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/
https://www.dressagenaturally.net/podcast
episode 7: EP007: To Bit Or Not To Bit
The topic of bitless dressage is one of THE biggest hot-button subjects.
When I wrote a blog on this it broke my server because so many people were sharing and reading it.
Many people believe you can’t do ‘real’ dressage without a bit. Other people say bits are cruel.
My goal is to present experience-based thoughts on the pros and cons of each, and to answer the common arguments from both sides.
In order to figure out you can do ‘real dressage’ when bitless I’m also going to talk about what ‘real dressage really is.
I have been riding, training and teaching dressage with and without bits for decades and so am uniquely qualified to address this subject.
In the next episode I will give examples of specific horses of mine and how I make decisions regarding use of bits (or not).
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 Seminar and Mastermind/Mentorship programs are a result of her commitment to helping heart-centered equine professionals thrive so that horses may have a happier life in this industry.
For the blog on this subject with photos go here: https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/69-to-bit-or-not-to-bit
Start learning with Karen’s book/DVD: https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/collections/home-page-featured/products/book-dvd
To see Karen’s bitless bridle: https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/collections/home-page-featured/products/riding-halter-bitless-bridle
Sign up for 3 free videos and Karen’s mailing list: https://dressagenaturally.net/free-dressage-training-videos/
Get access to hundreds of Karen’s training videos: https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/
Join the conversation in our Dressage Naturally Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DressageNaturallyLand
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