--- title: Habits For Excellent Horsemanship Part 1 of 3 description: Learn the habits that you need to be a horseman. These habits are true no matter what discipline or program you use. Your horse will immediately feel the difference. In this 1st of 3 articles, Karen Rohlf describes 3 of the 9 Habits For Excellent Horsemanship (partnership, clarity, & relaxation). image: https://dressagenaturally.net/images/partners.jpg --- - [Free Video Lessons](https://dressagenaturally.net/free-dressage-training-videos/) - [Student Logins](https://dressagenaturally.net/student-logins/) - [![Facebook](https://dressagenaturally.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/facebook-icon.png)](https://www.facebook.com/DressageNaturally.KarenRohlf/) - [![Facebook Group](https://dressagenaturally.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/facebook-group-icon-ws.png)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/DressageNaturallyLand/) - [![Instagram](https://dressagenaturally.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/instagram-icon.png)](https://www.instagram.com/dressagenaturally/) - [![Youtube](https://dressagenaturally.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/youtube-icon-ws.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/kssage/videos) - [![Store](https://dressagenaturally.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/store-icon.png)](https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/) [![dressage-naturally-logo-revision-374x131](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hs-fs/hubfs/dressage-naturally-logo-revision-374x131.png?width=374&name=dressage-naturally-logo-revision-374x131.png)](https://dressagenaturally.net/)   - [Home](https://dressagenaturally.net/) - [About](https://dressagenaturally.net/dressage-naturally-methodology/) - [Meet Karen](https://dressagenaturally.net/meet-karen-rohlf/) - [Programs](https://dressagenaturally.net/online-programs/) - [Events](https://dressagenaturally.net/events/) - [Shop](http://shop.dressagenaturally.net/) - [Podcast](https://dressagenaturally.net/podcast/) - [Blog](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/) - [Contact Us](https://dressagenaturally.net/contact) ## [![](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/Karen-Rohlf-image.png)Blog](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/) Share this blog! - - [mailto:?subject=I%20want%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=Check%20out%20this%20site%20https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/127-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-1.](mailto:?subject=I%20want%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=Check%20out%20this%20site%20https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/127-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-1.) - - # Habits For Excellent Horsemanship Part 1 of 3 *Prefer to listen? Check out Karen's **[podcast episode on all 9 Habits For Excellent Horsemanship](https://dressagenaturally.net/podcast-library/9-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship/)**.* # Part 1: Partnership, Clarity, and the Reflex To Relax It takes years to develop the *skills and abilities* of an experienced master horseman. The good new is there are specific habits that you can implement starting *right* *now, *no matter what level you are. As soon as you use these habits you become a *practicing horseman*, not just someone practicing to someday become a horseman. These habits are true no matter what discipline or program you use. Your horse will immediately feel the difference. These habits are what I call The 9 Habits For Excellent Horsemanship. Let’s look at three of them. ## **![partners](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/partners.jpg)Partnership: *Lead with your heart and your horse will follow*** Hopefully we are into horses because we love them. Our responsibility to them is tremendous. If we challenge or compete with them only out of ego, or with only the thought of *using* them, then they are slaves and will only give because they have to. If we approach them with love and give them a voice, they become a partner in the dance and just might offer you more than you could ever ask for. ***In every moment with your horse, can you feel the love that made you start with horses in the first place?*** ## **Clarity: *Clarity comes from an intention that passes through a mind without judgment, a body without brace, and a heart that is open  [(Click To Tweet that](https://ctt.ac/Nd0eJ))*** Horses read intention and body language. Unfortunately we humans are often well-practiced in the art of disconnecting our feelings from our words and actions. This causes confusion in horses. They don’t know what to believe. This disconnect can happen when we worry too much about making mistakes, or when we don’t admit fears or when we aren’t aware of our physical imbalances. We create confusion when we pretend and especially when we tell ourselves we are ‘bad’ at something in the moment we are attempting it! ***In every moment with your horse, can you fully embody the one clear picture of what you need your horse to know?***   ## **Reflex To Relax: *Everything comes from and returns to relaxation*** [![Horsemanship course](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/reading-room/Horsemanship_course.jpg)](https://dressagenatural.samcart.com/products/habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-course-special-offer/) We need to exhale exactly the same amount that we inhale. If we don’t, we just fill  Even more important is the ability to remain calm when challenges arise. Horsemen are able to keep an open focus and a thinking mind even when a horse is explosive. A high startle reflex may help horses survive in the wild, but it gets horses into trouble in our world. Excellent horsemen know that we must constantly prove to our horses that we are trustworthy, and that being curious will keep them safer than being afraid.up with tension. If you are forced to hold your breath long enough you will panic. Like breathing, every challenge that we give our horse must be followed by an exhale; a relief from the tension. ***In every moment with your horse, are you trustworthy and calm?*** (You may also be interested in [Part 2](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/131-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-2) and [Part 3](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/139-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-3) of this series)  **To learn about Karen’s step-by-step course called: Habits For Excellent Horsemanship [CLICK HERE](https://dressagenatural.samcart.com/products/habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-course-special-offer/)** *Thoughts? Scroll down to leave a comment!* ![by Karen Rohlf](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/karen-signature.png) --- ## ![Karen Rohlf profile image](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Landing%20Pages/karen-circle-1.png?width=175&name=karen-circle-1.png) ## Need help with your horse? Click [HERE](https://dressagenatur.wpengine.com/free-dressage-training-videos/) to watch three of Karen’s training videos that give unique solutions for 3 of the most common challenges horses and riders face. *Karen Rohlf, author and creator of the Dressage Naturally program, is an internationally recognized clinician who is changing the equestrian educational paradigm. She is well known for doing dressage with a priority of partnership, her student-empowering approach to teaching, her virtual courses, and her positive and balanced point of view.* Share this blog! - - [mailto:?subject=I%20want%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=Check%20out%20this%20site%20https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/127-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-1.](mailto:?subject=I%20want%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=Check%20out%20this%20site%20https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/127-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-1.) - - Search   ## Karen's Recommended [![Karen Rohlf Dressage Naturally Horsemanship Course](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Karen%20Rohlf%20Dressage%20Naturally%20Horsemanship%20Course.png?width=557&name=Karen%20Rohlf%20Dressage%20Naturally%20Horsemanship%20Course.png)](https://inbound.dressagenaturally.net/heh) TRANSFORM YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR HORSE [![LEARN MORE](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4216373/a7a6fc83-d3c8-4b5c-9220-649b0730a5d6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4216373/a7a6fc83-d3c8-4b5c-9220-649b0730a5d6)   ### Similar Articles - [What To Do When You See Abuse.](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/what-to-do-when-you-see-abuse) - [A Few Ways To Look At Horse Welfare Issues](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/a-few-ways-to-look-at-horse-welfare-issues) - [When Is The Right Time To Focus On How Your Horse Moves?](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/when-is-the-right-time-to-focus-on-how-your-horse-moves) - [Dissolving Brace](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/dissolving-brace) ### Learn About... - [Healthy, Happy Dressage (47)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/tag/healthy-happy-dressage) - [Life, Empowerment & Horses (35)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/tag/life-empowerment-horses) - [Foundation Of Partnership (33)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/tag/foundation-of-partnership) - [Connection With The Reins (9)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/tag/connection-with-the-reins) - [The Horse Business (3)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/tag/the-horse-business) ![footer-logo](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hs-fs/hubfs/footer-logo.jpg?width=213&name=footer-logo.jpg) - [Karen's Approach](https://dressagenaturally.net/dressage-naturally-methodology/) - [Meet Karen](https://dressagenaturally.net/meet-karen-rohlf/) - [Student Stories](https://dressagenaturally.net/success-stories/) - [Speaking](https://dressagenaturally.net/karen-rohlf-speaking/) - [Events](https://dressagenaturally.net/events/) - [Media Kit](https://dressagenaturally.net/media-kit/) - [Contact](https://dressagenaturally.net/contact/) ### Online Programs - [Video Classroom](https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/) - [Excellent Horsemanship](https://inbound.dressagenaturally.net/heh) - [Successful Gymnastics](https://inbound.dressagenaturally.net/uss) - [Healthy Biomechanics](https://inbound.dressagenaturally.net/sweet-spot) - [Prepare, Perform, Progress](https://inbound.dressagenaturally.net/prepare-perform-progress) - [Aware, Balanced, Calm](https://inbound.dressagenaturally.net/abc) - [TRAINERS & PROFESSIONALS](https://dressagenaturally.net/professionals/) ### Resources & Information - [Shop](https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/) - [Book & DVD's](https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/collections/home-page-featured/products/book-dvd) - [Blog](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/) - [Video Classroom](https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/) - [Wednesday Wisdom Emails](https://dressagenaturally.net/wednesday-wisdom-emails-from-karen-rohlf/) - [Free Starter Lessons](https://dressagenaturally.net/free-dressage-training-videos/) ### Student Logins - [Video Classroom Login](https://dnc.dressagenaturally.net/classroom/login-logout) - [Virtual Arena Login](https://www.dnvirtualarena.com/) - [![Facebook](https://dressagenaturally.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/facebook-icon.png)](https://www.facebook.com/DressageNaturally.KarenRohlf/) - [![Facebook Group](https://dressagenaturally.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/facebook-group-icon-ws.png)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/DressageNaturallyLand/) - [![Instagram](https://dressagenaturally.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/instagram-icon.png)](https://www.instagram.com/dressagenaturally/) - [![Youtube](https://dressagenaturally.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/youtube-icon-ws.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/kssage/videos) - [![Store](https://dressagenaturally.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/store-icon.png)](https://shop.dressagenaturally.net/)