Instant gratification. It can be tempting to take a shortcut if it means you get the quick result. But shortcuts in your riding rarely have long-term benefits. Riding is one of those beautiful (and sometimes frustrating) journeys where the lasting results are usually anything but instant! It takes time, patience, and a good dash of humility. For most riders, the…
Have you ever noticed how you instantly start riding better the minute you realize someone’s watching? Your posture improves, you become more precise with your aids… And suddenly there’s a whole lot more attention to detail! Now imagine having that same benefit, even when you’re riding completely alone… Good news: your new training partner is already sitting in your pocket.…
There’s a moment in every rider’s journey, whether you’ve just started learning to ride, or you’re returning after a break, when you suddenly become very aware of everything that’s not quite right… Maybe your leg moves too much. Or you bounce in the saddle. Perhaps you struggle with consistency with your reins – they’re either too long or too tight.…
There is always a look of pure satisfaction on a rider’s face when they finally ‘get’ the rising trot! You know, they stop bouncing about and can actually work with the horse, in rhythm. And that is an important stepping stone for all riders. More than likely, when you were first learning how to ride the trot, your instructor taught…
Do your hands sometimes seem like they develop a mind of their own when you’re riding? You tell them to stay quiet, steady, and soft… But they just seem committed to waving about. In fact, they feel miles away from being the ‘steady hands’ that you want as a rider! Trust me, you’re not alone! Steady hands are a sore…
Have you ever glanced down mid-trot or canter and seen your lower leg doing a full-on windscreen wiper impression? You’re not alone. I see this all the time. Novice riders trying to figure out how to stop that swinging lower leg from distracting their horse (and them!). The issue is that so often, trying to ‘fix’ your lower leg won’t…
