Overview of Dressage Naturally Concepts
You may want to start with these important concepts and perspectives from Karen
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Mental vs Emotional vs Physical Strategies - May 2021
Karen talks to a group of students about the difference in doing exercises to improve a horse mentally versus emotionally versus physically. Each one of these requires a different approach.
This video is for EVERYone!
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Clear Confident Communication - July 2019
In this powerful video Karen explores the Big Picture of communication with your horse, from the first goal of creating 'comfortable transportation' and how to take it forward into more complex, refined communication. The emphasis is on clarity and being able to be quiet and neutral. First she wi...
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Basic Alignment Exercise at the Trot Laurel - Sept 2019
Karen coaches a rider through the Basic Alignment Exercise for the first time. Basic Alignment Exercise is one of the most powerful and fundamental exercises in Dressage Naturally. Once learned, this principle can be used to bring better balance and freedom of movement during basic and advanced m...
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Starting Basic Alignment Exercise with Rhonda - Sept 2019
Karen coaches a rider through the beginning of Basic Alignment Exercise. Basic Alignment Exercise is one of the most powerful and fundamental exercises in Dressage Naturally. Once learned, the principle can be used to bring better balance and freedom of movement during basic and advanced movement...
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Know the Purpose of the Exercise Discussion with Karen - Nov 2019
Karen reminds you of the importance of knowing the purpose of the exercises you are doing.
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Basic Alignment Exercise Explained - Mar 2018
This video explains, in a nutshell, one of the most important concepts in the Dressage Naturally program: The Basic Alignment Exercise. Karen uses a clear visual example to explain it. This exercise is key to breaking free of trying to ‘hold your horse straight’ or ‘hold the bend on’ with stronge...
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Basic Foundational Concepts On Line Part 1 & 2
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Karen describes some Foundational DN Concepts during a live demonstration
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Sweet Spot of Healthy Biomechanics The Simulation - Oct 2023
In this video Karen leads a group of students (and you) through a powerful simulation that allows you to experience finding the Sweet Spot of Healthy Biomechanics. By playing with different levels of Relaxation, Energy, & Balance, just like we do with horses, you can feel the effect is has on you...
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Basic Foundational Concepts Riding Part 1 & 2
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Basic Foundational Concepts riding, from a presentation Karen did at a local event.
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3 Questions For Working Gaits - Dec 2017
Karen gives you 3 questions to ask yourself when looking for your best working gaits. It's so easy to ride around wondering: "Is this it?". With these 3 questions, you will have more ways to self-assess and be confident that you are in good working gaits. PLUS Karen gives you a bonus question to ...
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Dressage Naturally Partnership - Mar 2016
Karen explains the object of dressage, natural horsemanship, and Dressage Naturally. She also takes a look at the basics of what it means to her to develop a partnership with her horses. Your concept of partnership forms the context within which you do everything else with your horse. Learn the k...
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What is The Sweet Spot - Mar 2016
Karen explains the concept of the Sweet Spot, how it fits within our foundation, and how it not only helps improve the way our horses move, but our partnership with them, too. This is one of Karen’s signature concepts and is at the heart of Dressage Naturally. Hear how she developed the concept, ...
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Gymnastic Development - Mar 2016
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...
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Better Results Through Confidence and Clarity - Dec 2016
This is a video of a live demonstration Karen did as a co-presenter at an educational event. She helps this rider be more confident and clear with what she already knows so she can get better results in one session. This video is a great example of Karen’s powerful and empowering teaching methods...
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5 Qualities of Successful A Student - Jan 2014
Karen discusses some of the more subtle, yet powerful qualities, and habits that successful students have. This is not an exhaustive list, but key points that often students who are struggling have missed. As Karen says in the video: "With these qualities, everything will be easier."
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5 Qualities of a Successful Trainer - Jan 2014
Karen discusses some of the more subtle, yet powerful qualities and habits that successful trainers have.
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5 Qualities of Happy, Healthy Horse-Keeping - Jan 2014
Karen discusses some of the key elements for keeping healthy, happy horses. This is not an exhaustive list, but some of the elements that contribute to her success in creating health and happiness in her horses.
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Four Postures - Nov 2014
In this discussion, Karen describes 4 of the basic postures you and your horse can be in. The more you understand the difference, the clearer your intention and your horse's success will be. You will also learn how to combine 2 of the postures to create the Working Gaits!
This video is great for...
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Posture and Partnership On Line - Feb 2012
Karen helps us gain greater success with her posture exercises on line. Learn how to spend less time searching and more time enjoying. Karen reminds us how her exercises, and foundational exercise of Circle Game fit together. This video is good for anyone playing with the D,N exercises online
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Posture and Partnership Riding - March 2012
Karen demonstrates how the basics of foundation are carried forward as you begin DN posture exercises. She shows how 'Freestyle' can fit inside the 'finesse'. This video is excellent for any rider who is playing with the exercises of D,N and is wondering how it fits with their foundation
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The Less Than Sweet Spots - January 2011
Karen talks a bit about what it may look like when you don't have all the ingredients of the sweet spot. She uses humorous cartoons to help us recognize the exaggeration of what it is like when you are missing one of the conversations of Relaxation, Energy or Balance
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The Energy Sweet Spot - May 2011
Karen teaches a student to help her understand about finding the sweet spot of energy. Even without a lot of 'dressage' knowledge, you can improve your gaits using experimentation and observation.
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Happy Athletes - July 2011
Karen shares some of her thoughts on how to make sure you are a happy athlete. Being a happy athlete is one of the main objects of dressage, but to Karen it is less a final goal and more of a starting point! This discussion will be interesting for anyone who is interested in achieving the object ...