--- title: Habits For Excellent Horsemanship Part 3 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 3rd of 3 articles Karen Rohlf describes 3 of the 9 Habits For Excellent Horsemanship (feel, consistency, & sense of humor). image: https://dressagenaturally.net/images/gallery/karengalleryfolder/Habits_For_Excellent_Horsemanship_Course.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/139-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-3.](mailto:?subject=I%20want%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=Check%20out%20this%20site%20https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/139-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-3.) - - # Habits For Excellent Horsemanship Part 3 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 3: Feel, Consistency/Variety, and Sense Of Humor 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. (You may also be interested in [Part 1](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/127-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-1) and [Part 2](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/131-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-2) of this series)   > [Check out Karen Rohlf's popular online horsemanship course. It's self-paced and includes live ongoing support](https://dressagenatural.samcart.com/products/habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-course-special-offer/?_gl=1*jn8s2l*_gcl_au*NTM4OTQ2NDkuMTcxNDQxNjkwNg..) > > [**![Habits For Excellent Horsemanship Course](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/gallery/karengalleryfolder/Habits_For_Excellent_Horsemanship_Course.jpg)**](https://dressagenatural.samcart.com/products/habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-course-special-offer/)   ## **Feel: *Feel for your horse. He will tell you everything you need to know. *** There are so many choices we can make when we are with our horses. Our ability to feel what our horse needs helps us make the best choice. Having *feel* means you are able to interpret the sensations your horse gives you, and are aware of the sensations you are giving to your horse. *Openness to change* goes along with having a feel. Having *feel* is useless f you are unwilling to change your mind based on what you feel. In order to feel you must be balanced, centered, calm and open. Over-thinking blocks feeling. ***In every moment with your horse, can you trust what you feel and be willing to adjust?*** ## **Consistency & Variety: *Be consistent without being boring. Offer variety without being random.*** Consistency used well creates confidence. Consistency over-used can lead to assumption and boredom. Variety used well creates mental and physical engagement. Variety over-used can lead to confusion and anxiety. Excellent horsemen are aware of their patterns and know when to slow down and be more methodical, and when to change it up and be more provocative. ***In every moment with your horse, can you be aware of how you are using consistency and variety in a way that benefits your horse?*** ## **Sense of Humor: *Horsemanship & Life are lessons in lightness. You can get serious results without having to be so serious.*** If it stops being fun for you, it probably already stopped being fun for your horse a long time ago. To have a sense of humor means that you don’t take what your horse does personally. You are able to see every situation for what it is, and not worse than what it is. Having a sense of humor doesn’t mean you over-look important things; it means you are forgiving and non-judgmental of yourself and your horse. When I lose my sense of humor it is often because I am being way too hard on myself or my horse. Be unafraid to experiment and forgive ‘mistakes’. Curiosity is the antidote to frustration. ***In every moment with your horse can you stay light-hearted, curious, and playful?*** *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.* *I wonder if there are more articles about:  * [Foundation Of Partnership](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/tag/foundation-of-partnership) Share this blog! - - [mailto:?subject=I%20want%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=Check%20out%20this%20site%20https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/139-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-3.](mailto:?subject=I%20want%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=Check%20out%20this%20site%20https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/139-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-3.) - - 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/)