taking action in the worst cases, it is about bringing awareness to the smaller moments in a way that creates change.
.
.
#dressagenaturally #karenrohlf #horsetraininginharmony #horsepodcast #horses #myhorseisperfect #ilovemyhorse #horsemanship #equinewelfare #happyhealthyhorse
Jan 30



















