Hot Shot and Karen demonstrate a session focused on Collectibility. He is typically a low energy horse and so Karen talks about her strategies to keep him applying effort. He will not appear to be a low energy horse in this video, but that is because these strategies do work! You can search for o...

Witness one complete ride without edits. Karen will set a timer for 24 minutes. You will see just how much she can get done while still giving the horse plenty of breaks. The theme is 'efficient and effective'. It is a great video to really see an entire session and observe the decisions she make...

Observe a session on collectibility that Karen does with Solana in long lines. Solana is ready to learn a higher degree of collectibility. Her natural ability to collect at the trot is not as good as at the canter, so Karen likes to play with her from the ground to make it easier for her. This al...

In this video, Karen rides Hot Shot through a pattern that will cause him to put more effort into his canter departs and flying changes. Hot Shot is a low energy horse by nature.

This pattern is great for horses who already understand the basic communication about Energy and Relaxation but may n...

Karen and Natilla demonstrate a very simple exercise that is highly effective. This is one of Karen’s "can't live without it" exercises. It helps horses develop the skills and confidence needed to build collectibility in corners. Corners can make everything better, but often horses fall apart in ...

Karen rides Hot Shot to demonstrate an exercise that will help you and your horse stay active and engaged when shortening from canter lengthening. Too often horses will break out of the canter when asked to shorten. In this video, Karen not only shows the exercise but also the specific warm up sh...

Even if you have no plans to compete, learning these basic patterns from lower level dressage tests can help increase your riding and gymnastic skills. This video shows the Shallow Loop, a simple flexibility exercise that requires excellent spatial awareness from the rider. Karen also will demons...

If for some reason you are restricted to a small space or limited movement, you can still keep your horse's body strong and supple and their mind engaged. Karen shows you 6 exercises you can do in the space no bigger than a stall! Karen always says, "Whenever you think you are limited by somethin...

The walk is the most delicate gait; it is the easiest one to create problems in the rhythm when engaging or collecting it. Karen gives you 3 important questions to ask yourself when riding your walk. These questions will help make sure that you keep the dynamic flowing, and will help you problem-...

If you are playing with lateral work, you are going to love this video! Karen found a way to rig a camera so you could see the lateral positions from the view of the rider! She goes through Shoulder-In, Haunches-In, Counter Shoulder-In and Renvers. You will see what it looks like when done correc...

In this video, you will see the same view as Karen as she does Half Passes. This is a sequel to the July 2018 video: Rider's Eye View Of Lateral Positions. Karen will narrate as she demonstrates how to position the half pass in the arena, and will show the most common mistakes people make. If you...

Karen demonstrates and describes what she is doing in her body during a collected walk. Collected walk can often be challenging because tension can easily disrupt the horse’s natural rhythm. You will learn a subtle but important nuance to how you sit. She will demonstrate on two different horses.

You will meet Grand Prix jumper Abbey Slaven and her horse, Vougeot. Behavioral issues cause Abbey to start playing with Dressage Naturally Horsemanship techniques, studying with Virtual Arena coach Shawna Lewis, and doing the Habits For Excellent Horsemanship course. They made amazing progress! ...

This video shows a typical ride with Solana. She is going very well, but can still get behind the leg and sticky at times. This stickiness is somewhat due to normal types of thoroughness, but it is also very much due to her particular character (and genetics!). You will be able to see how I quick...

This video is the second half of the Precision & Play presentation. Karen rides Ovation and narrates what her thought process is as she does a typical ride from warm up through more collected exercises. She reminds us of some of the concepts she spoke about during the talking part of the Precisio...

This is a continuation of the video, Beginning To Engage On The Ground Part 1. We recommend starting with Part 1 when you play with your horse. Karen shows you the very first moments of introducing the 'movement soon to be known as Spanish Walk'. Karen will point out her priorities at this stage ...

Karen coaches a student through a serpentine exercise at the trot for the purpose of gaining more throughness and suppleness. Suppleness is indicated by the ability to smoothly go from one bend to another. This one of Karen’s favorite exercises for ALL horses and riders. You will see a rider lear...

Karen coaches a student through shoulder-in and haunches-in on a square at the walk. This highly specific and powerful exercise is excellent for building coordination, flexibility, engagement, and straightness. You will get a very good look at these lateral positions from different angles and wil...

A work in progress: Karen shares a lesson on Solana she had with Jos Sevriens. Solana is schooling Basic Collection. You will see many examples of moments that are going well, and moments where we are at the edge of Solana's comfort zone and how we quietly, calmly persist long enough for her to f...

Karen coaches a student through a basic counter canter pattern. She begins by making sure the student and her horse can perform a counter bend at the walk and trot. Counter canter is a great exercise to test and develop better balance, but only if you ride it well! One of the most common mistakes...

Karen demonstrates a favorite gymnastic exercise for horses who are just beginning collection as well as advanced horses. It is a powerful exercise that challenges and develops your horse's balance, engagement, and range of movement. It will help build power into your collected gaits and balance ...

This video explains the 3 primary categories gymnastic exercises, and the 6 Essential Gymnastic Abilities that are necessary to do quality gymnastics. The three categories of exercises will help you strategize about what to do with your horse to maximize his suppleness, straightness, and carrying...

Karen rides her horse, Hot Shot, to demonstrate stretching at the canter. She explains when it is a good or not good idea to do it, how to play with it in small degrees, and how to use it as a tool for getting more power and volume in the canter. This video is great for anyone playing with improv...

Karen rides her horse, Natilla with a focus of using corners to create balance and engagement. Natilla has a tendency to lose balance in the corners so Karen uses consistency to build a pattern where Natilla anticipates that she will be stopping and standing in the corner. Once she 'helps' Karen ...