Have you ever caught yourself mid-ride, wondering, “Wait, what am I even doing right now?” You’re trotting along and suddenly realise your reins have slipped, your heels are up, or you’re staring at your horse’s neck. Riding on autopilot isn’t a bad thing – if what’s running in the background is actually helping you. In fact, putting the right things onto autopilot can really transform your riding.
Because here’s the thing… You’re already riding on autopilot. The question is, what exactly is on your autopilot? Be honest, if I were to watch a short video of you riding today, and compare it to one from six months ago, would there be a positive change? Not just in your horse, but in you, the rider?
In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I want to walk you through the steps you can take to make sure that when you “zone out” in the saddle, the habits you fall back on are ones that are actually serving you. Not random things you picked up somewhere and stuck with because they “kinda worked”.
This is the same process I guide riders through inside Daily Strides Premium and my live trainings. It’s how you can begin to rewire your default riding behavior — so your autopilot becomes your greatest ally, not your biggest hurdle.
Step 1: Make It Easy
Look — changing a habit doesn’t always require a big overhaul. Often, it starts with something as simple as checking your setup. In fact, you could begin to transform your riding today if you paid closer attention to this… Do your gloves make it hard to feel the reins? Get a pair that actually grip. Are your reins smooth and slippery? Try ones with stops or rubber coating. Struggling to keep your heels down? Maybe your stirrups are too long. Riding on the cantle of the saddle every time? Try adjusting your stirrup length first.
So many riders are struggling in the saddle simply because they haven’t made it easy for themselves to succeed
Make it easier to do the right thing. So much of good riding is about removing resistance to good habits.
Your Action Step:
Look at your most persistent issue. What’s one small change you can make today to support a better habit? Tweak it. Set yourself up for success.
Step 2: Use Checkpoints
Changing habits isn’t just about doing something new — it’s about remembering to do it. That’s where checkpoints come in. Checkpoints are anything in your riding environment that you can associate with a quick check-in. Think floodlights, poles, fence posts, shadows, jump uprights, and the corner letters in your arena.
You already ride past the same things every day. Start using them to your advantage
Every time you pass your chosen checkpoint, do a quick scan: How are your hands? Your seat? Your posture? Are you still riding with intention? The more consistent you are with these mini check-ins, the faster your good habits will become automatic.
Your Action Step:
Pick 2–3 things you ride past consistently and assign a check-in to each one. Make it simple. Make it repeatable.
Step 3: Stack Your Habits
This idea became popular through James Clear and Atomic Habits, but I’ve been teaching it to riders for years. You already do things in your ride on autopilot. Things like warming up, cooling down, checking the time, or walking to the mounting block. Why not use those moments to also check in on a new habit you want to develop? Trust me, to transform your riding, you need to pay attention to these every day things.
You’re already doing some things automatically. Why not build better habits on top of them?
For example, during your warm-up walk, focus on aligning your posture. During your cool-down, stretch your legs and check your rein length. Every time you check your watch, scan your hand position. Simple, low-effort ways to upgrade your riding with zero extra time required.
Your Action Step:
Choose one routine you already have in place and attach a new habit to it. Start there and build.
Step 4: Track & Reward
Progress isn’t always obvious. That’s why tracking it matters. You need a way to see your improvement over time — even if it’s slow. I recommend using a riding journal to note what went well, what you worked on, and what you’re aiming for.
We don’t celebrate our progress nearly enough in the saddle. That needs to change
Tracking also helps you know when you deserve a reward. Not a pat on the back, though those help! I’m talking about something that motivates you. It might be a nice hack out, a new piece of tack, or a peaceful morning hike. You decide.
Your Action Step:
Start a riding journal and use it regularly. Celebrate the small wins. Give yourself a reward when you earn it.
Step 5: Consistency, Not Perfection
Most riders give up on new habits because they expect perfection. That’s not how this works. Start small. Choose one habit. One change. Focus on doing it more often than not. Perfection is unrealistic — especially in horse riding, where every moment is fluid and unpredictable.
Riding is rarely perfect — but it can be consistently better. Your riding will never be 100% perfect. That’s okay. What matters is that it’s consistently improving.
Your Action Step:
Pick one riding habit to focus on for the next two weeks. Just one. Work on it consistently, and notice how everything else begins to shift.
Transform Your Riding with Autopilot
You are already riding on autopilot. The question is: What habits have you programmed into it? Start small. Adjust your setup. Build in checkpoints. Stack new habits onto old ones. Track your wins. Stay consistent. This is how you reset your default behavior and actually enjoy the process along the way!
If you’re nodding along and thinking, yes — this is what I need, make sure you’re on the waitlist for my Returning to Riding program. I’ll be hosting a live training soon, and this is exactly what we’ll be diving into.
Happy Riding
Lorna
More Episodes on This Topic
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- Click Your Fingers Rule to Put Your Position on Autopilot in Your Riding
- Are you ‘Sitting There’? How to Know if You’re Stuck in Passenger Mode
- Back to Riding; Improve Your Seat, Hands, and Balance on Day 1
- Applying the Click Your Fingers Rule to Your Position While Riding
- Free Walking & Yoga Equestrian Fitness Challenge
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Online Training to Help Your Riding
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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