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
Similar Episodes to Help with this Topic
Online Training to Help Your Riding
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- Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons
- Pivo Motion Tracking Software (*affiliate link) use coupon DailyStrides for 10% off
- Daily Strides Premium
- Connection – Private Online Coaching for Equestrians
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Connect with Lorna online:-
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- Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
- Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191
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