Strides for Success

Author: Lorna Leeson

  • What is Stopping You From Riding More? Part 2

    What is Stopping You From Riding More? Part 2

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    So many riders ‘say’ they want to ride more.  But making it happen is an entirely different matter altogether.  Identifying why you are not riding more is key to overcoming this.  And by ‘identifying’ I mean going deeper than those initial reasons or excuses that simply scratch the surface.
    This is Part 2 of exploring this topic for you and your riding. If you have not already, make sure you go back HERE and listen to Part 1, which is focused more on external factors.  In today’s episode, we will dive into more specific internal factors that may be causing you to complain that you’re just not riding anymore…

     1. Wrong Horse & Rider Combination

    This can be a tough one to admit to.  And then, once you have admitted it, taking action can feel mentally and emotionally uncomfortable for many riders. I think we often become conditioned to believe that if we create a partnership with a specific horse, that partnership must last forever.  We have all come across the term ‘forever horse’.
    However, if we think about relationships, partnerships, and friendships that we have with other people in our lives, we will see that only the rare few will truly last a lifetime. The majority will work for a period of time until either one of the people or the circumstance changes.  And we are, for the most part, okay with that happening.
    Often intentionally allowing a particular relationship to change and breakdown is a good thing as it creates space for someone new and more aligned with present-day you to enter the picture.
    If you have become aware of a lack of alignment between yourself and your horse, and it’s begun to prevent you from getting into the saddle and riding, maybe it’s time to reassess the partnership.
    This does not have to always mean ‘selling’ your horse. However, by acknowledging this and then actively looking for more suitable partners for both of you, things can begin to move forward for both of you again. Both in the training and simply riding as well.

     2. Lack of Confidence

    When new riders join the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community, I ask them a few simple questions – just so that I can get the lay of the land and where they are at in their riding. One of the questions is about naming the biggest challenge currently in their riding.  Hands down, ‘lack of confidence’ is the biggest issue.  And while I sometimes feel that this is more of a symptom pointing to the above point, about ‘wrong horse and rider combination’.  I also see that it can also have its roots elsewhere…
    In the previous episode, Why Are You Not Riding – Part 1, I touched on facilities often being a factor.  I mentioned the challenge of having arenas that are too large or too small.  And if your horse is at a boarding yard or barn, often the majority of riders who will be at the farm will suit the arena.
    When we are talking about the arenas being too large and open for you to feel confident and safe, the constant presence of riders who are further along in their riding journey can begin to erode your confidence.
    Acknowledging that you are struggling with confidence is a key step.  From there, begin looking at how you can better support yourself and your horse to overcome this and move forward in your riding.

     3. Boredom or Repetative

    This is the reason I initially started Strides for Success and, specifically, Daily Strides Premium.  I was seeing and hearing from riders who simply had no idea how to keep things interesting day in and day out with their horses. Having a coach or trainer in the arena working with you will 100% keep things interesting.  However, the vast majority of riders do not have access to this – and especially every single time they mount up!
       Which opens the door to a whole host of other challenges and problems down the road!
    This is where planning becomes so essential in your day-to-day riding.  When you have a goal that inspires you and you then take the time to step it out, ride by ride, it will help to keep you both motivated and inspired.  And you and your horse will learn things along the way as well. If this is something you’re struggling with, make sure you check out Daily Strides Premium.

     4. Lack of Progress – Hit a Plateau

    There is always this wonderful sense of achievement when you reach a point in your riding that you have been working towards for some time.  Maybe it’s clean canter transitions.  Or riding for 5km on the trail without anyone else accompanying you.  However, once you and your horse settle into this ‘new normal’, the novelty will soon begin to wear off… And, again, boredom can set in!
    Plateaus in your progress and training are great in the short term.  It allows you both to rest a little, regroup, and ‘calibrate’ the new training or achievement into the rest of your skills and communication.
    The problems start when you become a little too comfortable and stay there, on the plateau, for too long… And, for the most part, this is because you are not willing to change, let go of, or begin something different or new. 
    In order for you to begin ‘climbing’ again, you will have to choose something to work on and change. And accept that as you are working on this, the ‘climb’ will often be uncomfortable.  But you can rest again when you reach the new plateau…

     5. Nothing to Work Towards

    This leads me to the final reason I think riders are not riding when they say that they want to.  They have absolutely nothing to work towards! If you have found yourself thinking “I don’t know what to do”, or “It all feels the same, every ride”, of course you are not going to bother pushing on through and getting out there into the saddle.  Why would you?! There is nothing at all to motivate or inspire you.
    I think riders can often fall into the trap of thinking that goals or outcomes in riding must be competition-related.  And, maybe not having any desire to compete, they then feel a little flat when it comes to actually creating a goal for their riding…
    Goals can be so, so much more.  They can have to do with building and developing trust.  Riding with friends.  Going on holidays with your horse to participate in riding trails, attending a clinic, or taking part in a riding workshop. A goal can be groundwork-related or lunging-related.  It can also be long-line related.
    The sky is the limit when it comes to finding something that you and your horse can get excited about and then begin to work towards.
    If you need help making riding a reoccurring activity in your life again, make sure you check out Returning to Riding; a way that we can work together to get you back in the saddle and back on track to enjoy horse riding again.
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Get Going in Your Riding:-

    Daily Strides Premium is back! The first and original audio horse riding lessons you can use to improve your riding, train your horse, keep things interesting, have fun… Even if you don’t have a trainer or coach

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • What is Stopping You From Riding More? Part 1

    What is Stopping You From Riding More? Part 1

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    Now, if you answer this with ‘because we’re up to our eyeballs in snow’… Okay, fair enough! However, if you answer this with ‘I don’t know’ or an answer that you, yourself, can quickly tear apart…  This is for you!
    So many riders ‘say’ that they want to ride more.  But the difference between the saying and the doing can be a big one.  Which, when you think about how much enjoyment and connection we get from being with our horses, is a terrible pity.
    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, we’ll delve into five of the more common obstacles that can prevent more time in the saddle, and chat about how you can overcome them.  Whether it’s time management, inadequate facilities, or the pressure to please others, identifying the specific challenge you are facing is the first step toward a schedule that includes more riding time.

     1. Time Habits

    Notice that I did not say ‘a lack of time’. This was intentional.  You see, I think that most riders actually do have the time, but it’s how they are spending their time that causes there to be ‘lack’ when it comes to the ‘time for riding kitty’.  For me, I often find myself doing things that I actually no longer need to or want to spend time doing.  I do them out of habit.  And while, at some point, they definitely were necessary or needed to be done; now… Nope!
    Have an honest look at your time habits (I have a free workbook  HEREthat you can download to help you) and see where you can potentially reallocate more time to riding. 
    I also think that becoming really clear on your priorities will also help here. Are you devoting time to the things you say are your priorities? A quick review of the past week in your life, and your list of top priorities should clear this up for you and your horse.

     2. Lack of Facilities

    Not having the facilities to ride can also be caused by our habits.  Now, I realize that this might sound a little odd initially, but bear with me.  Just like our time, we can fall into these habits around specific areas and places. Maybe it’s a certain barn or stables.  Or a group of riders. Whatever the attraction initially was, the truth is that we become ‘comfortable’ there.  EVEN when that place, group, or facility is no longer serving us!

    In fact, just the thought of moving or going somewhere different can fee REALLY uncomfortable, and so we tend to ‘settle’. This is true when it comes to both riding facilites, but can also apply to resources.

    So, for example, if lack of time is really an issue, maybe you need to consider moving to a facility where your horse can be closer to the barn or stables. Or where there is someone there to actually bring your horse in and tack him up for you… And I get it that, as riders, we want to do it all ourselves.  But if this is stopping you from riding, it makes sense to begin exploring becoming a little uncomfortable, and making a change to support you now.

     3. Facilities that Don’t Support You

    You will outgrow things.  It is inevitable.  The trouble comes if you, intentionally or not, remain tied to a barn, yard, or farm that no longer supports you and your horse in your journey together. Usually, this is where the yard was great initially. It had the right-sized arenas, or suitable trails to help you and your horse on the specific part of the journey…  But now, you have both changed.  Maybe you need a bigger ring or arena.  More jumps or poles.  An actual stable.
    There are so many things that change over the course of time with your riding and your training; it makes sense that the facilities you need will also have to change and evolve to continue to support you both going forward.
    And this can also work the opposite way.  Having access to only huge open riding areas if you are feeling less than confident can also put a pause on your riding.  Make sure that the facilities you do have access to are truly supporting you and your horse where you are right now in your riding journey.

     4. Not Enough Prep Being Done

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; to make consistent progress in your riding, you MUST have a strategic plan that you are taking consistent action on in your riding and training.  Riding for the sake of riding just will not work in the long run.
    Yes, you may have clocked 4 rides this week, each 35 minutes long.  But what did you actually do to move your partnership, or your training forward?  If the answer is ‘I don’t know’, or ‘nothing’, then this is where you need to begin developing your skills as a trainer for your horse!
    Planning out your rides will require you to have something to actually work towards (more on that in the next episode, Why Aren’t You Riding More Part 2). And then being able to work backward, ride by ride, to fill in the missing gaps between there and here. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed by this, start with just having a basic intention…
    Remind yourself of that intention throughout your ride and bring your focus back when you notice that it has wandered. This is one of the most simple ways to begin measuring the quality of each ride, versus the quantity.

     5. People Pleasing

    This one might seem a little odd initially, however, it is a very real block for many riders. I hear from so many riders about the challenge of avoiding the ‘Chatty Cathys’ at the barn or the yard!  You know the person (or people) who seem to always corner you into a fairly mundane chat – and 30 minutes later you’re still stuck there!
    If you only have a set amount of time to do all of the things that you want to do with your horse, this is something you will have to become a little more strict on!
    My advice is to greet and be lovely to the people. Then simply say something along the lines of ‘I’m going to have to keep moving if I’m to get through everything I have planned for today. You’re more than welcome to walk and talk with me’… Most people won’t!  They will go find someone else to chat to.  But this way, you have given them the option, and you will also get your tasks for the day done as well.
    Another way people pleasing can become a block when it comes to riding is to do with the V.I.P.s in your life.  Especially if horses and ridign is not a huge priority for them! And balancing this can be tricky. 
    In my experience, the best way to navigate this is to have an open, honest, and friendly conversation.  Explain that, ideally, you would like to spend X amount of the days or hours at the stables each week.  Then also create days and hours during the week that you are committed to them.  The key word there is ‘committed’.  I
    If you show up and be present with them when you say you will, it usually results in them becoming more supportive of you and your riding.
    If you need help making riding a reoccurring activity in your life again, make sure you check out Returning to Riding; a way that we can work together to get you back in the saddle and back on track to enjoy horse riding again.
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Get Going in Your Riding:-

    Daily Strides Premium is back! The first and original audio horse riding lessons you can use to improve your riding, train your horse, keep things interesting, have fun… Even if you don’t have a trainer or coach

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Becoming Curious to Reigniting Passion and Progress in Your Riding

    Becoming Curious to Reigniting Passion and Progress in Your Riding

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    What happens when the initial novelty of riding your horse begins to wear off? Like it or not, this will happen at some point.  And when it does, one of the best ways to find a ‘spark’ again, is to become curious.  For many riders, the initially satisfying ‘comfort zone’ ends up becoming the very thing that sets them off down a path of ‘same old, same old’ in their riding. What was once the highlight of each day or week, becomes a mundane task or chore that needs to be crossed off a list.
    I’ve spoken before about how I’ve noticed that for most riders when they are starting out, it is simply the thrill or high of being around horses and being in the saddle that keeps them coming back for more. And, very often, an enormous amount of responsibility for the ‘success’ of each ride will fall on the horse and their behaviour during the ride.  Which is fine… At the beginning.
    However, when riders fail to begin taking more of that responsiblity for themselves, especially as the initial novelty wears off… Cracks begin to show! And horseriding tumbles lower and lower down the priority list!
    This is why, the longer you have been calling yourself a ‘rider’, the more important it becomes to begin future pacing yourself and your goals with your horse.

    Knowing Just Enough

    Knowing just enough to get by is where most riders arrive in their riding.  And, unfortunately, it’s also there that they stay!  They know just enough to make things happen.  You know, to do the few things that they like to do when in the saddle.  Maybe it’s trotting, or working over small and simple tracks of jumps. And this can be a nice place to find yourself as a rider… You are doing something you enjoy.  You ‘know enough’ to get from A to B fairly safely and in one piece.  And it’s usually a little ‘thrilling’ or ‘exciting’ to do this with your horse.
    The problem with knowing just enough is that you can never refine or improve that particular aspect of your riding or horsemanship. 
    And, over time, the very thing that made you excited to mount up quickly becomes something that starts to feel mundane and repetitive.  And as your level of comfort doing this thing increases, those feelings of (shock and horror) boredom will begin colouring the whole experience. Knowing just enough is great when you are initially getting started with something.  In fact, if you rather wait until you ‘know more’, you probably won’t ever get around to getting started!
    And yet, when you wait too long in the ‘knowing just enough’ stage of your riding; chances are you won’t be an active rider for too much longer!

    Becoming Curious About ‘More’

    I really feel that this is the next step as a rider.  And usually, this comes from something we watch, listen to, or read about someone else doing with their horse.  So, let’s take the trotting example mentioned earlier.  When you ‘know just enough’, you’ve probably got a good handle on your up-downs.  And you’re able to predict and keep in rhythm with your horse’s movement for the most part, which is great and necessary.
    And then, one day, you watch another rider using ground poles to begin developing their horse’s rhythm a little more.  You become curious.  “Why are you repeating that exercise so much with your horse?” you genuinely ask them.  And this rider (we hope) will explain a little about establishing and maintaining a rhythm before, during, and after the poles. They might even throw in a comment about bends, turns, and corners.  And even about how they are ‘helping their horse to begin lightening in front’.
    Your curiosity is peaked!  Now trotting has become ‘more’ and you see this whole new potential for what was quickly becoming a fairly repetitive and boring ‘1,2,1,2’ for you and your horse.
    And what’s even better, as you begin to dive into this a little more yourself, you not only think that it’s possible.  You begin to believe that you can and will achieve this with your horse.  And so, riding becomes oh so interesting again for you both!

    Not All Sunshine and Roses

    Now, usually, riders will at this point haul out all of the exercises they have read about in books and magazines.  Or maybe you will try to replicate the exercises that you have watched other riders using on YouTube.  And why not; after all this all serves to inspire you into taking action.
    But it is REALLY important to understand that exercises alone will NOT give you the long-term results you are looking for in your riding. Simply riding a whole folder load of new exercises, without first strengthening the basics, is a recipe that leads straight to frustration and irritation!
    And this is exactly where so many riders simply stop trying.  They’ve fallen into the trap of thinking that simply ‘riding the exercises’ will somehow transform their skills in the saddle and their horse’s development.
    For you to succeed and improve you need to first of all understand the concept more deeply.  Couple this with realizing that there are certain things you will have to start, change, or stop doing. And then add time and consistency to the mix…
    And, for most riders, this is just too much.  After riding those once-inspiring exercises a few times – but failing to see any improvement, they feel deflated. And while some might conclude ‘I just can’t do that’, others might think ‘that doesn’t work, it’s nonsense’.
    I honestly believe that there are very few occasions either of those statements are true or helpful.  I think it rather comes down to resilience…

    Resilience and Pushing Through

    So what if, after becoming curious about ‘more’, you recognize and accept that ‘more’ will require quite a bit of discomfort to get there… The discomfort of not knowing all of the things.  And the discomfort of getting it less than perfect – over and over again. And then being willing to tweak the approach and try again – to maybe even more ‘fails’…
    Building this resilience in the saddle is absolutely crucial to eventually becoming a rider – instead of merely a passenger – for your horse.
    And realizing that the reason it’s ‘not working’ is usually down to either a lack of understanding (you or your horse), a lack of correct & clear communication (your responsiveness, aids & expectations), or a lack of physical and mental development (you or your horse) will literally transform how you begin to approach things in your riding.
    I love the feeling of ‘being curious’.  I think that it’s a pretty simple feeling to get to from almost anywhere else.  It has the power to shift your thought process, your emotions, moods, and feelings about things.  And it helps keep things interesting for both you and your horse.
    So, all of that being said, what can you begin to become curious about this week in your riding?
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Get Going in Your Riding:-

    Daily Strides Premium is back! The first and original audio horse riding lessons you can use to improve your riding, train your horse, keep things interesting, have fun… Even if you don’t have a trainer or coach

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • 5 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Riding Today

    5 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Riding Today

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    What if things could be more simple for you to upgrade your riding?  So, instead of practicing for hours and hours in the saddle, you could begin doing more simple things that would have an enormous ripple effect.  Quick and easy things, so that you are not left feeling overwhelmed…

    All of these easy-to-implement tips can be done while you are busy with your existing ‘riding routine’… All it will take is some intention and self-awareness from you

    And while, in the long run, good correct practice coupled with sufficient knowledge and physical ability is what will really see you make progress in your riding, these 5 simple to do ‘add ons’ will actually help you to get there faster. And begin shifting your mindset as well.  A very important requirement as a rider.

     1. Quick Massage into Your Grooming

    What would happen if you learned a few simple techniques that helped your horse to loosen up before each work session?  Probably, over time, an increase in the quality of the work begin done, that’s what!  And yes, it’s important to consider that you are not a qualified horse ‘body work’ expert.

    There are some great accounts on social media you can follow where experts will show you simple exercises you can do with your horse for specific benefits (or to address specific challenges)

    Does this replace having a professional visit your horse regularly?  No, of course not! But it will help you to become more knowledgeable about your horse’s body and how it works.  It can possibly have some loosening or therapeutic benefits to your horse. And it’s a great way to bond and develop your partnership more :)

    2, Visualise While Tacking Up

    After grooming, we will naturally progress to actually getting ready to work.  Whether you are preparing to lunge, ride, or do some groundwork, there will be some sort of equipment (or boots/bandages, etc.) that you will put on your horse.

    Use this time to get really clear on what you want the outcome of this training session to be for both of you…  Think, step by step, about what you are going to work on; and how the desired outcome will look and feel

    Having this clarity BEFORE you get into the arena or begin working will help to keep you focused and on track.  And it will help you to recognize when you are both moving in the right direction, or course correct when you’re not!

    3. Stretches Before Mounting Up

    And I am referring to you and moving your body with these stretches! Now, you can decide whether to do these all at once (3 or 4 minutes) before mounting up.  Or to work these in through both the grooming and tacking up. So maybe two or three stretches between each type of brush, or between each hoof…

    What is important is that you have identified where you may be a little ‘tight’ through. your body, and then find simple stretches you can perform to loosen these specific areas out for you 

    If you can already show up to the training session a little more supple and ‘loosey goosey’ it will allow you to focus more on helping your horse to do the same.  It also, when riding, allows you to begin to move more with your horse, rather than against. Long story short, it will improve the quality of your warm-up.

    4. Highlights Reel during the Cool Down

    So after you have actually worked your horse (quality over quantity – always), rather than just zoning out during the cool down, you can use this time to begin putting your thoughts together regarding how things actually went for you both.  If you used your ‘tacking up time’ to visualise or imagine what you wanted for the ride, it makes this even easier.

    Ask yourself some strategic questions; did we achieve our overall goal for this session? How ‘on track’ did we remain? What worked well? And what needs attention (or is missing something)?

    Doing this when it’s still fresh in your head, as in it only just happened, means it’s more honest and true.  Sometimes we can allow the whole ride to be defined by a couple of seconds and one single event.  However, regardless of if the ride was ‘a win’ or a ‘try again tomorrow’, when you take the time to really dig in, piece by piece, you will find so much more there that you can learn from.

    5. Writing it All Down in Your Riding Journal

    Finally, as soon as you have taken care of your horse, that will depend on your unique circumstances, sit down on a bale or a blanket and quickly capture the ride in your riding journal. If you truly want to upgrade your riding, this is essential for you to do on a regular basis.

    A riding journal creates a personal feedback loop for you in your riding – especially important if you are working alone a lot of the time. Over time you will begin to see patterns – these are gold!

    However, in my experience, it is the one thing that most riders are NOT willing to do in their riding! So, if you’re not doing this… WHY?! It literally takes 4 to 5 minutes.  And it is a gold mine when it comes to identifying what’s working, what needs changing, what needs to be done, what needs to stop, and everything in between for you and your horse.

    Upgrade Your Riding Today

    Okay, I personally think that all of these items are ‘doable’ for you and your horse, starting today. They are simple, easy to achieve, and require little to no extra effort on your part.  They also require little to no extra time, if time is an issue for you and your horse.

    I would love to hear how you get on with this, make sure you join the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community over HERE and let me know which one you’re going to do.  Or, if you’re going all in on all 5 of them for you and your horse!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Get Going in Your Riding:-

    Daily Strides Premium is back! The first and original audio horse riding lessons you can use to improve your riding, train your horse, keep things interesting, have fun… Even if you don’t have a trainer or coach

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Planning a Winning Year in Your Riding

    Planning a Winning Year in Your Riding

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    I want to begin by reminding you that you can start this process at any time throughout the year.  The date is not important.  Planning out the upcoming year in your riding will help you to get really clear on what you and your horse are working towards together.

    I also suggest taking the time to complete a review of the previous 12 months if this applies to you.  This way, you can begin creating a plan that actually works for you and your horse. I have an episode on this for you to work with HERE

    What Are You Working Towards…

    So before you can begin planning, you need to have a clear idea about what you actually want to make happen when it comes to the upcoming year in your riding. Start by clearly defining your equestrian goals. Consider both short-term and long-term things you would like to make happen in the coming year.

    Asking yourself questions can help you to begin to develop some more clarity about this…

        • What specific riding skills do I want to improve or master?
        • Are there specific competitions or events I want to participate in?
        • Do I have any horse-related personal development goals, such as building confidence or developing a deeper connection with my horse?
        • Is there a new or different discipline we can try together?
        • How can I measure progress toward this goal?
        • Is my goal realistically achievable given my current circumstances?
        • Is this goal relevant to my overall long-term aspirations as an equestrian?

    Get a Yearly Planner…

    Okay, now for the fun part.  I love ‘seeing’ the year from afar.  You know, being able to clearly see the full year laid out before me – big picture style! I have a couple of A1 laminated yearly planners that I use each year for different things.  My suggestion is to get yourself one of these, and then get to work…

        • Start by including any significant dates or blocking out any periods where riding won’t be possible (I include school holidays, birthdays, short trips, business appointments, etc. here when I am doing my planning)
        • Then begin thinking about your goals, your available time, your resources, and facilities, and begin to play with ‘end dates’ for your goals and ‘timelines’…
        • Because some goals have specific dates (competitions or events), make sure you also include these in your initial ‘marking out’
        • From here, whip out the Post-it notes…  And on each one, put something that needs to change in order to get you from where you are right now in your riding, to where you want to go
        • Now, it’s simply a matter of adding the ‘stepping stones’ (your Post-it notes) to your planner – and again, spending time playing with this and putting it through the filter of ‘is this possible given all of my unique circumstances

    It can also be helpful, when doing this process, to ask yourself a few honest questions and allow the answers to these to help guide you as well.

        • What riding skills do I already possess?
        • How much time can I realistically dedicate to horse-related activities each week?
        • Do I have access to the necessary facilities, equipment, and support?

    Your Year in Your Riding

    Now, obviously, when we are working with horses, there is a lot of wiggle room for things to go off plan!  And this is especially true when we are taking a whole year in your riding into account!  So, while having the ‘big picture 40,000’ view over the year is great and helpful, I feel that you can only really get specific in the first three months. And, even then, a lot can happen in 13 weeks!

    However, I do feel that month three (and we are working backward here) can be ‘fairly’ fleshed out, month two even more so… And month 1 – the next 30 days in your riding – can be pretty detailed.

    Will it all go to plan?  No, probably not.  But having a plan and making riding and training a non-negotiable, will help you to make progress towards your goals. 

    I also think that this first month is a great time to begin to anticipate potential challenges and obstacles that may show up along the way. Ask yourself questions like:

        • What are the common challenges faced by equestrians working towards similar goals?
        • How can I proactively address or overcome these challenges?
        • Are there potential setbacks I should be prepared for, and how can I mitigate their impact?
        • What, in the past, has slowed me down or caused me to go ‘off track’
        • How can I help or support my horse throughout this training timeframe?

    Regular Reviews & Timely Adjustments

    Finally, I do believe that you MUST make reviews a regular occurrence in your riding… This will help you to both stay on track – and it will allow you to assess each ride or session afterward through the filter of ‘Will this move me closer to the big goal?’.

    Taking an hour or two to really focus on concentrating on what you want to achieve in your riding is fun.  And, in my opinion, if you include Post-its, a planner, and something nice to nibble on or sip – it’s even better!

    And this clarity will help to begin motivating. you to really working towards something special this year in your riding.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Ideas for Reviewing Your Year in the Saddle

    Ideas for Reviewing Your Year in the Saddle

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    Isn’t it strange how, sometimes, when we look back over something ‘big’ or ‘long’ – like a year – we only remember 1 or 2 key events or things? And yet, when you truly sit down and begin reviewing your year in the saddle, there is so much more there to be mined!

    Today, I want to give you a few simple ways you can look back over the past 12 months (or whatever time frame you choose), and see it for all that it was for you and your horse.

    Reviewing Your Year

    I have been guilty of ‘skipping’ the whole reviewing process. Thinking about and planning for the ‘new’ definitely feels more exciting. Setting goals and beginning to play with the feelings of actually achieving those goals is a potent and powerful practice.

    But, to truly make that work for you, I think it is just as important to go back over what has happened.  To use the past as a guide for creating more in your future. 

    Identifying patterns is one of the best ways to either create or remove something from your riding.  By going through the year, month by month, you can really see what works and what doesn’t when it comes to you and your horse.

    Use Your Photos as a Guide

    This is one of the best tools you have to help you revisit the year.  Set yourself up with something nice to drink, a quiet and relaxing space and get started.  By going through the photos on your phone, you will get to revisit the whole year, month by month.  When I do this I regularly find photos of different things that happened that I had completely forgotten about!

    And even if the photos are not horse-related, often the memory of something else can trigger a memory about your horse or your riding…

    I am going to suggest writing down all of the different things in chronological order in your riding journal.  This way you can really begin to notice patterns; good ones and the not so helpful ones! It also helps you to really understand your schedule, which will be important when it comes to creating realistic goals for the next year.

    Ask Yourself Questions

    Once you have the year laid out you can begin using this as a reference so that you can find out more about what the year held for you. I do think that it can be helpful to approach your riding and your horse’s training separately.

     1. Skill Development and Training:

    • What new skills or disciplines did you and your horse work on during the year?
    • How has your horse’s training progressed, and what areas still need improvement?
    • Did you achieve the training goals you set at the beginning of the year?
    • What adjustments can be made to your training plan to enhance both your and your horse’s abilities?

     2. Relationship and Communication:

    • How has the bond between you and your horse developed over the past year?
    • Did you effectively communicate with your horse, and were there any notable improvements in your partnership?
    • Were there any challenges in understanding and responding to your horse’s behavior?
    • What steps can you take to strengthen the connection with your horse in the upcoming year?

     3. Equipment, Time, and Facilities

    • Did you encounter any challenges with the logistics of horse care, such as boarding, transportation, or scheduling?
    • Were there any facility improvements or changes that positively or negatively affected your riding, training, or just being with your horse?
    • How well did your current setup meet the needs of both you and your horse?
    • What adjustments or changes in logistics can enhance the overall efficiency and enjoyment of your equestrian activities in the next year?

    Review Your Riding Journal

    If you are not already, let this week be the week you begin tracking your riding.  Trust me, when you begin to do this, you will have a powerful tool to use when you are completing your review.  You can keep track of your horse’s training progress, note achievements, and identify areas for improvement.

    When you begin to regularly record training sessions, noting exercises, challenges, and successes, you can use that knowledge going forward. By reflecting on the effectiveness of different training approaches, you can set your goals for the future – and increase your chances of making them happen!

    Using Your Review to Plan Ahead

    Once you have a clear idea of what the previous 12 months looked like in your riding, you are then ready to begin mapping out the coming 12…  And you can do it in a way that will work for you and your horse.

    Reviewing your year may seem time-consuming and not all that helpful, but I hope that you will take my advice and give it a go for you and your horse this week!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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    Start today:- https://stridesforsuccess.com/dsp

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