Strides for Success

Author: Lorna Leeson

  • Building Your Horses Fitness (coming back to work after a long break)

    Building Your Horses Fitness (coming back to work after a long break)

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    Whether your horse has been on a hiatus due to injury, winter hibernation, or life’s seasons, bringing them back into work can feel so exciting.  And yet, it can also feel a little overwhelming for many riders.  In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, we’ll explore how you can successfully build your horse’s fitness and bring them back to work after a long break.

     1. Slow & Steady Wins the Race

    Now, there is always a temptation to simply ‘dive in’ and start riding.  Full speed ahead!  But… As you know, this is not in your horse’s best interest, especially long term when we are talking about soundness, training, and longevity.

    Patience is one of your best friends here and while thinking about what you used to do with your horse when he was fit before can be inspiring, it is vital that you give him the time and the opportunity to get to that point again in his work and training.

    Start slow with lots of road work and walking initially.  This steady work will help to increase his stamina to prevent injuries.  An initial 6-week ‘build up’ period can be useful to create and follow.  

     2. Incorporate Groundwork into Your Plan

    Groundwork is a fantastic tool to build your horse’s fitness, especially if he’s coming back to work after a long break for a few reasons.  Firstly, it helps to strengthen the bond between both of you and establish the partnership again. This is important to build confidence in yourself and each other again.

    The second reason is that you can begin to ‘fine-tune’ your aids.  It’s a little like setting up the expectation for your horse, to help him better understand what is expected and allowed when working together.  After a longer break, your horse might not be as responsive as he once was to your aids.  Groundwork can be a great way of helping to reestablish the ‘rules’ for both of you.

    And then of course, there is the third reason groundwork is great when coming back into work; it helps to increase suppleness, flexibility, balance, and overall strength.  As with everything else, slow and steady initially.  

     3. The First 3 Weeks

    Start with short and focused sessions of 20 minutes with your horse. This is great news for riders as you can be more consistent with your riding work if the sessions are short and sweet.   Many riders fail to realize the time commitment involved with bringing a horse back to work. And this can lead to a more hit-and-miss approach to their training sessions!

    Begin your riding sessions with short, easy hacks on roads or lanes if possible.  Hard and flat surfaces are best for the initial rides, hence the idea of road work being helpful for the first 2 to 3 weeks. Spend most of the time in the walk at the beginning.  20 minutes and then building up to 30, and 45 minutes of active walking.  From there, you can begin to add some trotting into your work.  Short and steady work sprinkled in through the walking.

    Focus on building their confidence and trust in you as their rider. You can also begin introducing some gentle supplying work here as well to keep the rides interesting for both of you. 

    There is a full 6-week plan for doing this ready and waiting for you inside of Connection. The plan is complete with 5 simple suppling exercises that you can ride with your horse when on the roads. To get access, simply join today and search for June 2023 :)

    Building Your Horses Fitness - Connection; The Online Membership for Equestrians Working Alone without a Trainer or Coach

     4. The Second 3 Weeks

    It’s important to continuously tweak your plan to your horse’s particular needs.  Your horse will give you feedback; allow this to guide your actions.  If they seem uncomfortable or stressed, take a step back and reassess your approach.

    Be attuned to their needs and preferences. This applies both physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

    The second 3 weeks are when you can begin to add some variety to your training.  Incorporate some different methods into your training program such as hill work, pole exercises, and transitions to keep your horse engaged and prevent boredom.  This will also help him to begin developing true strength, as well as stamina.

     5. Be Responsible

    Every horse is different.  How long it takes your horse to safely come back to work will depend on you and your horse’s unique circumstances.

    Building your horse’s fitness requires you to pay attention and make adjustments as you go. 

    Remember to celebrate your horse’s progress, no matter how small. Each step toward full recovery and fitness is a milestone worth acknowledging. Positive reinforcement creates a happy and confident horse and a strong partnership going forward.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Related Topics & Resources:-

    Building Your Horses Fitness - Connection; The Online Membership for Equestrians Training Alone without a Trainer or Coach

    Join Our Online Community of Equestrians

  • What’s Missing When Training Your Horse?

    What’s Missing When Training Your Horse?

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    Training your horse alone can feel like a big responsibility.  And, let’s be honest, for the most part, it is! And if you’re anything like what I was like when I first began playing with this (with my saint of a pony), there’s a good chance there are a couple of things ‘missing’ from your ‘program’.
    You see, training a horse is a little like following a recipe.  Change one or two things around and you will get a completely different result!
    Today, I want to help you identify what might be missing in your training ‘program’ so that you know where to begin working. I’ve ‘crowd-sourced this a little by referring to some of the most common challenges I get asked about by riders from all over the world… Okay, let’s go!

    “My Horse Won’t Go Forward”

    Okay, forwardness is a very real thing.  And I believe that without it, nothing else can actually exist.  I know that sounds like a big statement – but it is true!
    Before you can work on the more ‘interesting’ or ‘complicated’ things, you first need to establish and maintain forwardness.  Both in how you and your horse think. And how you respond or take action.
    Think of it this way; Have you ever tried to ‘steer’ a car that wasn’t running? Or remain straight on a bicycle that wasn’t moving? Both are pretty difficult to do! This is why concepts such as suppleness and straightness also become pretty impossible to achieve on a horse who is not thinking and working forward.
    And one of the biggest misconceptions about forwardness is that the horse must be actually moving forward.  Nope; this is not true.  It’s just that the energy and the ‘sense of purpose’ to work forward must be present.  Two very different things.

    “My Horse is Too Tense (or Lazy)”

    Once you have established ‘forwardness’, the next key piece is to begin managing that energy.  And the first thing we must achieve here is true relaxation.  Contrary to popular belief, relaxation when it comes to training horses and relaxation when it comes to being a human are very different things!
    When we are training horses, relaxation is the concept of managing the correct levels of tension in both the riders and the horse’s bodies for the task at hand.
    Too much tension (excess tension) will result in a feeling of riding a ticking time bomb! Ready to explode at the slightest provocation!  Too little tension will result in your horse looking and feeling like a camel or a giraffe.  All long and ‘stringy’ with little to no focus.  In fact, a lack of tension when riding is the horse equivalent of slouching!
    And if you have ever been on a horse with incorrect tension levels at any point in the ride, you will know that everything else is pretty much impossible to maintain for any significant length of time.

    “My Horse Keeps Changing Speed”

    This one is perhaps the most overlooked of all the basics when training horses.  True and correct rhythm.  And I think this is due to a lack of understanding from riders.  Rhythm when it comes to being a training principle for horses is a BIG concept.
    Yes, there is the whole repeating sequence that creates a rhythm.  But what about the tempo? And what about improving or ‘defining’ that rhythm more? 
    The other issue I see a lot of when it comes to rhythm when training is riders believing that anything that is ‘repeating’ is the rhythm training complete.  This could not be further from the truth.  I’ve seen ‘running walks’ to 4-beat canters and everything in between!
    Rhythm, when it comes to your horse, requires the initial ‘sequence’ you are working with to be correct.  And then, from that place, you can begin to work on improving, defining, and establishing a more consistent rhythm. 
    The challenge is that once you have established a good quality rhythm, if either the relaxation or forwardness decreases or changes, it will impact the rhythm.  And when a rhythm is changed – well it’s no longer a rhythm in the truest meaning of the concept, is it?!

    “My Horse is Stiff”

    This one always makes me first wonder about the rider who is complaining about the stiffness.  You see, over the years I have seen a direct correlation between riders and horses; especially when it comes to suppleness.
    The second big challenge many riders have with suppleness is that they simply don’t understand what it is when it comes to training horses.  It is not just some stretches before you ride.  And nor is it bends and circles. 
    True suppleness first requires all of the other principles to be in place and working.  Forwardness, relaxation, and rhythm.  Once this is happening, the energy can truly begin to flow.  And it is how this energy flows that really best describes suppleness when it comes to your horse.
    Think of yoga and how there is a flow of consistent energy as you perform each movement. It’s not ‘sticky’ or ‘tight’.  It’s certainly not ‘fixed’ or ‘held’.  It just flows…
    When it comes to working on increasing suppleness for your horse, you must consider all of these things (and yourself).  And again, because it’s worth repeating, if any of the other principles that come before it ‘disappear’ or ‘change’, it will impact your horse’s ability to maintain his suppleness.

    Seeking Founding Riders…

    If you are considering training your horse at home or alone (boarding at a barn, but don’t have a regular coach or trainer), make sure you check out the details of my upcoming brand-new program.

    I’m looking for a limited number of riders to work in-depth with me and my team as we go through this program for the first time.  Get on the waitlist to be the first to find out all of the information… We start in early September. Get All the Details HERE (no obligation to join the program, just be the first to know all of the details :) )

    Happy Riding
    Lorna
  • How Many Days per Week Should I Work My Horse?

    How Many Days per Week Should I Work My Horse?

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    Is there a golden rule about how often a horse should be worked? I’m not so sure.  However, when I have riders ask me how many days they should ride, I usually have a pretty standard answer… “It depends”. And that is what I want to dive into today.
    Helping you to figure out how many days to ride your horse each week.

    “Your Schedule”

    So let’s begin this conversation where you are at right now.  How many days could you realistically ride your horse each week? You see, this is a really important question… Because, and this is me being really honest now, many riders will pick a number that actually doesn’t really reflect their current schedule!  Nope, they rather pick what they would like it to be.  I don’t think this is helpful.
    I think being realistic about your time, your values, your responsibilities, and your energy levels will help in the long run.
    If you begin feeling that horse riding is causing a lot of tension in an already packed schedule, you will be more inclined to ‘drop it’. Make sure that you are honest with what you can do, and then go from there.

    “Your Horse”

    The next piece of the puzzle to consider is your horse.  Some horses honestly require more repetition and consistency than others.  If you miss 6 days, what happens? Will you have to go back 2 weeks in your training to get back to where you were before the break?  Or can you simply carry on from where you left off?
    I also think factors such as your horse’s age, breed or physical type, condition, previous training, and personality all play a role when deciding.  Include them all in your decision and go from there.

    “Your Riding Level”

    Now, just like your horse, you are unique as a rider. Do you require 3 days to recover from a particularly ‘taxing’ ride? Or do you thrive on consistently repeating new things until they ‘stick’?  Also, how fit are you?  If you are trying to increase your riding fitness, it makes sense to ride more frequently if possible.  However, maybe shorter sessions with more focus will be a key part of your training schedule.
    Lack of fitness really impacts the coordination and clarity of your aids in the saddle. So it makes sense to increase your riding fitness as quickly as possible initially.

    “Your Goals”

    Finally, what are your goals with your horse and your riding?  If you are working towards something specific (a 15km trail ride, or jumping a 1m track of jumps) this will definitely help you to decide on what is necessary to be ready for that.  However, often riders are simply riding to develop their skills and deepen their bond with their horse.
    Whatever your goals are, it makes logical sense that ‘more riding time’ will help you get there more quickly. So it is always something to consider.

    4 is More Than 3

    My final suggestion here is the whole ‘4 is greater than 3’ idea.  If you can make it to your horse 4 days a week, you are winning.  This means 16 days a month (which is more than half). And I feel that this is a realistic number of rides to begin seeing progress.
    And if you find yourself with a week or two where you only make it for 3 or 2 days, that’s okay.  Accept it for what it is and then move on. 
    Try to get back into a more consistent routine as quickly as you can.  Things happen… What’s important is that you are doing your best to get quality time with your horse and in the saddle.
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Seeking Founding Riders…

    If you are considering training your horse at home or alone (boarding at a barn, but don’t have a regular coach or trainer), make sure you check out the details of my upcoming brand-new program.

    I’m looking for a limited number of riders to work in-depth with me and my team as we go through this program for the first time.  Get on the waitlist to be the first to find out all of the information… We start in early September. Get All the Details HERE (no obligation to join the program, just be the first to know all of the details :) )

    More Training On This:-

  • What Comes First When Training Your Horse?

    What Comes First When Training Your Horse?

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    I remember the excitement I felt when I began working with my pony ‘alone’ at home in the fields when I was younger.  The feeling that anything was possible if I was only willing to put in the consistent effort and work.
    And the feeling that there was just so much to do and so little time to do it!
    My mind was racing with thoughts of ground pole exercises, schooling movements, jumping grids, fitness training, etc., etc., etc.  All of the ‘exciting’ stuff I had seen other riders get up to in the pony magazines I got as a treat a couple of times a year.
    And after speaking with thousands of adult riders over the years, I think they also experience those same feelings.  Except as an adult, when training your horse alone, those feelings of initial excitement can often turn into overwhelm pretty quickly!
    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I want to chat about the very first concept I believe all horses and riders should work on in their training.  And I want to help you begin to think of this as the absolute foundation of everything else you do with your horse. Especially if you are training your horse alone.

    The concept? Forwardness…

    There are so many reasons why this is overlooked if you are a rider training your horse. Maybe the belief that it’s ‘boring’ or unimportant.  Or not correctly understanding what it is.  Sometimes riders don’t even know it is a ‘thing’ that needs work.
    Forwardness is a very real ‘thing’.  And it requires both you and your horse to understand and work this way.  Mentally and physically. 
    Without forwardness, none of the other principles or concepts (steps) of the training scale can exist.  And I realize this sounds like a bit of an exaggeration, but it is not.  Frowardness is absolutely essential to everything you do with your horse.

    What is Forwardness?

    One of the most useful ways of describing forwardness is to imagine the feeling when you have a sense of purpose.  There is a focus and quiet determination to it.  It’s not rushed, it’s certainly not wandering.  But rather it is moving towards something or some outcome with focus, clarity, and energy.
    This ‘sense of purpose’ can be applied to how you and your horse both think and take action.  Mental and physical forwardness.
    Having this combined ‘sense of purpose’ means that you are working together towards a single goal or outcome.  And this is absolutely key when training and working your horse.
    Some horses naturally tend to have this (a little like some people), while for others, it must be learned. And this is where, I believe, your training should begin with your horse.

    Training Your Horse to Work Forward

    I often feel that the physical aspects of this trait are a little easier to instill and build in both horses and riders.  There are many ways you can encourage your horse to move forward.  From your body language to your voice.  To use your position and other driving aids.
    However, if you have to keep ‘reminding’ your horse (via your aids) to ‘work forward’, he is not actually working forward!
    True physical forwardness is when your horse begins to accept responsiblity for his own level of purpose.  When your horse begins to ‘take you there’.  And just like anything in horse riding, you can do this by clear and timely correction when working together.

    Making Timely Corrections

    As you feel your horse beginning to ‘slow down’ or ‘meander’, you can encourage him to refocus and work forwards again.  It will take some consistency on your part, but the results are well worth it.  Similarly, if you feel your horse begin to rush or run, you can remind him to channel the energy into focused and rhythmic work.
    What’s key to remember and understand is that your horse will probably need you to correct, encourage, or remind him often initially – but will slowly begin to take over the responsibility for himself soon.

    Thinking Forward

    Isn’t it strange how some things, when you learn they exist, begin to shape how you see everything in your day-to-day life?  Thinking forward was one of those things for me.  Once I learned it was a ‘thing’, I began to look for it everywhere.  And where it existed – compared to where it did not – was blatantly obvious.
    Thinking forward is essential for both horses and their riders. The lack of it in training is what causes everything to become ‘stuck’.  Often physically stuck!
    So a horse who plants himself in one spot and is unwilling to move forward.  Or a horse that needs constant ‘chasing’ to get to move anywhere at all! And with regards to the riders; a lack of forward-thinking allows them to become distracted by everything during each ride.  They struggle with consistency and actually doing what they set out to do.

    Rider’s Mental Forwardness

    Luckily, thinking forward is a little like concentration – it can be improved and strengthened over time.
    And this must begin with the rider being committed to developing this in themselves first.
    I will list more resources below about how you can begin to think this way…
    And, if you are looking for some ‘hand-holding’ while you are learning how to train your horse, make sure you get on the VIP list for my brand new program where I will be helping a small number of riders train their horses at home, alone, without a trainer or coach… Get on the list HERE
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Seeking Founding Riders…

    If you are considering training your horse at home or alone (boarding at a barn, but don’t have a regular coach or trainer), make sure you check out the details of my upcoming brand-new program.

    I’m looking for a limited number of riders to work in-depth with me and my team as we go through this program for the first time.  Get on the waitlist to be the first to find out all of the information… We start in early September. Join the Waitlist HERE (no obligation to join the program, just be the first to know all of the details :) )

    More Training On This:-

  • Essential Equipment When Training Your Horse

    Essential Equipment When Training Your Horse

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    Have you ever begun following a recipe and it’s all going great, until… You realize that you are missing an ingredient.  And whether it is an absolutely key ingredient or a more ‘supporting’ ingredient, it matters.
    Because at the end of the process, what you’ve made is not exactly what you had in mind when you began…
    Training your horse at home can sometimes feel like this.  You get a few days or weeks into it, only to find your momentum grinds to a halt when you don’t have access to a key piece of equipment.
    Today, I want to help you identify what you will need (the basics) to get started and what you might like to add further down the line. After all, the equipment when training your horse is almost as important as the plan.

    The Key Pieces of Equipment

    As mentioned, I am really focusing on the absolutely essential equipment when training your horse today.  There are many ways we could go with this, but I am going to assume that you are working towards training your horse correctly and as a ‘riding horse’.  Meaning that your horse is an allrounder that you can then decide to dedicate more time to pursuing a specific discipline if you want to.
    So, in my experience, these key elements are essential:-
      • 40m x 20m flat (ish) space to work in
      • A boundary for that space
      • Markers (such as dressage letters)
      • Access to a safe riding trail or field to ride in
      • 4 to 6 (or more) poles
      • 4 to 6 uprights or ‘blocks’ to raise the poles off the ground
      • Sheltered, safe, and quiet place to tack up/groom, etc.
      • Good fitting and suitable saddle and bridle
      • Lunging rope and lunging whip
      • Helmet, gloves, and (ideally) body protector
    I want to divide these into two categories and go into a little more detail.  As you can probably see, the first 7 items on the list have to do with ‘where’ you will ride. The second 3 are actual things you can use on yourself and your horse.

    “Riding Area Equipment”

    • 40m x 20m flat (ish) space to work in

    I’m going to start here with the most obvious item on the list; a flat space to work in.  Now, to be fair, a 20m x 20 m space will also work initially.  However, as you begin to ‘do more’ with your horse, you will require a larger area.  And, personally speaking, anything smaller than 20m x 40m is almost a little too restrictive and small.  A ‘good sized’ flat space with good footing is definitely part of the essential equipment when training your horse!
    This space does not have to be an actual arena.  A flattish area in a field is also suitable.  However, this can become a little ‘muddy’ or ‘hard’ during different seasons. But, if you need to get started, it will work.  It’s what I personally had access to as a little person, and while not perfect, it did the job🙂

    • A boundary for that space

    Many riders overlook this aspect of their space.  Is a solid railing or tape line even considered a piece of equipment when training your horse? Yes, oh yes, it is! Especially if they are working in an open field or a very large open arena.  But remember, the boundary of the area you are riding and working your horse in is an artificial aid.  It will help you to reinforce your aids (particularly the outside ones initially) and help with accuracy.
    If you are riding in a field, invest in a roll of white 40mm ‘horse tape’ and as many ‘stakes’ for that tape as you need.  This way you can erect and dismantle your ‘arena’ easily when necessary.  It will also allow you to move it if the ground becomes unsuitable for riding.
    If you are riding in a very large arena, you can either use the same tape or you can use poles and uprights to demarcate a smaller riding space.  Again, this is not a permanent ‘arena’; you will be riding in a larger space soon and then the poles or tape can be moved.

    • Markers (such as dressage letters)

    Whether or not you want to learn true dressage, having the markers is really handy when training your horse. I simply message the dressage letters because they are easy to obtain or to make if necessary.
    If you do want to make your own, find 8 bucket lids and simply paint one of the letters A,K,E,H,C,M,B,F onto each lid.  Then cable tie, nail, or screw the bucket lids to a pole or something suitable where the markers should be.  The measurement of the markers is important.

    • Access to a safe riding trail or field to ride in

    Riders and horses who only work in one space all of the time tend to become sour.  They also don’t learn to increase both their confidence and their trust in each other.  This is why I feel it is important to have access to an alternative riding area that you can use for simply relaxing and enjoying each other’s company – or training!
    A horse trail or quiet country lane is perfect.  An open field will also suffice if the footing is safe and suitable. The more safe riding areas you have access to, the more options you have when it comes to equipment when training your horse.

    • 4 to 6 (or more) poles

    I do think that a few poles are ‘essential’ equipment when training your horse.  Especially when you are serious about the work being done.  They are for going over, going through, on the ground, and raising them up as well.
    They do not have to be fancy or 14′ in length. In fact, shorter ‘thicker’ poles will help encourage more accuracy🙂

    • 4 to 6 uprights or ‘blocks’ to raise the poles off the ground

    Okay, so the poles are great.  And I am a firm believer in the power of a great groundpole exercise.  But being able to raise the poles is also great and can add a whole new perspective to your training exercises. And the ‘blocks’ do not have to be fancy.  Tyres or short logs will work if you don’t have anything else initially!

    • Sheltered, safe, and quiet place to tack up/groom, etc.

    There is nothing more frustrating than trying to prepare to ride and being at the mercy of the elements! It tends to start the whole ride off on the wrong foot.  I believe that the tone for each conversation or ride is established during the preparation phase, so it makes sense to create a space where you can enjoy and relax with your horse.
    It does not have to be fancy. However, once you have your space, maybe look at upgrading it each month.  Things should be easy to reach, on hand, and easy to use.  And, again, comfortable for you and your horse.

    “Horse & Rider Equipment”

    • Good fitting and suitable saddle and bridle

    This one goes without saying.  If the tack you are using is not right for your horse, it will negatively impact your training.  Many horses simply ‘inherit’ tack from other horses. Or they get sold on with a set of tack that is never questioned.
    Make sure you regularly fit your tack, especially when training as your horse may change shape.  And, also, make sure you regularly assess if the equipment (bits and nosebands especially) is the right one for the job at hand.

    • Lunging rope and lunging whip

    Both are necessary for working your horse correctly while on the lunge.  The lunge line is to help provide ‘contact’.  Not to ‘steer’ the horse or keep him on a circle.  The lunging whip is to ‘back up’ your natural driving aids. Not to ‘whip’ the horse.
    Used correctly, they really help your horse to understand your aids as they add clarity.

    • Helmet, gloves, and (ideally) body protector

    Okay, the helmet goes without saying.  The gloves, I feel, are important. Especially for lunging and some groundwork.  And the body protector… I realize many riders are against wearing one.  But remember, if you are training your horse alone, you will probably be alone for a lot of the training! Anything that can help prevent further risk to you or your horse is a win.  And a body protector falls into this category.  I feel it is well worth the investment.
    So there you have it. A list of things that I believe you will need when you begin working and training your own horse.  By getting a few basics in place, you will be able to create more consistency and momentum in your training.
    And when you couple this with good, correct training – well it’s a winning formula.
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Seeking Founding Riders…

    If you are considering training your horse at home or alone (boarding at a barn, but don’t have a regular coach or trainer), make sure you check out the details of my upcoming brand-new program.

    I’m looking for a limited number of riders to work in-depth with me and my team as we go through this program for the first time.  Get on the waitlist to be the first to find out all of the information… We start in early September. Join the Waitlist HERE (no obligation to join the program, just be the first to know all of the details :) )

    More Training On This:-

  • Rider Skills Necessary to Train or Retrain Your Horse

    Rider Skills Necessary to Train or Retrain Your Horse

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    It’s one of those things that, initially, can sound both amazing and terrifying at the same time.  Training your own horse. And maybe you have been thinking about undertaking this journey yourself, yet feel a little apprehensive about what’s required.  Because let’s face it, it can be a daunting goal to set.  Not only do you have to be ‘able’ to do it.  You also have to commit to following it through…

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I will lay out exactly what you need to be able and ready for if you do decide to train or retrain your horse. To decide if you truly have both the rider and trainer skills to make this work for you both.

     1. Basic Independent Aids

    Okay, the most obvious – yet often overlooked!  Now, I am not suggesting that you are the world’s greatest rider… However, for many ‘newbie’ riders, there can be an all-consuming ‘enthusiasm’ when it comes to what they realistically can do!

    I would say a good rule of thumb is that you can ‘hold’ your own posture, position, and balance ‘most’ of the time… And that you can regain any of the above quickly and quietly when you do have a ‘whoops’ moment. 

    Let’s be honest, having independent aids makes it so much easier for you to communicate.  And for your horse to actually understand your communication.  This is a huge part of training.  If you are still moving your hands when you use your legs. Or you’re losing your balance through transitions or around corners, I would say your aids and basics are in need of a little more attention before you begin working on your horse.

     2. Humility, Patience, & Compassion

    We are all going to feel frustrated or irritated along the way when it comes to developing ourselves as riders. This can become amplified when we are also training our horses. And there’s nothing wrong with those feelings if, or maybe when, they show up.  What is important is how we respond to them.

    When you can approach your training ‘challenges’ from a place of compassion and practice patience, it will almost always result in a quicker long-term positive outcome for the situation. 

    Adding a great big dash of humility in there will also keep you open to the fact that you may not be asking or responding in a way your horse understands.  Remember, training is a conversation.  It’s a two-way street.  It will take both of you being on the same page for it to truly resonate and ‘stick’.

     3. Self Awareness

    This is being able to catch yourself in a situation and question what you are doing, how you’re doing it, and why you’re doing it.  As riders who step into the role of full-time trainer, it can be so easy to just focus on the horse.  What the horse needs in their training, and what exercises will help develop the horse.

    It’s important to remember that you too are on a journey.  You are also learning, developing, and growing as a rider. And your horse’s overall development will be very much tied to your own development as a rider…

    Being able to see both perspectives is part of this.  And the ability to ‘pause’ for a moment and simply ‘feel’ or ‘experience’ what you are doing is also something we must learn to do. The more self-awareness you can bring to each situation, the better you will understand and ‘feel into’ your horse’s responses.  And this is what true ‘training’ is built on…

     4. Facilities & Resources

    Now, I know the whole topic is ‘rider skills’… However, I honestly feel that ignoring this part of the equation will negate most, if not all, of the above-mentioned aspects.  Let’s be frank; you NEED somewhere suitable to actually work your horse.  The best riders in the world will become frustrated if they are trying to work their horse in a space that doesn’t facilitate the training.

    A ‘flatish’ space with good footing is essential.  How big the space is can be debated.  Good fitting, comfortable, and safe tack and equipment are also essential.  As is time… 

    I often think that the idea of keeping a horse at home or saving money by boarding at a barn with few facilities can cloud some rider’s judgments.  You need the proper tools to train your horse.  Facilities and resources (time or money) are part of those ‘tools’.  Be realistic and honest with yourself here.

     5. Commitment

    Finally, if you have all of the above in order, you need to make the commitment!  It sounds like the easiest thing in the world.  And yet, it’s the ability to show up when you don’t feel like it that will often determine your results in the long run!

    I would suggest that all riders who are considering ‘training their own horse’ start off with a 3-month or 90-day commitment.  This is long enough to see results, but short enough to change track if necessary. 

    Training alone is not for everyone.  It can be hard to continue to show up consistently, especially when things are not going your way! However, it is also part of the journey. Showing up will not only help you to build trust in yourself and confidence in your skills, but it will also allow your horse to begin doing the same.  And this is a vital part of the skills necessary for training your own horse.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Seeking Founding Riders…

    If you are considering training your horse at home or alone (boarding at a barn, but don’t have a regular coach or trainer), make sure you check out the details of my upcoming brand-new program.

    I’m looking for a limited number of riders to work in-depth with me and my team as we go through this program for the first time.  Get on the waitlist to be the first to find out all of the information… We start in early September. Join the Waitlist HERE (no obligation to join the program, just be the first to know all of the details :) )

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