--- title: Karen Rohlf's Blog | Connection With The Reins description: Connection With The Reins | --- - [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)     ![karen-rohlfs-blog](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hs-fs/hubfs/karen-rohlfs-blog.png?width=475&name=karen-rohlfs-blog.png) # Seriously light-hearted musings about horses & life. [![KR Blog-1](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/KR%20Blog-1.jpg "KR Blog-1")](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/) - [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) Search ## [Habits For Excellent Horsemanship Part 1 of 3](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/127-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-1) [![partners](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/partners.jpg "partners")](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/127-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-1) 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.  [>> Read More](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/127-habits-for-excellent-horsemanship-part-1) ## [A Holistic View For Keeping Your Horse's Back Healthy](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/145-holistic-view-for-keeping-your-horses-back-healthy) [![Healthy_Unhealthy_Biomechanics_web](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/Healthy_Unhealthy_Biomechanics_web.jpg "Healthy_Unhealthy_Biomechanics_web")](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/145-holistic-view-for-keeping-your-horses-back-healthy) The health of your horse’s back is vital to his performance. Achieving healthy back movement requires a holistic solution that takes into account every aspect of your horse’s experience. [>> Read More](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/145-holistic-view-for-keeping-your-horses-back-healthy) ## Most Recent [![be a superhero for your horse](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/superhero%20and%20horse%20cartoon.jpeg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/what-to-do-when-you-see-abuse) ## [What To Do When You See Abuse.](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/what-to-do-when-you-see-abuse) [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/what-to-do-when-you-see-abuse) [![](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/Scale%20of%20Safe%20and%20Unsafe.jpeg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/a-few-ways-to-look-at-horse-welfare-issues) ## [A Few Ways To Look At Horse Welfare Issues](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/a-few-ways-to-look-at-horse-welfare-issues) [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/a-few-ways-to-look-at-horse-welfare-issues) [![](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/om%20baboon.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/an-aliens-study-of-human-superiority-complex) ## [An Alien's Study Of Human Superiority Complex](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/an-aliens-study-of-human-superiority-complex) [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/an-aliens-study-of-human-superiority-complex) ## Most Popular [![](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/Mouthful%20of%20foam.jpeg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/foamy-mouth-good-or-bad) ## [Foamy Mouth - Good or Bad?](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/foamy-mouth-good-or-bad) [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/foamy-mouth-good-or-bad) [![natilla 4](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/natilla_4.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/111-mother-may-i) ## [Mother, May I?](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/111-mother-may-i) [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/111-mother-may-i) [![jedicanterbridlelessmystery](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/e2014/jedicanterbridlelessmystery.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/69-to-bit-or-not-to-bit) ## [To Bit Or Not To Bit](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/69-to-bit-or-not-to-bit) [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/69-to-bit-or-not-to-bit) [![Huey Sitting](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/Huey%20Sitting.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/thoughts-for-training-low-energy-horses) ## [How To Train Low Energy Horses](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/thoughts-for-training-low-energy-horses) [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/thoughts-for-training-low-energy-horses) [![glenn stewart karen rohlf](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/glenn-stewart-karen-rohlf.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/47-lessons-relearned-the-pitfall-of-wanting-to-be-nice) ## [Lessons Re-Learned: The Pitfall of Wanting to be ...](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/47-lessons-relearned-the-pitfall-of-wanting-to-be-nice) [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/47-lessons-relearned-the-pitfall-of-wanting-to-be-nice) [![hot shot no noseband](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/hot%20shot%20no%20noseband.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/about-nosebands) ## [About Nosebands...](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/about-nosebands) [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/about-nosebands) [![](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/Precision%20%26%20Play%20cropped.jpeg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/dissolving-brace) ## [Dissolving Brace](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/dissolving-brace) "Horses are not merely lumps of clay where strongly squeezing and pressing on them will make them soft" Many people ... [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/dissolving-brace) [![](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/Mouthful%20of%20foam.jpeg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/foamy-mouth-good-or-bad) ## [Foamy Mouth - Good or Bad?](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/foamy-mouth-good-or-bad) I often get asked about what it means when a horse has foam in their mouth and whether it is good or bad. My answer is: ... [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/foamy-mouth-good-or-bad) [![hot shot no noseband](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/hot%20shot%20no%20noseband.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/about-nosebands) ## [About Nosebands...](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/about-nosebands) There's a lot of discussion in dressage circles about how tight or loose a noseband should be in order to create the ... [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/about-nosebands) [![Stop Getting horse on the bit Dressage Naturally SM](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/hubfs/Stop%20Getting%20horse%20on%20the%20bit%20Dressage%20Naturally%20SM.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/stop-putting-your-horse-on-the-bleeping-bit) ## [Stop Trying To Get Your Horse On The (Bleeping) ...](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/stop-putting-your-horse-on-the-bleeping-bit) Prefer to listen? Check out Karen's Podcast on this subject. The phrase "get your horse on the bit" has caused much ... [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/stop-putting-your-horse-on-the-bleeping-bit) [![Wendy Barchowsky in Dressage Naturally Bitless Bridle](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/Wendy_Barchowsky_in_Dressage_Naturally_Bitless_Bridle.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/105-blue-ribbons-and-bitless) ## [Blue Ribbons and Bitless!](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/105-blue-ribbons-and-bitless) Dressage Naturally recently sponsored a couple of awards at DunMovin Farms Adult Amateur Dressage Schooling Show in ... [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/105-blue-ribbons-and-bitless) [![jedicanterbridlelessmystery](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/e2014/jedicanterbridlelessmystery.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/69-to-bit-or-not-to-bit) ## [To Bit Or Not To Bit](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/69-to-bit-or-not-to-bit) Is Bitless A Viable Option For 'Real' Dressage? NOTE: This is a long read, but totally worth it. If you want to listen ... [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/69-to-bit-or-not-to-bit) [![Natilla stretch bridle less](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/Natilla_stretch_bridle_less.png)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/27-freestyle-riding-and-healthy-biomechanics) ## [Freestyle Riding and Healthy Biomechanics](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/27-freestyle-riding-and-healthy-biomechanics) I often get asked about whether it is harmful to a horse's posture to do freestyle riding (riding without the reins). ... [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/27-freestyle-riding-and-healthy-biomechanics) [![Hot Shot bitless](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/Hot_Shot_bitless.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/26-connection-with-the-reins) ## [Connection with the Reins](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/26-connection-with-the-reins) I get many questions about how to get your horse on the bit, how to get the horse 'rounder' or softer in the contact. ... [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/26-connection-with-the-reins) [![O trotting with touch](https://dressagenaturally.net/images/O_trotting_with_touch.jpg)](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/28-freestyle-inside-the-finesse) ## [Freestyle Inside the Finesse: The Paradox of ...](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/28-freestyle-inside-the-finesse) "You have freedom when you are easy in your harness" ~Robert Frost What an interesting way to define freedom. If asked ... [Read More >](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/28-freestyle-inside-the-finesse) ## All Blogs ## [Dissolving Brace](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/dissolving-brace) ## [Foamy Mouth - Good or Bad?](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/foamy-mouth-good-or-bad) ## [About Nosebands...](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/about-nosebands) ## [Stop Trying To Get Your Horse On The (Bleeping) Bit](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/stop-putting-your-horse-on-the-bleeping-bit) ## [Blue Ribbons and Bitless!](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/105-blue-ribbons-and-bitless) ## [To Bit Or Not To Bit](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/69-to-bit-or-not-to-bit) ## [Freestyle Riding and Healthy Biomechanics](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/27-freestyle-riding-and-healthy-biomechanics) ## [Connection with the Reins](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/26-connection-with-the-reins) ## [Freestyle Inside the Finesse: The Paradox of Riding in Connection with the Reins](https://blog.dressagenaturally.net/28-freestyle-inside-the-finesse) See more ![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/)