Strides for Success

Author: Lorna Leeson

  • 5 Reasons You’re Struggling with Lunging – Part 2 Your Horse

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    If lunging is just not working for you and your horse, there is a whole element that you are missing out on when it comes to your training and your work together. In the previous Daily Strides Podcast episode and post, I spoke about 5 ways that you, the person lunging, might be struggling. In this post, I want to explore this from your horse’s perspective.

    Riding is a team sport, lunging is the same. If your horse does not understand the concept, the questions, or the expectations around lunging, he will struggle… And you will most likely as well!

    Here are 10 reasons that your horse might be struggling with lunging and why this is blocking any progress for you both in using this method in your work together.

     1. What’s a Circle?!

    For so many horses, up to the point where we introduce lunging, they have always worked with either their ‘rider’ beside them or on their back. So it makes sense that standing 6 or so meters or yards away from them is a completely new concept! Couple this with the idea of staying on a consistent track, or circle… It’s easy to see how things can go wonky! Corners are cut, horses turn in, or drift out…

    Your horse needs to understand that even though you are ‘further away’, you are still asking questions and expecting certain responses from your horse. This will take time, consistency, & patience on your part. 

     2. Consistent Rhythm & Balance

    Many horses become familiar with their rider’s always being there to ‘correct’ things. However, when working on the lunge, your horse must now begin to take responsibility for maintaining and correcting himself a little more.  Add to this the challenge of being on a constant bend or curve! Also keep in mind that this can be due to a lack of development or fitness if young, green, or coming back to work after a break.

    Is your horse struggling with maintaining a consistent rhythm or tempo, or is regularly unbalanced while working on the lunge? If so, it’s important to give him time to understand how to begin taking more responsibility for this himself. And to develop physically and mentally. 

     3. Doesn’t Understand Your Aids

    So often we ‘think’ or ‘assume’ that everyone understands everything we say or mean – only to find out that they don’t! Lunging, just like riding, is about communication. And your horse, just like you, needs to learn what everything means and how to communicate this way together.

    If your aids are unclear, misunderstood, or contradictory, lunging will not happen the way you want it to! Take time to explain your aids and check that your horse understands them.

    4. Anxiety around the Whip

    I’ve spoken about this in the previous post, how often riders are misusing (whether intentional or not) the whip while lunging. Unfortunately, many horses already have anxiety about the whip due to past experiences with other riders, so this may not be your fault. help your horse to understand that a whip is a tool to either ‘point things out’ or ‘extend your aids’.

    If your horse associates the whip with a negative experience, rather than removing it from your training,work on desensitizing your horse to it. It’s neutral. And in your hands, it’s not going to hurt him. 

     5. Too Much or Too Little Energy

    The final challenge we will cover today is either the lack of forwardness or motivation some horses tend to have. Or the rushing, overly excessive energy other horses have when working on the lunge. Both will make it extremely difficult to create quality work. And both will require your horse to think and act differently going forward.

    Just like riding, relaxation is a key requirement for you and your horse when lunging. And when it comes to horses, relaxation is another way of saying ‘managing tension’. The right amount for the current focus and job.

    Help Your Horse Enjoy Lunging

    Our horses can’t ‘talk’ to us. They often communicate through their behaviors. It’s important to take the time to try and understand why your horse is reacting or responding the way he is. When you can figure out what’s going on, you can help him to understand lunging.

    Addressing any of the struggles that show up will require clear, consistent communication, patience, and commitment with time to building your horse’s confidence and understanding. This way, lunging can become a really helpful part of both of your journeys.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More on this Topic:-

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • 5 Reasons You’re Struggling with Lunging – Part 1

    Hands up if, at some point in your riding journey, you’ve been guilty of thinking that lunging was a simple matter of your horse going in circles. Don’t feel bad, I’ve been there too. Most riders have, and so many still are!

    Lunging is so much more than just running in circles. It is an amazing way to connect with your horse and compliment or continue with your training when riding. 

    Like most worthwhile things, it takes time, practice, and improving your skills to get the most from lunging. It’s not something that just magically ‘happens’. Between getting tangled in the lines to missed communication between you and your horse, lunging is an art. It’s like riding. So when you approach it that way, you can begin to improve :)

    In this episode and post, I will focus on 10 common challenges that riders have when it comes to lunging. Now, Obviously, I say riders; I mean ‘lungers’, as in you on the ground in the circle with your horse trying to lunge :)

     1. No Plan or Purpose for the Session

    Ah, the old ‘no plan’. Just like riding, if you are hoping to use lunging as a tool to improve your work with your horse or your horse’s training, you need a plan! It’s when you show up in the arena with no clear intention or focus for the session, that it can very quickly become ‘running in circles.

    Just like your riding, if lunging is to benefit your work with your horse, you need to take the time to create a plan that connects to your goals or vision for your horse’s training and your riding. 

     2. Getting All Tangled Up!

    Is there anything as frustrating as trying to explain something to your horse, while also trying to get ‘untangled’ from the lunging line?!  If you are going to use lunging as a tool to help you and your horse improve, you must learn how to use the lunging equipment! And it’s not just the lunge line. This extends to the whip, cavesson or bridle, boots, bandages, and all of the other things you can use to make the experience better and safer for you and your horse. ,

    If you feel awkward and overwhelmed about using the lunge line, it will transfer to your horse through ineffective, stiff, and muffled communication.

     3. Wrong Position & ‘Cues’

    Your position as it relates to your horse when lunging is as important as your seat when riding. It is the foundation for everything. And it is also one of the biggest struggles riders have when lunging! They find themselves blocking the horse by being too far forward, or driving the horse when too far back.

    And because your horse is in almost constant motion when lunging, your position in relation to your horse must be constantly adjusted to reflect what you want to communicate to your horse. One wrong move and you are having an entirely different conversation! 

     4. Struggling with the Whip…

    Before we begin, I STRONGLY believe this artificial aid has the wrong name. It should be called a pointer. Or an ‘extender’. Because that’s what it does. It ‘points’ to areas that you would like your horse to focus on, or it ‘extends’ your aids (which is its primary role when lunging). Unfortunately, there are so many riders who do not know how to lunge correctly and, therefore, rely far too much on the whip or use it incorrectly. And you don’t necessarily need to ‘whip’ the horse to do either of those things…

    Incorrect or overuse of the whip is never a good thing and, however well intended, will usually result in excessive tension, anxiety, or confusion for the horse. It’s an aid that must be used with your other aids for positive results

     5. No Link between Lunging & Riding Goals

    And finally, it all comes back to planning and becoming clear on your vision.  If you want to really strengthen your training and your partnership with your horse, you have to begin seeing everything you do together holistically – instead of lunging being a completely separate activity.

    Almost everything you can work on or work towards while in the saddle can be worked on in some way while on teh ground. And so often, it is the different perspective that really cements the concept for both you and your horse…

    Stop Struggling with Lunging!

    I can go on and on about the things that riders struggle with when it comes to lunging. These are just a few of the ones I hear about from riders on a weekly basis. And the sad part is that these challenges, which can make lunging feel frustrating or unproductive, can all be easily remedied or changed.

    With some clear guidance, you can really transform your lunging experience into something special for you and your horse. I have created a free 3 Days to Successful Lunging audio program you can use today to start you on your journey. Get it for free by CLICKING HERE
    .

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More on this Topic:-

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • How Virtual Horse Riding Lessons Can Transform Your Riding

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    The world has changed and access to riding instructors and trainers has changed with it… Virtual horse riding lessons are now so easy to schedule, that riders can connect with trainers from all over the world. Not just the ones who live locally or are willing to travel to their barn or property.

    So, whether you’re juggling a hectic schedule or living far from an experienced or suitable instructor, there’s no need to put your riding goals on pause anymore. Virtual horse riding lessons are an absolute game changer and I want to tell you how they can help you as well.

    Why Virtual Horse Riding Lessons?

    Like I mentioned, life is busy. Virtual lessons can help to navigate this a little more than traditional lessons.  There’s no boxing or trailering horses to a different barn. There’s also the opportunity to choose times for lessons that may not suit ‘in-person’ and local instructors.

    And finally, if you have decided to ‘opt out’ of the busyness of modern life by moving to the countryside; you can still train with an instructor that you enjoy. Not just having to make do with whoever is willing to travel to you!

    Virtual horse riding lessons mean that you still have regular lessons, expert guidance, personalized feedback, and goal-oriented training without the hassle of travel or scheduling conflicts. Virtual lessons will allow you to work on improving your skills while training your horse. And this is all done in your own arena – you’re no longer limited by geography!

    1. Flexibility to Fit Your Lifestyle

    Regardless of what season you’re in, there’s always the potential for life to get busy. So often, riders feel teh ‘squeeze’ of their time – and it’s their in-person horse riding lessons that are sacrificed.

    Virtual horse riding lessons give you the flexibility to make your private lessons work with your busy schedule. Riding complements your lifestyle – rather than competes with everything else! 

    And, if you join a program like Connection, the additional video reviews you receive between lessons will help you to continue to take action. Even when things feel hectic or rushed in your life. This makes virtual lessons perfect for riders who have full-time jobs, family responsibilites, or other commitments but are still eager to make progress in the saddle.

    2. Personalized, Real-Time Feedback

    I’m going to be honest, I wondered about how well I could connect with riders through the technology. You see, I’m very must an ‘in-person’ type of a person. Meaning that I’m not a fan of chatting on the phone, over email, etc. But get me in person, and then you will get to know me! I had always attributed the special relationships I have formed over the years with riders to this.

    I was pleasantly surprised. Training riders via technology felt just as good! I now have the same amazing relationships with riders from all over the globe who I meet with weekly or fortnightly for lessons.

    You see, through the power of video and real-time conversations, virtual lessons really do provide a ‘bubble’ effect experience. Just like the arena does when I am working ‘in real life’. The rider can hear and speak to me. I can see and hear the rider… The camera follows them around. It’s like magic!

    It often feels like I am right there beside them, in teh arena, focusing solely on helping them to improve their riding and work with their horse.

    3. Review and Reflect

    With virtual lessons, each session is recorded.  After the lessons, I send all of my riders the full recording so that they can watch back over and see how they rode for themselves. They also then get to put the guidance I offer during the lesson with the visuals of what they were doing in the saddle at that point.

    Over time, they can then compare past lessons with recent ones to see how far they’ve come. If you sign up for virtual horse riding lessons, this is a game changer.  And with ongoing support, accountability, and encouragement, you will continue to move forward – even when the going gets tough.

    4. Global Access to Expertise

    Finally, the ‘Captain Obvious’ for virtual lessons; having a whole world of instructors to choose from! Truly one of the greatest benefits of virtual horse riding lessons is the opportunity to connect with trainers who are not local to you.

    You’re no longer limited to the local lineup; now you can access some of the best instructors and trainers in the world.

    This is especially useful if you’ve been looking for ways to try something new with your horse, maybe a discipline. Or to try new methods or ideas when it comes to training and riding.

    More Information on Virtual Lessons

    If all of this sounds like something that might suit you, pop your details in HERE
    . This way I can send you more information on how to get going with virtual lessons. The equipment, how the lessons work, what you need and don’t need, etc.

    With a few simple, key investments in the right equipment and software, you can begin enjoying instruction in your own arena within a few days! All the information is available by entering your details HERE

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Give Virtual Lessons a Go…

    Right now, you can purchase a single once-off virtual horse riding lesson with me. We will get to connect initially via a private chat. I will create a short video review for you of a previous but recent video of you riding your horse. Then we will create a time that suits you to meet in your arena – virtually.

    After the lesson, I’ll send you the recording with some ‘homework’ for you to work on over the coming weeks and months. Whether you’re aiming to perfect your position, work on your horse’s responsiveness, or simply gain confidence in the saddle, our once-off virtual lesson will help.

    Then, if you want to go further, we can work together Inside of Connection where you’ll have access to:

        • Virtual Private Real-Time Horse Riding Lessons every month
        • Personalized feedback between lessons with video reviews
        • Private 1-to-1 Chat to hold you accountable and keep you moving
        • Expert guidance to help you troubleshoot challenges as they arise.
        • And most importantly, the flexibility to train when and where it works best for you!

    You don’t have to feel stuck in your riding or let distance be a roadblock. With virtual horse riding lessons, we can work together to ensure you keep moving forward—one ride at a time.

    If you’re ready to transform your riding and get the instruction, training, and accountability you want, check out the details and join me inside Connection here. Your next breakthrough is just a click away!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Other Resources for This Topic

    Connect with Lorna online:-

    Get Going in Your Riding:-

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

  • Reviewing Your Riding Videos Part 2 – Your Horse

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    Working alone without a regular instructor or trainer is tough. And often it’s the ‘little things’ that become the bigger sticking points for riders. Things like staying accountable, using feedback to make tweaks and changes, and creating a regular schedule filled with exercises and activities to move things forward. But all is not lost… It is still possible to move things forward – and reviewing your riding videos is a big part of that.

    I have already given you the 5 things to look for when reviewing your own riding and performance in a previous post HERE. Today I want to give you 5 things to focus on when reviewing your horse.

    Creating regular riding videos will allow you to be your own feedback person. The key is to simply document and make note of what’s happening – without attaching any judgement

    Your Horse is Not You…

    So often, as riders, we can fall into the trap of ‘seeing’ our horse and our own body as 1 when watching videos of our riding. And yes, the idea is that you are moving and working together as 1. However, in order to make that happen, each individual must first become good at their part of the work. And that requires you to separate the reviewing.

    Review yourself first and then turn your attention to your horse. This way you will get a clearer overall picture of whats going on and what needs work individually for you both.

    Here are the things to focus on initially when reviewing your horse:-

    a) Working & Thinking ‘Forward’

    The basics of basics – forwardness. And yet, so often this absolutely essential key ingredient is missing from the work. Your horse MUST be both thinking and working forward when you are working together. This will show up in how he moves and how attentive he is.

    If your horse is lacking forwardness, everything else will fall flat. So take the time to assess this first – and then move on from there.

    There is a training HERE on this topic called “4 Actions to Maintain ‘Forward’ in Your Riding”.

    b) Focus & Concentration

    My next point to look for when reviewing videos of your horse working is to notice how ‘present’ he is with you in the arena or space. Does he seem to want to be there? Or is he giving definite vibes of wanting to be somewhere else? Maybe back at the stables (he might keep drifting towards the gate), or with his friends in the paddock (he is looking and calling for them).

    Keep in mind that concentration may we weak initially if your horse is young, green, or coming back into work after a break. It can be strengthened and developed with time

    There is a training HERE on this topic called “Why Improving Your Accuracy Will Improve Your Engagement in Your Riding “.

    c) Responsiveness

    Responsiveness is key for both you and your horse to work together. When you ask a question, he must respond. And, for the most part, this happens. What I think you should focus on is how prompt the response is from your horse towards your question…

    Do you ask, ask, ask, ask, and on the next go he ‘might’ respond to your question? If so, responsiveness is definitely something that needs work for you both!

    And keep in mind that responsiveness is usually a rider issue – so this may line up with what you’ve noticed about your riding from your review on yourself as well…

    There is a training HERE on this topic called “Improving Your Horses General Responsiveness”.

    d) Rhythm & Tempo

    When looking at the rhythm and tempo, you can actually assess relaxation as well. Neither rhythm nor relaxation can exist for any length of time without each other. You’ll probably notice that your horse has a rhythm – horses are generally rhythmic by nature. However, it’s the quality of the rhythm that your focus will zone in on. And how well your horse can maintain the rhythm when asked different questions or doing something ‘new’.

    The goal for rhythm is to have clarity and definition within each stride. How defined are your horses beats within each gait? And how often are they repeating? Are you happy with the tempo?

    There is a training HERE on this topic called ” Why Not All Rhythm is Equal in Riding”.

    e) Suppleness – Bending (or the lack thereof)

    As you know well, suppleness is another essential when it comes to your horse’s way of going. And, again, just like everything else, our own challenges as riders can have a big impact on this. Is your horse ‘kinked’ or braced the wrong way through turns, bends, and corners? Is he falling in or falling out? How about simple flexion through the jaw, poll, and neck?

    What I would look for here is how well he can bend, flex, or simply flow with the curve of the line that he’s being asked to ride. Any rigidness, bracing, working against, or ‘wrong’ flexion or bend is where you can start addressing the issues.

    There is a training HERE on this topic called “How Flexion Can Transform Your Riding “.

    Reviewing Your Riding Videos

    By investing time watching and taking notes on regular videos of you and your horse working together, you can absolutely move both of your training forward. Even if you don’t have a regular instructor, coach, or trainer.

          • Learn how to set your videos up for the best results HERE
          • And learn how to assess your riding in your videos HERE

    All it takes is consistency, non-judgement, and your time. Then take what you have identified and create a plan to begin working on it over the coming weeks and months.

    If you would like help in your riding, I offer virtual lessons for riders. We will train together from the comfort of your own arena. You can find all the details HERE and HERE.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Episodes to Help with this Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Reviewing Your Riding Videos Part 1 – You the Rider…

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    When you’re working alone without a regular trainer or instructor, you must begin to create ways for self-review. Video is, hands down, the best way to do this, especially if your camera follows you. Automated motion tracking software makes this an affordable possibility for many riders now. But even if you don’t have this technology, you can still simply use your phone, hit record, and ride.

    By creating regular riding videos where you are asking similar questions, riding similar movements, and reviewing them consistently, you create your own feedback. Similar to what a trainer or instructor would do in the arena. 

    However, the key to making this technique work for you is to figure out what to look for. Just watching the videos is not enough.  Many riders get caught up in simply looking at the video passively. Imagine if your instructor did that in the arena when working together?! I doubt that you would learn a whole lot, improve, or be very happy with the outcome! If you’re reviewing your own riding videos, you need to act like your instructor or trainer.

    Look for specific things, for both you and your horse. And do this without judgment or criticism. In fact, you want to actually ‘find’ areas to improve, change, or clean up. Just like an instructor or trainer would… 

    1. Assessing Yourself – The Rider

    Start with what you can truly change or establish more control over; yourself and your own body! When you are reviewing, begin by looking at these key areas in your riding and taking notes on how well you did.

    a) Position & Posture

    So often, when things are not going to plan or do not happen as smoothly or effortlessly as we would like, the issue lies in our posture and position. Assess your lines. There’s the ‘head, shoulder, hip, heel’ line. And also the ‘elbow, wrist, thumb, rein, bit’ line. Are they aligned throughout the ride?

    Or are you:-

        • Tipping (hips, shoulders, or hands usually)
        • Swinging (lower leg & heel)
        • Crunching up (chest and upper body)
        • Gathering up (thighs and knees)
        • Gripping (knees)

    Pay attention to where the alignment is not as good as you would like and notice patterns. This is where you can begin your work the next time you ride. You can find a past episode of the podcast on this topic HERE

    b) Self-Carriage (esp. through Transitions)

    This also falls in under posture, but it is such a chronic issue for so many riders, that I want to give it a point of its own!  Collapsing before, during, or after transitions is a big issue. It is something that will affect both the gait before the transition, the transition itself, and how well your horse works in the ‘new’ gait as well.

    Focus on maintaining your alignment as you prepare the transition, ride the transition, and then allow into the new gait or after the transition. Your job is to set it up and then get out of your horses way to actually do what you’ve asked him to do… 

    There is a past episode of the podcast on this topic HERE

    c) Weight Distribution

    This one sounds a little odd, however, it is VITALLY important to both notice and tweak if and when necessary. Start by looking at what your seat (your bum) is doing when you ride through corners, bends, and turns. Is there a shift to one side or the other? Often you will see your seat ‘slide’ a little to the outside of the saddle… And, because of this, you’ll then usually see that one shoulder is dipping lower than the other to compensate!

    Imagine there is a line from the middle of the cantle to the middle of the pommel of your seat. Ideally, your seatbones should remain fairly consistent in being an equal distance from that line. If one gets closer or further, you’ve shifted your weight…

    You can find a past episode on this topic HERE

    d) Consistency of Legs, Shoulders, and Hands

    Now, this one is a little confusing – simply because it will sound like I’m contradicting myself in the next point. But hold on a moment… Consistent does not mean ‘stiff’ or ‘stationary’. It simply means that those parts are not waving about, high-fiving every passing tree, upright, or post!  And with regards to your hands; keep in mind that. you’re riding – not directing air traffic…

    Another thing to look at when it comes to consistency through your reins is how often you lengthen and shorten your reins… Are you guilty of ‘fiddling’? Consistency is essential for contact – no piano fingers ;) 

    You can find a previous episode on this topic HERE

    e) Moving with the Horse; Seat & Hands

    And just as parts of your body perform better when ‘consistent’, other parts must move with your horse to enable you both to move forward freely and in flow. Your seat and hands must remain supple and follow the lead of your horse. And, yes, I have said that your hands must be consistent. To be consistent and to follow may seem to contradict each other.

    However, all I mean is that you are not conducting an orchestra with hands flying all over the place – instead rather following your horses movement through steady consistent contact. 

    There is a previous episode on this topic HERE

    Reviewing Your Riding Videos

    Paying attention to all of these little things individually at the beginning will allow you to start having a good feel for what you can begin working on changing in the longer term. I do suggest doing regular reviews in order to really get the most out of this. However, even a once-off review will bring up a lot of different points to work on.

        • Learn how to set your videos up for the best results HERE
        • And learn how to assess your horse in your riding videos HERE

    And if you would like to get my eyes on your riding, lunging, or groundwork videos, all the details for a single private virtual lesson (including a video review) are HERE.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Episodes to Help with this Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Using Video as a Tool for Your Training

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    If you are training your horse or riding alone, the ability to create videos of you and your horse working together is invaluable. However, any old videos won’t do.

    With a few small adjustments, the quality of the videos you capture can make your reviewing process a lot easier.

    Today I want to give you 5 simple and actionable tips to create better videos of your riding so that you can begin adding video reviews to your training process.

    Choose Your Camera & Software

    You don’t need a fancy camera to begin taking useful videos of your riding. For most riders, their smartphone will have a good enough camera to do the job. However, you can also use a traditional camera.  Once you’ve decided what camera to use, the next decision will be to have it stationary at one point in your arena… Or to invest in some form of motion-tracking software.

    While a stationary camera will do the job, having a camera track you as you move around the arena can be a game changer… It allows you to focus on your riding – rather than worrying if you’re in the shot or not!

    I suggest Pivo for the motion tracking software (*this is an affiliate link) and if you use coupon DailyStrides at checkout you’ll receive 10% off your purchase.

    Get Strategic with the Position of Your Camera

    I’m going to suggest placing the camera at a higher vantage point if possible than just resting on the ground. If using the stationary method, often a fencing post, mounting block or tripod will work well. This will allow you to capture a clear and wide-angled view of the arena.

    The goal is to ensure that your stationary camera covers the area where you’ll spend the majority of your time when working with your horse, and that allows you to capture different perspectives.

    If using some form of motion tracking software, I suggest placing the tripod close to the centre of the arena, X, but slightly off to one side so as not to block the centre line. I have noticed that if you ride too close to the camera when using the motion tracking software, it can lose you, so be aware of that when positioning your camera.

    Check Lighting and Weather Conditions

    Natural light is always best, so try to record during the day if possible. Obviously if you can’t, you will have to make do with floodlights. But just be aware that the shadows can often ‘hide’ certain things! The same goes for harsh shadows or riding towards direct sunlight…  Rain is a no-no for your equipment, so avoid trying to video then. Wind can also cause issues or be a little risky depending on what surrounds your riding space.

    Choosing a fair, calm, and dry day to video will allow you to not only get the best visual results, but also to capture the audio. And this can be helpful if you ‘talk’ to yourself on the video to point out certain things.

    Use Markers for Accuracy & Consistency

    I am a BIG fan of using markers when working with our horses. They truly help us be more accountable. The issue is that so many riders associate them with dressage. And they feel that because their goal is not dressage-related, markers are not for them… WRONG!

    You can place cones or home-made markers at key points around the arena. They can help you to be consistent with the size, shape, and quality of different movements.

    Setting up something to mark the centre line is also useful, especially when assessing straightness and transitions without any help from the boundaries.

    Test Your Equipment Before You Begin!

    Now this might sound like Captain Obvious. However, I know so many riders who thought that they captured a great training session on video. Only to find that either it wasn’t recording or that the area they were working was out of the shot!

    Do a short test video before you dive into the ‘real work’ to make sure that it captures what you’re looking for; specific angles or movements, etc.

    Have a Plan for Your Work!

    Don’t waste your time wandering aimlessly around the arena. To get the most out of this method, a plan is necessary. Think about a specific goal that you’re working towards, maybe smoother transitions, increased responsiveness, improving your posture or position, etc. This way you can review the video later just like a riding instructor would do if in the arena with you at the time.

    Make time to do your review within the follow 24 to 48 hours. This way the session will still be fresh and you can use this to gain more insight into how things played out.

    Capturing Useful Videos of Your Riding

    This week, make time to follow these steps and begin documenting your journey as a rider. Remember, this will work for riding, lunging, groundwork, and other types and methods to interact with your horse.

    The key is to be consistent about capturing the videos and then reviewing them.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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