Horse Training in Harmony

Karen Rohlf

Do you want to advance up the levels without sacrificing your horse's welfare and your relationship with him? Do you find it confusing trying to reconcile competitive training techniques with methods that prioritize partnership? Get ready for some fresh insights and a deeper understanding of how to progress with your horse. This podcast invites an evolution in your training and learning experience. Karen Rohlf will give you specific techniques and exercises, ‘outside the box’ concepts, and perspectives from top professionals. This show will explore how you can create stronger partnerships and healthy biomechanics, and will help you be your best self for your horse and for your life; free from the fear of making mistakes and dogmatic ‘right vs wrong’ thinking. As an author, internationally popular clinician, and creator of the Dressage Naturally program, Karen has been filling in the missing pieces and catalyzing breakthroughs for amateur and professional horsemen and women around the world. This show will have something for riders of every level and discipline. Learn more at https://dressagenaturally.net/

  1. EP251: USPC Equine Welfare Task Force

    JAN 9

    EP251: USPC Equine Welfare Task Force

    In this episode I am joined by the USPC Equine Welfare Task Force, made up of: Dr Stacy Anderson, Heather Bell, Dr Laura Thompson, Christina Keim. In creating this, they are leading the way for education on equine wellness and will have a huge influence on a new generation of horsemen. This is so important and I’m excited to have these wonderful women on the pod. I think you’ll love hearing about what they’ve created and will be left feeling optimistic.    About the Guests: Christina Keim, M.Ed., M.F.A. is an award-winning equestrian journalist and professional horsewoman with over 25 years experience in the industry. Her written work has appeared extensively in top equestrian publications, and she is the author of the new book, Unwanted: the Causes and Effects of America's Horse Population Crisis. For nearly twenty years a top intercollegiate hunter seat coach, Ms. Keim now teaches compassionate horsemanship and offers Equestrian Yoga and Mounted Mindfulness sessions both on the road and out of her Cold Moon Farm in Rochester, New Hampshire (christinakeim.com).  Heather Bell: Life member of USPC. Graduate A. Career as a Wildlife biologist specializing in endangered species recovery, and leading agencies through contentious decisions and change.   Dr. Stacy Anderson DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS-LA is an equine surgeon who serves as Dean of the Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University. A Pony Club Graduate ‘A,’ she has served as a USPC National Examiner, national committee member, and contributor to the USPC Equine Welfare Taskforce. Dr. Anderson has trained and competed horses and riders through Preliminary level eventing and Prix St. George level dressage. She is a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist, and is currently working toward her Gold medal with her12 year old Swedish warmblood gelding.   Dr Laura Thompson has been an ambulatory equine vet in northern Colorado for almost 25 years. She teaches part time at Front Range Community college for the last 20+ years. She has her USPC H-A rating and still rides and competes. Her daughter competes at the FEI level in vaulting and they trained their own horse from scratch to FEI.   About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a student-empowering approach to teaching, and a positive and balanced point of view. She believes in getting to the heart of our mental, emotional, and physical partnership with our horses by bringing together the best of the worlds of dressage and partnership-based training.   Karen’s passion for teaching extends beyond horse training. Her For The Love Of The Horse: Transform Your Business program is a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry.  Resource Links: Article about USPC Equine Welfare Task Force: https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/uspc-brings-equine-welfare-to-the-forefront-with-happyhealthyhorse-initiative/ Pony Club Vision & Values: a...

    1h 1m
  2. EP250: Low Performance with Dr Jenny Susser

    JAN 2

    EP250: Low Performance with Dr Jenny Susser

    In this episode I speak with high performance expert Dr Jenny Susser, a self described athlete, scientist, horse lover and people expert. She helps people with high performance, but today I’m going to ask her about embracing contentedness with “low performance”… and what that even means. This talk will get personal as I share some challenges I’ve been having at this point in my life & career.    About the Guest: Dr. Jenny has a doctoral degree in Clinical Health Psychology, specializing in Sport & Performance Psychology, Dr. Jenny is a New York State licensed psychologist, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, and a member of the USOC Olympic Registry, the highest distinction a Sport Psychologist can obtain in the United States. A former high performing athlete, Dr. Jenny was a four-year All-American swimmer and then assistant coach at UCLA, Pac-10 Champion, swam on two national teams, and competed at the 1988 Olympic Trials.  Dr. Jenny has worked with Division I collegiate teams from UCLA, USC, and Hofstra University, individual high school athletes of all levels, and athletes of all sports and ages, professional, international, Olympic, and amateur. Dr. Jenny was the 2012 USET Olympic Team Sport Psychologist for the United States Olympic Dressage Team in London.  After working for a decade with high performing athletes, Dr. Jenny took her experience to the corporate world, applying the tools of high performance to the pressures of the business world. As a keynote speaker and corporate trainer. With a philosophy of blending of science/research, education, experience, and intuition, her ability to flex and draw from multi-dimensional resources creates a powerful experience and remarkable results. Dr. Jenny successfully applies her years of experience promoting health, wellness, and performance to sport and corporate teams and individuals looking to make a lasting, positive difference in their professional and personal lives.  I’ve known Dr Jenny from my days living on Long Island… Now we are both here in Ocala.  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a student-empowering approach to teaching, and a positive and balanced point of view. She believes in getting to the heart of our mental, emotional, and physical partnership with our horses by bringing together the best of the worlds of dressage and partnership-based training.   Karen’s passion for teaching extends beyond horse training. Her For The Love Of The Horse: Transform Your Business program is a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry.    Resource Links: FREE Postural Rehabilitation Webinar with Dr Gellman: https://dnkarenr.krtra.com/t/xY1hza5wq0rK AUDIOBOOK Dressage Naturally: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/book-audio-573092 Naturally VIDEO CLASSROOM: https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/ Ask a question or leave a message for the pod: a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/AskKarenAnything"...

    1h 7m
  3. EP249: Postural Rehabilitation with Dr Judith Shoemaker & Dr Karen Gellman

    12/19/2025

    EP249: Postural Rehabilitation with Dr Judith Shoemaker & Dr Karen Gellman

    In this episode I am joined by Dr Judith Shoemaker and Dr Karen Gellman. They talk about Postural Rehabilitation and why horses may not respond to treatment. It is often due to underlying imbalances and they discuss different areas you’ll want to look at. Free webinar about Postural Rehabilitation. About the Guests:  Judith M. Shoemaker, DVM, is well known practitioner and educator in integrative veterinary medicine and therapy.  A 1980 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Shoemaker's 32 year experience in clinical practice focuses on holistic medicine and therapy, utilizing chiropractic, acupuncture, state of the art dentistry and farriery, and multiple other complementary modalities.  Licensed in 16 states, she provides comprehensive maintenance, therapeutic management and consultation for top competitors, and companion animals, in the US and internationally.  Dr. Karen Gellman holds DVM and PhD degrees from Cornell University in animal locomotion biomechanics. She has advanced training and certification in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary chiropractic, and has practiced these and other holistic modalities since 1995.  She teaches about posture, biomechanics and holistic therapies to veterinarians world wide, is research director of Maximum Horsepower Research and practices holistic veterinary medicine in New York State, and on a consulting basis.  In 2024, Dr. Gellman revived the popular Postural Rehabilitation program, with co-teachers Dr. Judith Shoemaker and Alexander Teacher Elizabeth Reese, offering Postural Rehabilitation Professional training online for equine professionals and Postural Rehabilitation for Horses for riders and horse enthusiasts.  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a student-empowering approach to teaching, and a positive and balanced point of view. She believes in getting to the heart of our mental, emotional, and physical partnership with our horses by bringing together the best of the worlds of dressage and partnership-based training.   Karen’s passion for teaching extends beyond horse training. Her For The Love Of The Horse: Transform Your Business program is a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry.    Resource Links:  FREE Postural Rehabilitation Webinar with Dr Gellman: https://dnkarenr.krtra.com/t/xY1hza5wq0rK AUDIOBOOK Dressage Naturally: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/book-audio-573092 Naturally VIDEO CLASSROOM: https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/ Ask a question or leave a message for the pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AskKarenAnything How To Create A Happy Athlete course: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/hats...

    57 min
  4. EP248: Your Horse's M.O.

    12/12/2025

    EP248: Your Horse's M.O.

    In this episode I talk about your horse’s M.O. Is there a quirk or behavior that continues through as you train? That even if you improve it, it comes back…  how do we feel about that and what do we do about it?  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a student-empowering approach to teaching, and a positive and balanced point of view. She believes in getting to the heart of our mental, emotional, and physical partnership with our horses by bringing together the best of the worlds of dressage and partnership-based training.   Karen’s passion for teaching extends beyond horse training. Her For The Love Of The Horse: Transform Your Business program is a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry.  Resource Links: AUDIOBOOK Dressage Naturally: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/book-audio-573092 Naturally VIDEO CLASSROOM: https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/ Ask a question or leave a message for the pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AskKarenAnything How To Create A Happy Athlete course: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/hats Discount code: HATS100 to save $100 Private Consult: https://karenrohlf.as.me/schedule/d1232333/appointment/1513707/calendar/any?appointmentTypeIds[]=1513707 The Dressage Naturally Book+Video: https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/collections/home-page-featured/products/book-dvdKaren Rohlf’s Course: Sweet Spot of Healthy Biomechanics: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/sweet-spot-course Get 3 free training videos: https://dressagenaturally.net/free-dressage-training-videos/ Course: Habits For Excellent Horsemanship: https://dressagenaturally.net/habits. Program for Professionals: TYB Action & Support Group: https://dressagenatural.samcart.com/products/action-and-support-group-tyb/ Join the conversation in our Dressage Naturally Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DressageNaturallyLand  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please...

    27 min
  5. EP247: Wanting To

    11/28/2025

    EP247: Wanting To

    In this episode I muse about how my horses and I navigate our feelings of ‘wanting to’ do things together (or not). I’ll share some stories of my horses and hopefully leave you feeling a little more free.    About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a student-empowering approach to teaching, and a positive and balanced point of view. She believes in getting to the heart of our mental, emotional, and physical partnership with our horses by bringing together the best of the worlds of dressage and partnership-based training.    Karen’s passion for teaching extends beyond horse training. Her For The Love Of The Horse: Transform Your Business program is a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry.    Resource Links: Video Of Teo at Liberty: November 2025: Your Horse Gets To Choose: Dressage Naturally VIDEO CLASSROOM: https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/ Ask a question or leave a message for the pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AskKarenAnything How To Create A Happy Athlete course: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/hats[Text Wrapping Break]Discount code: HATS100 to save $100 Private Consult: https://karenrohlf.as.me/schedule/d1232333/appointment/1513707/calendar/any?appointmentTypeIds[]=1513707 The Dressage Naturally Book+Video: https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/collections/home-page-featured/products/book-dvdKaren Rohlf’s Course: Sweet Spot of Healthy Biomechanics: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/sweet-spot-course Get 3 free training videos: https://dressagenaturally.net/free-dressage-training-videos/ Course: Habits For Excellent Horsemanship: https://dressagenaturally.net/habits. Program for Professionals: TYB Action & Support Group: https://dressagenatural.samcart.com/products/action-and-support-group-tyb/ Join the conversation in our Dressage Naturally Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DressageNaturallyLand     Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!  Don’t forget to FOLLOW the...

    39 min
  6. EP246: My Horse is Perfect

    11/14/2025

    EP246: My Horse is Perfect

    In this episode I talk about how perfect my horses are - not just my horses, but your horses, and all horses! This is not some superficial positive thinking, it’s  a context and an attitude that has a tremendous influence on how you train and live with horses.  About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a student-empowering approach to teaching, and a positive and balanced point of view. She believes in getting to the heart of our mental, emotional, and physical partnership with our horses by bringing together the best of the worlds of dressage and partnership-based training.   Karen’s passion for teaching extends beyond horse training. Her For The Love Of The Horse: Transform Your Business program is a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry.    Resource Links: Blog: Assumption of Obligingness: https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/an-assumption-of-obligingness Ask a question or leave a message for the pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AskKarenAnything How To Create A Happy Athlete course: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/hats[Text Wrapping Break]Discount code: HATS100 to save $100 Private Consult: https://karenrohlf.as.me/schedule/d1232333/appointment/1513707/calendar/any?appointmentTypeIds[]=1513707 The Dressage Naturally Book+Video: https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/collections/home-page-featured/products/book-dvd\ Karen Rohlf’s Dressage Naturally VIDEO CLASSROOM: https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/ Karen Rohlf’s Course: Sweet Spot of Healthy Biomechanics: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/sweet-spot-course Get 3 free training videos: https://dressagenaturally.net/free-dressage-training-videos/ Course: Habits For Excellent Horsemanship: https://dressagenaturally.net/habits. Program for Professionals: TYB Action & Support Group: https://dressagenatural.samcart.com/products/action-and-support-group-tyb/ Join the conversation in our Dressage Naturally Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DressageNaturallyLand  Thanks so much for

    23 min
  7. EP245: Wild Horses with Scott Beckstead

    10/31/2025

    EP245: Wild Horses with Scott Beckstead

    In this episode I’ll be talking with Scott Beckstead of the Wild Horse Refuge in Colorado. We’ll talk about how he is helping wild horses who have been rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management return to a life of freedom. About the Guest: A lifelong student and admirer of horses and all equines, Scott Beckstead grew up with horses on his family’s farm and spent much of his childhood and youth on horseback in the mountains of Idaho. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Utah State University and his JD from the University of Utah, Beckstead worked as an attorney in private practice for 17 years on the central Oregon coast before going to work full-time in the animal protection sector as a legislative lobbyist, agriculture policy director, and equine welfare specialist. During his time on the coast he also served as the mayor of Waldport, Oregon from 2002 to 2007.  Beckstead became known for his special expertise in the field of animal law, and has taught that subject as well as classes on wildlife, animal agriculture, cannabis, and polar law at Willamette University College of Law as an adjunct professor of law since 2010. In 2000, he co-authored Animal Law, the first casebook on the subject.  Because of his familiarity with horses, livestock, and farm animals, Beckstead provides training to law enforcement agencies on how to handle and work with those animals, and how to investigate equine and livestock cruelty and neglect. He currently serves as Chief Equine Programs Director for The Wild Animal Sanctuary, overseeing the organization’s work to save and protect equines both wild and domestic. Beckstead is married to Jackie and has four children, two grandchildren, and an assortment of pets.  Wild Horse Refuge: https://www.wildhorserefuge.org/ Contact Scott: scott@wildanimalsanctuary.org    About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a student-empowering approach to teaching, and a positive and balanced point of view. She believes in getting to the heart of our mental, emotional, and physical partnership with our horses by bringing together the best of the worlds of dressage and partnership-based training.   Karen’s passion for teaching extends beyond horse training. Her For The Love Of The Horse: Transform Your Business program is a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry.    Resource Links: Wild Horse Refuge: https://www.wildhorserefuge.org/ Contact Scott Beckstead: scott@wildanimalsanctuary.org  Ask a question or leave a message for the pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AskKarenAnything How To Create A Happy Athlete course: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/hats Discount code: HATS100 to save $100 Private Consult: a...

    43 min
  8. EP244: Pressure & Freedom with Elsa Sinclair

    10/24/2025

    EP244: Pressure & Freedom with Elsa Sinclair

    In this episode I talk with Elsa Sinclair of Taming Wild. I invite her to discuss her opinion on pressure, escalating pressure, and freedom. She offered a unique and nuanced opinion about pressure and how it fits into her Freedom-Based training techniques.    About the Guest:  For ELSA SINCLAIR, horse training has been a lifelong pursuit, but her career took a turn when one day a student asked her if horses really enjoyed being ridden, and more importantly, if they knew they had a choice in the matter. Without an answer for her student, Sinclair set off on a quest to find one: If horses were given a choice, would they let us ride them—without force, control, or treats to lure them? With a Mustang mare straight off the range and a desire to connect using none of the usual horse training “tools,” just body language, Sinclair began to explore the possibilities. Her project led to a documentary called Taming Wild and ultimately to the method of horsemanship she now teaches: Freedom Based Training® (tamingwild.com).    About the Host: Karen Rohlf, author and creator of Dressage Naturally, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She teaches students of all disciplines and levels from around the world in her clinics and the Dressage Naturally virtual programs.  Karen is well known for training horses with a priority on partnership, a student-empowering approach to teaching, and a positive and balanced point of view. She believes in getting to the heart of our mental, emotional, and physical partnership with our horses by bringing together the best of the worlds of dressage and partnership-based training.   Karen’s passion for teaching extends beyond horse training. Her For The Love Of The Horse: Transform Your Business program is a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry.    Resource Links: Elsa Sinclair’s Taming Wild Website: https://www.tamingwild.com/ Ask a question or leave a message for the pod: https://www.speakpipe.com/AskKarenAnything How To Create A Happy Athlete course: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/hats[Text Wrapping Break]Discount code: HATS100 to save $100 Private Consult: https://karenrohlf.as.me/schedule/d1232333/appointment/1513707/calendar/any?appointmentTypeIds[]=1513707 The Dressage Naturally Book+Video: https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/collections/home-page-featured/products/book-dvdKaren Rohlf’s Dressage Naturally VIDEO CLASSROOM: https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/ Karen Rohlf’s Course: Sweet Spot of Healthy Biomechanics: https://go.dressagenaturally.net/sweet-spot-course Get 3 free training videos: a...

    57 min
4.9
out of 5
208 Ratings

About

Do you want to advance up the levels without sacrificing your horse's welfare and your relationship with him? Do you find it confusing trying to reconcile competitive training techniques with methods that prioritize partnership? Get ready for some fresh insights and a deeper understanding of how to progress with your horse. This podcast invites an evolution in your training and learning experience. Karen Rohlf will give you specific techniques and exercises, ‘outside the box’ concepts, and perspectives from top professionals. This show will explore how you can create stronger partnerships and healthy biomechanics, and will help you be your best self for your horse and for your life; free from the fear of making mistakes and dogmatic ‘right vs wrong’ thinking. As an author, internationally popular clinician, and creator of the Dressage Naturally program, Karen has been filling in the missing pieces and catalyzing breakthroughs for amateur and professional horsemen and women around the world. This show will have something for riders of every level and discipline. Learn more at https://dressagenaturally.net/

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