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Talking About Horses with Karen Rohlf (Episode #45)

karen rohlf talking about horses Feb 16, 2025

 Summary

In this episode of Talking About Horses, Patrick King speaks with Karen Rohlf, a professional horse trainer who emphasizes the importance of partnership and authentic communication with horses. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their work, Karen's transition from traditional dressage to natural horsemanship, and her development of the Dressage Naturally system. The conversation also explores the concept of professionalism in horse care, the Happy Athlete formula, and the balance between leading and following in training. In this conversation, Patrick King and his guest delve into the multifaceted concept of self-carriage in horses, emphasizing its mental, emotional, and physical aspects. They discuss the importance of ridership skills, the balance between precision and play in dressage, and the significance of trusting one's instincts while riding. The dialogue also touches on the role of forgiveness in horsemanship, the practicalities of using bitless versus bitted bridles, and actionable insights for riders to enhance their connection with their horses.

Listen to this episode in podcast form here.

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