Strides for Success

Author: Lorna Leeson

  • What You’re Not Willing to Do in Order to Improve Your Riding

    What You’re Not Willing to Do in Order to Improve Your Riding

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    Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same loop with your horse? Experiencing the same behaviour, the same frustration and, because of those, the same feeling like you’re going nowhere – slowly!?  Over the past week, I received two different messages from two different riders. Both with very different questions and issues. But also, both using the same word to help describe their issue… That word was ‘handbrake’. And it got me thinking…

    If you’ve been stuck in your riding or training for any length of time, I can almost guarantee that it’s because there is something you are not willing to do.

    And nine times out of ten, it’s this; you’re not willing to go slow in your training! And I mean really slow! And not forever, just to get the correct basics working – that will allow you to speed up later.  That uncomfortable reality is what we’re diving into today. So, put your honesty jodhs on… This one might rub a little ;)

    Handbrake Riders of the World…

    Let’s begin with this idea of the handbrake. Some riders are obsessed with it. Either because they feel that can’t find it – think galloping flat out, white knuckles pulling, wide eyes… Or because they feel that they can’t get it off! It’s like the whole ride is happening with the handbrake activated and working really well!

    So, the messages I received were from two riders, with really the same problem, but from complete opposite ends of the scale.

    My first thought was how, for them, they’re stuck with the same mindset – that riding with a handbrake is even a thing. It’s not! Let’s think like car drivers for a second. How often do you use the handbrake when actually driving forward? NEVER. The handbrake is for when the car is stationary. A bit like ground-tying your horse or tying your horse up.  If you reach for the handbrake while your car is moving, you’re either about to stop VERY suddenly, or lose control and veer wildly off course!  Neither of those are what you’re looking for.

    When you’re driving and want to slow down, you don’t grab the handbrake! You use a combination of the brake pedal, the accelerator and your gears. So let’s retire the handbrake metaphor from riding! 

    What You’re Avoiding

    For both of these riders, my suggestion is the same. Go back to basics first and start on the ground working on the concept of ‘forward’. Forwardness, when it comes to horses, is a combination of a desire to move, responsiveness to aids, flowing energy, and horse and rider working together. Forwardness is not“going faster”, riding the handbrake, having to egg your horse on every second stride, or just accepting that you have to do all of the work!

    And, in my opinion, in order to achieve true forwardness, the work needs to begin long before you ever mount up in the saddle.  

    And, here’s where I think riders get stuck; they want to fix the symptom, the ‘energy level’, before fixing the root problem. For both of my above mentioned riders, the root issue comes down to basic communication.  Unfortunately, this is also the point where I often get push back from riders. Things like, “I don’t want to go back to beginner stuff.” or “It’s too boring.”. Even the “I’ll lose fitness and the training we already have.”

    The reality is that you are not going backwards. You’re simply choosing to steady up a little, so that you can create and strengthen a foundational piece that’s been missing. No fast-tracks, shortcuts, quick fixes, or gadgets.

    Forward Is a Mindset First

    As a rider, and especially if you’re working alone without a regular coach or trainer, you MUST invest time in the basics if you ever want to unlock that next level.  Here is how I suggest you get started with this today and turn it into a 12 week project with your horse.

    Step 1: Forward Thinking on the Ground

    Before you ask your horse to go forward under saddle, test this simple exercise. Lead your horse and pay attention to the following things:-

          • Who is initiating the first ‘forward’ step?
          • Who is responsible for maintaining forward in the walk?
          • Where are you in relation to your horse (beside the shoulder, the head, or in front)?
          • Is your horse waiting for you to drag, beg, or bribe them or are they dragging you along?
          • Or are they engaged and ready to move together with you?

    I was shocked when I first began asking riders to do this because most riders are not walking ‘with’ their horse. They are literally either dragging their horse along, or waterskiing tying to pull their horse back.

    Here’s the truth; if your horse won’t willingly walk beside you, as a willing partner, why on earth would they suddenly become forward-thinking once you’re on their back?

    This is where you need to begin to redefine your communication and your aids. Your voice, posture, position, pressure-and-release. It is by doing this, that you will begin to change the mindset to ‘thinking forward’.  And build trust in your leadership. Forward begins here.

    Step 2: Walking and Halting in the Saddle

    Once you’ve begun to encourage a little active participation from your horse on the ground, let’s move up to mounted work. And, let’s also go with the basics and keep it simple! Walk, then halt, then walk again. This is some of the most transformative work you will ever do with your horse. And, again unfortunately, the vast majority of riders dismiss it as being “too basic”! It’s not – it’s the foundation for everything else.

    Rinse and refine until you can begin to feel the understanding that you initiated on the ground, start to shine through in the saddle. 

    Spending time doing this work will have a hugely positive effect on everything. This is because during those walk–halt–walk transitions:-

          • You clarify what your aids mean and set expectations around them
          • You redefine responsiveness
          • You establish balance and rhythm
          • You begin to shift some of the responsibility to your horse
          • You set expectations for the trot and canter later

    This isn’t beginner work! This is the foundation of everything else you’ll do in the saddle. And this is why I think it’s well worth 2, 3, or more weeks focusing here. The changes you experience here will ripple through to everything else in your riding and training.

    Step 3: Trot (no handbrakes involved or necessary!)

    So without doing the earlier work in walk, many riders think they should just focusing on slowing down the trot – and this will solve all of their issues. Nope! Slowing down leads to excess tension, frustration (horse and rider), lack of energy to actually ‘do’ anything, and just a flat ride!

    We’re not looking for slow. We are looking for forward, connected, balanced, and rhythmic. We want the energy to ‘FLOW’, not go slow! That is not trotting…

    You can only really hope to develop a good quality trot when your horse is both thinking and moving forward and is responsive to your aids. And, again, I believe this all starts on the ground and is reinforced in walk.  If you try to skip ahead and jump any of these steps in your training, you will find yourself smack back where you stared! Invest the time doing this work.

    Step 4: Canter = The Result

    Finally, there is a temptation for riders on either end of this issue to start working on it from the canter itself. However, if you’re starting from the canter trying to solve your ‘handbrake’ issue, you’re just setting yourself up for frustration.

    Your canter will improve when both you and your horse have learned a new way of applying and understanding the aids. When the ‘terms’ of the aids have been renegotiated and agreed on. No sooner!

    And this work is always best done in the walk initially! You want a walk that has a sense of purpose, a halt that can ‘hold’ the energy, a trot that is working forward and connected. And only then can the canter become another gear that you can easily move in and out of.  Canter is graduation day, not lesson one.

    So… What Are You Willing to Do?

    This is the part where many riders take a deep breath, sit back, and admit, “I haven’t been willing to slow down” or “I thought I knew the basics already”. And that’s okay – we all think that we’re doing the right thing at some point only to figure out that we could be doing something very different!

    I would love for today to be the day that you choose to do things differently. Your horse doesn’t need you to push harder or hold tighter. He needs clarity, consistency, and leadership.

    What If You Gave Yourself 12 Weeks?

    Imagine dedicating the next three months to building new associations with your aids… Creating a mindset of forward-thinking in both you and your horse. Improving responsiveness and rhythm, along with developing more balance and emotional control.

    Summed up, what would happen if you invested 12 weeks to fixing the ACTUAL foundation of your riding

    Where would you and your horse be in just 3 months from now? I’m going to bet that it’s somewhere very different to where you are now. And all you have to do is make a decision, commit, and show up consistently for the two of you. Go slow now, so that you can go fast later!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Want Support While You Do This?

    October, November, and December 2025 inside Connection, are dedicated to working on the Half Halt, the key to refining all the basics we just talked about.  It’s exactly where your progress begins again.

    If this episode made you squirm a little, and wonder “…is she talking about me…?”, then Connection is exactly where you need to be!  Join us for the Half Halt Training at:- https://stridesforsuccess.com/join

    Online Training & Coaching

    The Your Signature Ride Challenge

    Here’s the idea: you use only your seat and leg aids to “write” your name in the arena. Sounds simple, right? But what it really does is sharpen your awareness of timing and clarity.  You’ll learn when your aids actually make a difference.  And you’ll have fun doing it.  All while creating a pattern that’s uniquely yours!

    You can sign up by CLICKING HERE

    It’s free to join, and every rider who participates gets access to a guided audio lesson to help them through the challenge. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win 3 months inside Connection (a $66 value)

    Restart & Reschool

    And if you would like a little more 1-to-1 coaching, explore Restart & Reschool Private Coaching. It is perfect if you’re starting your practice – or if you’re looking to turn your existing practice into something ‘real’ for you and your horse. I’ll guide you step by step on the way! You’ll not only get the full ‘OTTB; From Racetrack to Ready Program’, but also fornightly private lessons with me to move you forward in your riding.

    We can work on anything you would like; from groundwork, to lunging, to riding, to jumping… With the virtual private lessons, we can do all of these things – and more.  If you would like to find out me, you can let me know a little more about you HERE and I will then reach back out and we can chat!

    This is the support, training, and accountability you’ve been missing to finally follow through and start seeing progress. No fluff. No overwhelm. And as flexible as you need for your lifestyle. 

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Turning Your Reviews into a Plan when Riding Alone

    Turning Your Reviews into a Plan when Riding Alone

    What if you had everything you already need when it comes to figuring out the perfect plan when riding alone without a regular trainer or coach? And this is for whether you want to improve your own riding skills or focus on your horse’s training. You do and you can – and I will lay out exactly how, step by step.

    Reviewing your riding is one of the best ways to set you and your horse up for success in your riding and training. Especially if your plan when riding is based on what you have learned in your review. 

    So, if consistency when it comes to your riding and your training has been an issue, buckle up! This is the exact right training for you to help you begin to implement a few simple things in your riding, to move forward in your training.

    What to Include in Your Review

    Doing a regular riding review is one of the most powerful ways to make progress, especially if you are training alone without a regular coach or trainer. Just like checking your mirrors before you pull out to overtake, your riding review will help you make better choices for you and your horse in your training.

    However, in order to be effective, your reviews need to be consistent and happen as close as possible to the moment you dismount from the saddle! Otherwise, thoughts, impressions, and memories fade. 

    Inside Connection, we do this twice every month together. To help you get into the rhythm of regularly and consistently reviewing and planning your work with your horse. And for October, November, and December 2025, I am giving monthly training on how to use A.I. to make your reviewing process simpler and easier to help with your planning. You can find out more about Connection at https://stridesforsuccess.com/join

    The Planning Traps

    Okay, so once you’ve figured out what’s been going on the past two weeks in your riding and training, you need to turn your mind to figuring out where to go from here. The issue is that most riders fall into the trap of staying vague.

    They will say things like “I need to ride more often…”. This is too wishy-washy if you want to see real progress. And riding for the sake of riding rarely ever works! 

    Another way riders set themselves up for a fall when planning their rides is to try and do it all! They think that changing everything will give them the win they need. Creating a whole new schedule, packed with new exercises, and maybe even some new equipment thrown in for good measure, is not sustainable!

    Whatever plan you come up with must be realistic, do-able, effective, and pointing you and your horse in the direction you want to go with your riding, partnership, and training

    1 to 2 Week Plan from Your Review

    Look, I realise that you probably read 1 or 2 weeks and thought, “What?! I’m going all in for a month if I’m planning things out”. And I understand why you’re saying that. However, I am going to ask you to trust me a little and limit yourself to 1 or 2 weeks initially. Just like anything in life, the more you do this, the better you will become. And it gives lots of wiggle room for ‘things’ to happen!

     1 . Pick Your Priority

    From your review, you probably have picked up on a couple of things that are not as great as they could be. This could be actual training and riding-related. Or it could be to do with your time and schedule. Figuring out what works and what doesn’t can be slow at first. But this is exactly what gives you the momentum you need later. The important thing to remember is that not everything needs to improve at once or immediately!

    There will usually be a single ‘domino’ when it comes to your progress. One thing that you can change or implement to have a positive knock-on effect on so many other areas. Pick your domino!

     2. Set Up Support and Boundaries

    What needs to happen so that you can devote time and attention to that thing?  Maybe you need to move things around your schedule. It could be setting up poles or grids. Perhaps having a backup for bad weather. While you won’t be able to control everything, there are so many things you can influence. Your job now is to identify what they are and then take action!

    Having a clear outline of what it is you want to work on with your horse will allow you to create some excitement about it ahead of time, which will make the chances of it actually happening higher!

    3. Plan for Practice, Progress, and Pauses

    Okay, so once you’ve got a 1 or 2 key things that you want to work on over the coming week or two, now you can begin organising how this will happen. Again, the more often you get to do something, the more effective you’re going to be at doing the thing. This is true for both planning AND the thing you’re practicing!

    Nothing is ever a one-and-done situation when it comes to horses and training. The key to building on the foundations of relaxation and rhythm lies in the repetition of the basics. So include that in your plan! 

    Also, plan to create some progress in your training or partnership. Slowly ask bigger questions – slowly is the key word in that particular sentence! This might happen over a 2 or even 4-week period. Again, the more time you invest up front, will usually help build momentum later in your training.

    And just like us, your horse needs to rest as well. Rein in the temptation to keep hammering on at the same thing day in and day out. Add rest days and variety to both the training itself and where you’re training, if possible. 

    4. Review Your Planning!

    Finally, I have mentioned some traps earlier, but I think it’s also important to be both open and supple to making changes to your plan if and when you can. If you get a few days in and realise that there is no way you’re going to be able to make it happen, change it. I’ve been there myself, making the plan so big that it’s impossible to follow! Start slow and steady!

    And remember, tracking your rides and work is important for your next planning session! The better you become at reviewing your rides, the better you will be at planning the upcoming ones. Good reviewing leads to good planning! 

    Making Decisions Ahead of Time

    Finally, I really want to urge you to stop simply riding for the sake of riding. Look, I do think that every now and then, there are situations where this is good. In fact, I sometimes encourage riders to do exactly this. However, for today and for you, don’t! This is one of the single biggest reasons riders stop riding! It just becomes boring – for them and their horses.

    Just letting the week “happen to you” instead of you making decisions ahead of time about your riding and training won’t work when it comes to improving your riding or your horses training.

    Create ‘back up plans’ for the days when you’re short on time. I have a free resource at https://stridesforsuccess.com/15 that is full of different things you can do with 15 minutes or less to move your training forward. Create back up plans for rainy days, or scorching hot days! Going to your horse with an intention will always move the progess needle forward in your riding.

    ‘Plan when Riding Alone’ Workshop

    Every month, I host a Live Review and Planning Call inside of Connection. This takes the guessing out or your riding, and is a place where you can begin strategising about your riding and your training. We work together, in real time, on your previous two weeks in the saddle. And make plans for the upcoming two weeks as well.

    And because each call is recorded and available in your members’ app and on your private podcast feed, you can join anytime and start your 2-week cycle with us.

    This is how we build consistent momentum together, no matter your riding goals. Couple this with on-demand audio horse riding lessons in so many different categories, live group lessons, live Q&A sessions, and ongoing support throughout the month – I’m not sure what you’re waiting for ;) https://stridesforsuccess.com/join

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Online Training & Coaching

    The Your Signature Ride Challenge

    Here’s the idea: you use only your seat and leg aids to “write” your name in the arena. Sounds simple, right? But what it really does is sharpen your awareness of timing and clarity.  You’ll learn when your aids actually make a difference.  And you’ll have fun doing it.  All while creating a pattern that’s uniquely yours!

    You can sign up by CLICKING HERE

    It’s free to join, and every rider who participates gets access to a guided audio lesson to help them through the challenge. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win 3 months inside Connection (a $66 value)

    Restart & Reschool

    And if you would like a little more 1-to-1 coaching, explore Restart & Reschool Private Coaching. It is perfect if you’re starting your practice – or if you’re looking to turn your existing practice into something ‘real’ for you and your horse. I’ll guide you step by step on the way! You’ll not only get the full ‘OTTB; From Racetrack to Ready Program’, but also fornightly private lessons with me to move you forward in your riding.

    We can work on anything you would like; from groundwork, to lunging, to riding, to jumping… With the virtual private lessons, we can do all of these things – and more.  If you would like to find out me, you can let me know a little more about you HERE and I will then reach back out and we can chat!

    This is the support, training, and accountability you’ve been missing to finally follow through and start seeing progress. No fluff. No overwhelm. And as flexible as you need for your lifestyle. 

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Why Your Horse Is Hollow and How to Start Fixing It

    Why Your Horse Is Hollow and How to Start Fixing It

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    There’s a particular feeling most riders learn to identify pretty quickly, even if they don’t have the words for it! You know the one where, the one moment, you and your horse are moving along fairly happily together.  Until the next moment, it’s as if the whole arse has fallen out of everything!  You go from being carried to being ‘deflated’.

    Instead of feeling supported and connected, everything becomes jarring, bumpy, and even chaotic! Say a big hello to hollowness!

    The point in the ride when your horse’s back disappears from underneath you, the front end pops up, and you find yourself wondering where, exactly, it all went wrong.  And, rightly so, many riders respond by trying to “fix” the issue. Unfortunately, they tend to focus on their horse’s outline, usually through the reins… But, unfortunately, that only makes things worse – and even creates a bigger training issue further down the line! Let’s take this apart properly, so you can begin changing things in a way that will actually work.

    What “Your Horse is Hollow” Means

    Okay, let’s shift our minds a little here. I want you to begin to imagine that, in an ideal world, your horse’s back is a rainbow. When you’re riding, you’re up there ‘on top of the rainbow’. Connected and supported. Now, I want you to flip that rainbow (so it looks like a ‘smile’). This represents your horse’s back when he becomes hollow.  Instead of being supported, you feel like you’re sitting at the lowest point of a trough or an inverted curve.

    The Hind end trails, the back drops away, & the neck & head lift. The energy that should travel forward through the back simply never arrives. Nothing flows or connects

    The result is that everything begins to unravel. The steps get short and choppy. Transitions fall apart. There’s no gathering or connecting of the energy, because the energy is no longer there to connect! This is why your half-halts usually don’t feel helpful. It feels as though you and your horse are working against each other rather than as a team.

    And the longer your horse travels around like this, the more normal it becomes for him. Hollowness reinforces itself; which is why, so often ,this is a retraining issue

    Hollowness in Young Green Horses

    Okay, before we go any further, I want to first mention something that will show up for young or green horses. They can become hollow purely because they are just that! They lack the strength and the training to ‘carry’ for long periods. That is not what I am talking about today.

    However, if you suspect this is what’s going on for you, I’m going to suggest lots of groundwork. Especially over groundpoles. Be consistent with short and focused sessions and allow your horse time to develop.

    Hollowness in Other Horses

    So, before we go anywhere, I am going to assume (and if not, strongly suggest) that you have had your horse seen by the relevant professionals if this is a constant issue. And, only after you get the all clear that all is okay, then proceed  :) Okay, so let’s say that your horse is not young or green, but you are still feeling that hollowness show up. There are lots of reasons that lead to the ‘horse is hollow’ outcome. However, in my experience, there are 3 big points that show up again and again. And yes, I’m going to begin with you – the rider – not because you’re doing anything “wrong,” but because you’re half of the conversation.

    1. Hollowness Caused By the Rider

    Very often, hollowness begins with a small loss of balance. A little ‘speed wobble’ of sorts. This could be just you or you and your horse. But in that moment of tension or uncertainty, your body instinctively tries to catch itself.  The lower leg slips forward; your seat tips back toward your tailbone; the pelvis tucks; and suddenly, you’re using the reins for support. From the horse’s perspective, this is uncomfortable.

    His natural response is to avoid the pressure underneath your seat by dropping away from it. Then he braces his head and neck to try get away from your hands and to keep himself upright, leading to that ‘camel moment!

    Ironically, the more you try to ‘balance’ things with your horse, the more your horse hollows to get away from you! It’s a cycle that is hard to break. Especially because you have no control over your own balance or support.

    2. Lack of Forwardness

    Forwardness, or the lack of it, is the second big reason I see for horses becoming hollow. It is an absolutely ESSENTIAL ingredient when it comes to working with and training your horse. Without forward thinking, your horse will struggle to remain focused or have a sense of purpose. Without physical forwardness, there is no energy to gather or connect.

    A horse working and thinking “forward” isn’t rushing around like a mad thing; forwardness is simply the willingness to go somewhere with a sense of purpose. It’s the partnership or team element. 

    When it’s missing, the hindquarters disengage, the front end begins pulling rather than the hind end pushing, and the neck becomes a lever to hold everything together. The horse is, quite literally, running in front wheel drive. No amount of fiddling with the reins will change that. What has to change is where the energy is coming from and how it’s focused.

    3. Riding What You Can See

    The third and perhaps most common reason horses go hollow is that riders focus on the part of the horse they can see, the head and neck, rather than thinking about the horse as a whole. This is where some riders will sit up there, sawing the mouth off the horse in some misguided attempt at ‘on the bit.’ The constant see-sawing, pushing, pulling, and rearranging just causes the horse to ‘bottom’ out and hollow out.

    As a rider, it is so important to understand the mechanics of how your horse works. Chasing an outline or frame, rather than developing strength and balance, will get you nowhere in the long run (and probably cause your horse to break down!).

    An outline is never the starting point; it is the end result of many smaller agreements happening underneath you. Connection doesn’t begin in the mouth. Trying to “put a horse on the bit” from the front end only guarantees that the back will stay hollow, because none of the foundational elements are addressed. Pulling or sawing with your hands won’t fix hollowness.

    The simple truth is that if your horse isn’t using his back end to ‘step through’, he’s not engaging his back. And if he’s not engaging his back, the energy cannot connect to produce ‘contact’ or ‘connection. 

    Retraining Hollowness

    The good news is that you 100% can absolutely help your horse move away from hollowness.  You simply need to start in the right place.  And, for me, that place is walk.  In the walk, work on priority one first: Forwardness. And that is not more speed! Just a lovely shared sense of purpose. Picture a video where two people are walking down a street together. One is half-asleep and being dragged along by the other, who is engaged, alert, and ready! That is not what you want!  You want your horse to be a willing team member.

    So begin in walk, with the intention of moving somewhere together. And model what it is you’re looking for from your horse. No slouching and also no rushing. Just a quiet ‘sense of purpose’. 

    Once you have forwardness, begin developing rhythm. Rhythm provides the scaffolding the body needs to organize. Without rhythm, your horse is working with spaghetti legs; with rhythm, he can begin to connect one step to the next.

    The Rider’s Alignment

    From here, bring some awareness to your own alignment. One of my favourite questions to give riders is simple: if your horse suddenly vanished from underneath you, would you land on your feet? If the answer is no, meaning you’d land on your backside or on your face, something is wrong and could just be contributing to the hollowness.

    A balanced and aligned rider gives the horse the space to connect through is back. A rider who is tipping, bracing, or hanging on makes it much harder for the horse’s energy to flow through.

    Follow Up with a Half-Halt

    Many riders only use the half-halt to prevent disaster. They feel something falling apart, and they clamp down, hoping to hold the picture together. Unfortunately, that often creates more hollowness, not less.  The half halt is a split second, never a brace or hold! And it’s when you use it like that, your horse follows suit and does the same!

    So, instead of just ‘minding’ your horse, start at the beginning with the half halt. Use it to first get your horse’s attention. Then, apply it to reorganize or rebalance.

    And only after these two pieces are in place, can you then allow it to help support you and your horse. A helpful place to start is the transition from walk to halt. It’s simple, but it gives you the opportunity to gather your horse’s attention, rebalance, and keep the hind back end stepping underneath you both as you ask for the halt. A simple but effective way to begin rebuilding the conversation.

    Training & Retraining

    Horses that become hollow are not being ‘bold’ or naughty. They are usually doing it because something else is off. Either they don’t understand, haven’t the physical strength, are trying to get away from something (usually the rider), or they have been trained that way!

    Unfortunately, retraining often takes longer than teaching something fresh, because you must first understand what the horse believes is being asked. Then, over time and through consistency, gradually replace that understanding with a clearer, more helpful version. Short, thoughtful sessions will always beat long, exhausting ones for this type of work.

    The goal is simple: to flip that smiley face back into a rainbow. To create a way for your horse to connect the energy being generated from the back end with the contact in the front end…

    If your horse is hollow, it’s not the end of the world. This is 100% something you can work together to overcome in your riding and training together. It will take consistency, time, and ‘showing up’ from both of you. But it is well worth the effort to build that solid foundation.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Connection & The Half Halt

    October, November, and December 2025 are dedicated to the half halt inside of Connection, my online membership for equestrians. We will be revisiting (or visiting for the first time) the half-halt from the foundation up, so it becomes a reliable aid rather than a mysterious one.

    We do this through step-by-step audio horse riding lessons, live group lessons, riding plans you can take straight into the saddle, eview & planning sessions, and live Q&As that help you understand what’s working and why. 

    If hollowness is something you’re experiencing, or if your half-halt feels like it’s not doing anything useful, this would be an excellent time to join us. You can find the details at https://stridesforsuccess.com/join.

    The Your Signature Ride Challenge

    Here’s the idea: you use only your seat and leg aids to “write” your name in the arena. Sounds simple, right? But what it really does is sharpen your awareness of timing and clarity.  You’ll learn when your aids actually make a difference.  And you’ll have fun doing it.  All while creating a pattern that’s uniquely yours!

    You can sign up by CLICKING HERE

    It’s free to join, and every rider who participates gets access to a guided audio lesson to help them through the challenge. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win 3 months inside Connection (a $66 value)

    Restart & Reschool

    And if you would like a little more 1-to-1 coaching, explore Restart & Reschool Private Coaching. It is perfect if you’re starting your practice – or if you’re looking to turn your existing practice into something ‘real’ for you and your horse. I’ll guide you step by step on the way! You’ll not only get the full ‘OTTB; From Racetrack to Ready Program’, but also fornightly private lessons with me to move you forward in your riding.

    We can work on anything you would like; from groundwork, to lunging, to riding, to jumping… With the virtual private lessons, we can do all of these things – and more.  If you would like to find out me, you can let me know a little more about you HERE and I will then reach back out and we can chat!

    This is the support, training, and accountability you’ve been missing to finally follow through and start seeing progress. No fluff. No overwhelm. And as flexible as you need for your lifestyle. 

    Online Training & Coaching

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Why Your Half Halt Isn’t Working

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    Have you ever felt as though the concept of the half halt is a memo every other rider, except for you, somehow received? If so, you’re not alone! There was no memo, and there are more riders than you can imagine out there who also just don’t ‘get it’!

    Which is strange because the half halt is one of the most widely referenced tools in riding! And yet it remains one of the least understood!  Today, I want to simplify it for you. We’re going to look at what the half halt is, what it isn’t, how to tell if yours is working, and what to do when it’s not.

    My goal is that by the time you finish reading, you’ll have a clearer picture of how this small moment of communication between you and your horse can genuinely change how you work together.

    What ‘Is’ The Half Halt?

    Let’s begin with the simplest explanation. The half halt is a tiny moment of rebalancing. Nothing dramatic, nothing forceful. Just you and your horse pausing, ever so slightly, to redistribute weight, reorganize, refocus – and then continue on together with more clarity.

    Think of it as a gentle invitation to reset the balance so that the next stride, transition, or movement feels more together.

    And while on it’s own, it’s extremely powerful, it’s also worth noting that a half halt is rarely a “one and done” situation. Because it’s such a small moment, you often need a few of them close together to make a noticeable difference. That’s normal. The half halt is subtle by design. That subtlety is its power.

    Why Does it Feel Complicated?

    The confusion around the half halt usually begins because people make it sound far more complicated than it needs to be. There is this idea that half halts belong to the world of very advanced riding. That they exist on a mystical plane occupied only by the Top 1% of riders – and maybe some unicorns! That is not the case.

    You can begin using half halts today, no matter where you are in your riding journey. Like everything, you will refine it over time, but you do not need to wait until you are “ready” to begin.

    The real key to understanding the half halt is recognizing that it is not just one aid. It’s a blend of a lot of your aids working together, almost simultaneously. If you take nothing else from this, please take this: your hands come last. Most riders begin with their hands, and that is where everything falls apart. The reins are not the half halt. They are only one final part of it.

    Riding the Half Halt

    A correct half halt begins with you. Your seat and posture come into play first. Think of it as ‘carrying’ yourself so that you’re modeling what you want for your horse to follow. You should become an example of the ‘self-carriage’ you’d like your horse to adopt.  Then your leg is there to maintain the forward energy. Only once that energy is present do you close your fingers briefly to collect and channel what you’ve already created.

    The hand does not create anything. It only gathers what the seat and leg have already put into place

    This is where many riders struggle. They go first with the reins, hoping to “make something happen,” but there is nothing there to collect. They are trying to grab and hold energy, rather than wait for the energy to be ready to be gathered.  When the reins come first, it either stops the forward flow completely or it creates tension that blocks the possibility of connection. Either way, the half halt simply cannot work.

    Did It Work? (the big question!)

    So how do you know if your half halt actually had a positive influence? One of the clearest signs is a lightening of the forehand. When the weight redistributes, you can usually feel the horse lift slightly in front. The balance improves, and the energy begins to feel clearer. It becomes easier to direct. Everything feels a little more organized underneath you.

    You may also feel the rhythm settle. If things were starting to get fast or slightly scattered, the half halt helps to bring the horse back into a more relaxed, consistent tempo.

    You and your horse become more together. That’s what a half halt is supposed to achieve: a sense of working with one another rather than against.

    What you should not see is a big, dramatic change. If the horse slows considerably, hollows, or becomes tense, that wasn’t a half halt. That was just pulling! A correct half halt is barely visible. You almost have to feel it more than see it. When a horse and rider are working well together, you won’t see big corrections. The rider uses quick, subtle adjustments before things go wrong. The half halt becomes part of that quiet conversation.

    Why Isn’t My Half Halt Working?

    If your half halt isn’t producing these kinds of changes, there are a few likely reasons. The first is, like I’ve already mentioned, too much hand. If the rein aid is too strong or too early, everything falls flat. Another common issue is the lack of your supporting leg. If your lower leg swings forward, or if it’s simply doing nothing, the energy disappears before it can be gathered!  Timing is another factor. Many riders hold the half halt too long.

    The whole moment should take only the space of a single footfall, not an entire stride. If you hold too long, the energy becomes blocked – and the conversation becomes stuck! 

    And sometimes the horse simply doesn’t understand yet. That’s not a failure. It just means there is more training to be done, and more clarity to establish between you. The half halt is a conversation that grows and develops over time.

    All Half Halts are Not the Same…

    One of the most important things to remember is that the half halt is not fixed. It changes depending on the day, the horse, what you are doing, etc.  Even though both of you feel physically and mentally can have an impact on the quality of the half halt. You cannot approach it as a formula where two plus two always equals four. Some days your horse is supple and forward-thinking, and everything responds easily. Other days, the response is delayed or dull.

    Your half halt must remain supple and adaptable. You adjust your approach to meet the horse where they are.

    Practicing the ‘Feel’

    If this feels overwhelming, try to relax. The best way to learn the half halt is through simple, consistent practice. The next time you ride, begin by organizing yourself. Focus on your self-carriage first. Then, feel your horse through your seat. Allow your core to quietly stabilize. At the same time, your legs come on just enough to encourage the energy to keep flowing forward. Once that energy is there, close your fingers briefly. Then release. That release is just as important as the gathering.

    You can practice this every six to eight strides to begin. Simply remind yourself what you’re about to do; then, sit tall, feel, gather, release. Notice how it feels.

    Does the balance change? Does the rhythm improve? Do you feel slightly more connected? These changes may be tiny at first, but over time they accumulate. Each half halt builds on the last.

    If Your Half Halt Isn’t Working…

    Learning to ride a good half halt is not an overnight achievement or a quick fix. It requires dedicated and intentional time working on it in the saddle. It also takes consistency and a willingness to listen and respond to your horse. Notice the feedback your horse gives you. Notice how the balance shifts when you get the timing right. Notice the small improvements.

    The half halt, more than anything, it requires an openness to feeling. You cannot learn feel from a book or a video or even a coach. You learn it by doing. That is why this is an invitation to experiment. 

    If you find you would like support with this, we are dedicating October, November, and December 2025 to working through the half halt inside Connection. October is focused on half halting on the lunge, and then through November and December, we will bring those principles into the saddle.

    With weekly live training sessions, audio riding lessons, and ongoing support, Connection may be what will help you and your horse.  You can find the details at stridesforsuccess.com/join.

    For now, take this simple explanation with you to the arena. Practice it. Play with it. Pay attention to what changes. That is where you and your horse will truly begin to both understand and respond to this tool.

    And, with time and consistency,  the half halt will become something natural, fluid, and fantastically effective for you and your horse!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    The Your Signature Ride Challenge

    Here’s the idea: you use only your seat and leg aids to “write” your name in the arena. Sounds simple, right? But what it really does is sharpen your awareness of timing and clarity.  You’ll learn when your aids actually make a difference.  And you’ll have fun doing it.  All while creating a pattern that’s uniquely yours!

    You can sign up by CLICKING HERE

    It’s free to join, and every rider who participates gets access to a guided audio lesson to help them through the challenge. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win 3 months inside Connection (a $66 value)

    Restart & Reschool

    And if you would like a little more 1-to-1 coaching, explore Restart & Reschool Private Coaching. It is perfect if you’re starting your practice – or if you’re looking to turn your existing practice into something ‘real’ for you and your horse. I’ll guide you step by step on the way! You’ll not only get the full ‘OTTB; From Racetrack to Ready Program’, but also fornightly private lessons with me to move you forward in your riding.

    We can work on anything you would like; from groundwork, to lunging, to riding, to jumping… With the virtual private lessons, we can do all of these things – and more.  If you would like to find out me, you can let me know a little more about you HERE and I will then reach back out and we can chat!

    This is the support, training, and accountability you’ve been missing to finally follow through and start seeing progress. No fluff. No overwhelm. And as flexible as you need for your lifestyle. 

    Online Training & Coaching

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Group or Private Lessons; Or Just Stick with Solo Riding?

    There’s one question I get asked at least once a week, by both ‘in-person’ riders, and online riders I’ve connected with. And just yesterday, I realised that, somehow, I’ve never actually answered it here! The question goes something like this:- “Should I have lessons? And if so, what kind; private or group?”.   Some riders will also enquire about my thoughts on DIYing it!

    And my answer, as with so many things in horse riding, is “It depends.”  Because the truth is, where you are right now in your riding journey will determine what type of lessons, or combination of lessons, will help you move forward the fastest.

    So today, let’s unpack the pros and cons of private lessons versus group lessons, and where they fit in your journey.

    Beginners & Riders Rebuilding Confidence

    If you’re at the beginning of your riding journey, or if your confidence has taken a tumble, my answer is easy.
    Start with short, focused, and consistent private lessons.  Private lessons give you time, space, and focused attention. You’re not worrying about someone trotting up behind you or cutting across your path. You can breathe, learn, and actually absorb what’s happening.  Plus, by keeping them on the shorter side (I would say no longer than 30 minutes), you’re doing both yourself and the horse a favour.

    Most beginner riders (and those returning after a break) aren’t “riding fit” yet. Thirty minutes of focused, one-to-one instruction will take you further than an hour of chaos and confusion in a group.

    But I’d add a twist that most riders never think about… Watching lessons.  Yes, really.  Find a good instructor and sit with them during another rider’s lesson.  The other rider that you’re watching should be ‘slightly’ further along than you are in their riding skills and abilities. This type of lesson is so valuable because your instructor will get to point out things that are often hard to ‘feel’ or comprehend when in the saddle as a beginner. Things like:-

          • The difference between sitting and posting to the trot
          • How the diagonals work in the trot
          • What “bend” or flexion actually looks like, etc.

    Watching someone else do the things, and learning from their mistakes makes it so much easier to understand when it’s your turn in the saddle. 

    And for nervous riders, watching can also help to calm your mind. You see that other riders can ride safely, happily, and confidently, which allows your brain to begin to accept that maybe you can, too.  And that opens the doors to different possibilities.

    Whoa, Go, & Steer Riders

    If you can comfortably go, whoa, and turn without ending up in a collision, congratulations! I would say that this is the point where you can graduate to the group lesson phase.  And this is really where group lessons become priceless.  You get to both ‘see’ and ‘do’.   You’ll see another rider perhaps make a mistake, and then you get to learn from it when your instructor explains why it happened. So often, you’ll have these ‘light bulb moments’. And all without having to actually make the mistake yourself!

    Another benefit to group lessons are the breaks between when you’re actively doing the work. Because, let’s face it, if your not riding fit, your body and mind will need a chance to catch it’s breath – and mentally reset! 

    There’s also the motivation factor. A good group lesson creates momentum.  Everyone’s cheering each other on and celebrating small wins together.  These group lessons are fun, energizing, and inspiring, everything a mid-level rider needs to keep growing.

    Happy Hackers

    I know this is not a name all riders like to identify themselves by, but I feel it fits the bill here. You’re pretty good at handling yourself when riding in the arena – and equally as good at keeping the conversation with your horse safe and working forward outside of the arena. You’ve got the basics down.  You’re competent, capable, and comfortable. But, you’re not quite sure what’s next.

    That’s where the blended approach comes in.  Group lessons and/or clinics help you stay connected, motivated, and learning from others. And when coupled with private lessons; you’re onto a winner! 

    The private lessons (even once or twice a month) give you targeted feedback on your specific goals; contact, canter transitions, or that sticky confidence moment that still lingers.

    My one word of advice here is regarding mixing instructors. Maybe you have a local instructor you meet up with once a month with 3 other riders for a group lesson. And then a private instructor that you meet up with once a month online… Make sure they’re on the same page with your basics and your goals. They don’t need to agree on everything (few ever do!), but conflicting methods will only slow you down.

    Finding Your Balance

    At some point, every rider wonders:  “Do I really need lessons? Can’t I just figure this out myself?”  And of course, yes, you can ride on your own! But if you never get feedback, your training bubble starts to shrink. You and your horse get comfortable, too comfortable, and before you know it, you’re wandering instead of progressing.

    Even a monthly check-in with a coach can make a world of difference. It keeps you accountable, motivated, and aware of what’s really happening in your riding.

    Riding alone can be wonderful. But riding alone forever can make you stuck.

    Connection

    Inside Connection, we blend all of this together intentionally.  Each month, we have a live virtual group lesson, where riders from around the world join in real time. Some are in the saddle; others watch and take notes.

    Everyone learns something valuable, especially when we’re working on foundational topics like half halts (our focus for the next three months).

    Then, there’s Connection VIP and Restart & Reschool Private Coaching. Both of these are built around the private one-to-one online riding lessons where we dig deep into your exact challenges, refine your aids, and build your confidence.  This blended model, group learning plus private feedback, gives riders the best of both worlds.

    So, Which One’s Right for You?

    Ask yourself a few questions…  Is it space, time, and quiet focus that you’re craving? If so, go private. However, if you want motivation, community, and new challenges… Group lessons are probably the way forward. And if you want the best of both worlds, then begin experimenting today with finding your blended rhythm.

    Whichever you choose, make it intentional.  And remember: the best riders in the world still have trainers.

    Not because they’re not good enough.  But because they know growth happens faster when someone helps you see what you can’t see yourself.  Join the Connection membership today for monthly group lessons, live reviews, and ongoing support.  Or explore Connection VIP and Restart & Reschool Private Coaching if you’re craving focused, one-to-one guidance.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Online Training & Coaching

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • How Using A.I. in Your Horse Riding Is Like a Half Halt

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    Have you ever noticed how the principles we use to train our horses almost always apply to us as riders, too?
    I’m a big believer in that — the idea that if something’s important for your horse, it’s probably important for you as well.

    Lately, we’ve been diving deep into half halts.  These little moments can completely change the feel and flow of a ride. And how much time you spend ‘reestablishing’ rather than ‘maintaining’ the good work you’re doing!  So what if you could take the concept of a half halt and apply it to your own learning and mindset as a rider?

    Today, I want to show you how you can do just that, and how bringing A.I. into your horse riding can help you pause, reflect, and make more progress than ever before.

    Half Halt for Horse & Rider

    Imagine this… You’re riding your horse through a corner. Maybe you’re in the arena, maybe you’re out on the trail. Everything feels fine, and then suddenly there’s a little speed wobble. You feel your horse tip forward, lose rhythm, and start to feel a little off balance.  Now, what do you do in that moment?  You could just push on, right? Add leg, ride through it, and hope everything settles. Sometimes it does, but often it doesn’t.  What usually happens is that your horse gets heavier on the forehand, loses more balance, and you spend the next few minutes trying to get things back on track.

    But if you feel that wobble and respond with a well timed and put-together half-halt instead…  A quick, intentional pause to rebalance and redirect energy, chances are you will catch the ‘wobble’ before it becomes a problem!

    You stay connected. You and your horse realign.  The half halt saves what’s already good, without having to start all over again.  Now, what if you could do that for yourself?  For your mindset as a rider and trainer.

    Half Halt for Your Mind

    A half halt is like a “whoa, steady up” moment.  It’s a pause, but not a stop. It’s a second to reconnect, re-engage, and move forward with intention again.  As riders, we need to learn how to apply that same principle mentally. Because just like our horses, we have our own speed wobbles. Those moments where we lose focus, get frustrated, or push on without really thinking about why.  And that’s when things start to unravel.

    Instead of rushing through, the mental half halt is your moment to pause, to assess, not judge. To say, “Hold on, what’s really happening here?” That’s how you stay balanced as a rider, no matter what’s happening underneath you.

    Review Your Rides

    I’ve said it for years (since 2013, in fact): intentionally reviewing your rides is one of the single most important things you can do to improve your riding.  If you want to improve your skills and your partnership with your horse, you have to know what’s actually happening. Not just guess! You can’t change what you’re not aware of.

    But here’s the thing… Reviewing your rides takes time. Writing or typing notes after every session can feel like another task on a long list. And most riders, understandably, stop doing it.  That’s where A.I. in your horse riding becomes a total game-changer.

    How A.I. Can Help You “Half Halt”

    Now, before you switch off at the word “A.I.,” hear me out.  I’m not talking about robots replacing riders or trainers. I’m talking about using A.I. as a simple reflection tool. Something that can help you notice things more clearly and quickly, so you can redirect and rebalance your training just like a half halt does in the saddle.

    Think of it as your digital accountability partner.  Let’s say after your ride, you open an app and record a short voice note:

            • What worked today?
            • What didn’t feel quite right?
            • What do I want to focus on next time?

    I’ve found that by speaking freely with no filters or structure, I give more details and feelings. And this is where the gold happens. Because, even if you feel that it will take ages to make heads or tails of what you just said, A.I. can do this in seconds.

    Simply ask your A.I. tool (like ChatGPT, etc.):  “Can you summarize what I said and help me identify any patterns or key takeaways?”

    It doesn’t tell you what to do. It simply packages what you’ve already said in a clear, structured way, like a tidy, ready-to-use reflection note. It’s your personal lesson review assistant! 

    Over time, it begins to spot the subtle things you might miss. It highlights trends in your training, your focus, even your mindset.  And, from my own personal experience, that’s where the magic happens!

    Why A.I. Works So Well for Equestrians

    A.I. is designed to spot patterns. That’s literally how it functions, by noticing connections and recurring details in what you feed it.  When you apply this to your horse riding, it becomes an incredible awareness tool.  It might show you that:

          • You mention “rushed transitions” in three separate sessions
          • You keep describing a left bend issue in canter
          • You only talk about rhythm when you’re on one specific horse

    Those are the kinds of patterns we often miss because we’re too close to the work.  And once you see them, you can half halt your own habits,  redirect your focus, rebalance your energy, and progress with purpose.

    A.I. Won’t Replace Feel – It Refines

    It’s worth saying again, this isn’t about letting A.I. tell you what to do! It’s about letting it help you see what’s already there.  Because when you can clearly see your own patterns, you can make better choices. You can set goals that are realistic and motivating. You can train with focus instead of frustration.

    That’s the real half halt in your riding development and training; learning to pause and rebalance or refocus if necessary, before pushing forward.

    Using A.I. in Your Horse Riding

    Let me give you a final example… Let’s say your current goal is to ride a track of fences in a balanced canter.  However, you’ve noticed that every time you approach a fence from the left rein, the chances of rubbing or knocking a pole are higher!  When you start reviewing your rides consistently, you start to see what’s happening. It’s not hte jump – its the turn on the left rein BEFORE the jump that’s the issue!

    The same way a well-timed half halt through the corner sets you up for a balanced jump, a mental half halt — through regular reviews — helps you steady your thoughts, refocus, and decide what really needs your attention next.

    And when you bring A.I. into your horse riding, you multiply that effect. You make it easier to pause, easier to notice, easier to learn.

    Learning A.I. in Your Horse Riding.

    Inside Connection, we’re spending October, November, and December diving into exactly this; how to use A.I. in your horse riding to review, reflect, and plan better.  Each month, riders get live “Review and Planning” calls and for the final quarter, I will be delivering new training to riders on how to get the best results with A.I. as their riding journal. Riders will be getting prompts to test out for themselves, and my feedback if they need it as well.

    It’s all about learning to use modern tools to enhance traditional equestrian training, not replace it.

    If this idea of half halts, reflection, and using A.I. in your horse riding resonates with you, I’d love for you to join us inside Connection.  It’s a completely new experience, rebuilt from the ground up, to help everyday riders (especially those working without a regular trainer) make steady, measurable progress.  Join Connection here: www.stridesforsuccess.com/join

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Online Training & Coaching

    Connect with Lorna online:-