Video to Improve Your Riding & Training When Working Alone

Video to Improve Your Riding & Training When Working Alone

Video to Improve Your Riding & Training When Working Alone

Planning, Re-Schooling, Returning to Riding, Rider Aids, Schooling, Training Alone

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. It’s your phone! And starting today, it’s going to completely change how you approach your solo rides.

Here’s exactly how you can start using your phone and video to begin transforming your riding and training sessions today. Even if you’re on your own; no instructor, trainer, or coach the majority of the time.

Ride Better When Someone’s Watching…

I bet you’ve felt it. You notice someone standing at the side of the arena or field, watching you ride. You immediately straighten up, sharpen your focus, and ride with greater intention. Especially if that someone is a person who you know is assessing your riding! It’s all part of being human. Most of us will try to do better when we’re observed. And riders are no different :)

But when riding alone, you might not be as present and aware as you could be…  which you can turn around when you start using video in your riding

When we’re alone, we can let things slip a little. Especially if we’re not feeling inspired or motivated to do our best. Your posture might ‘droop’ a little! Or your circles drift off into weird egg shapes. Whether or not you’ll ride clean, light, and balanced transitions feels a bit like rolling the dice!

But here’s the thing: your phone’s camera can offer that same powerful accountability – without the stress of being judged by someone else… 

All you need is a slight mindset shift. You know, instead of seeing your phone as just ‘your phone… Start thinking of it as ‘Future You’, watching quietly from the sidelines. Every time you glance over, let yourself remember:  “Oh, my trainer’s watching – Hey there Future Me!” Trust me, this simple practice can be enough to begin shifting so many things in your riding .

Ride like you’re being watched… Because you are. And using video, it’s by your future self!

My Own Experience

Just last weekend, I was in the arena playing with my new training partner – my Pivo… And, looking back on the recording was fascinating. While I was ‘riding’, it all looked okay. Obviously, this was when I knew that my trusty little ‘Training Partner’ was following me. I showed up as I wanted. More attention to detail. More thoughtful in what I was doing and how…

This contrasted DRAMATICALLY with the times when we were playing with the settings and ‘figuring’ it all out… Oh my goodness, how my riding ‘transformed’! I was ‘Slouchy Mac Sloucherson’! It was so uncomfortable to watch!

But that is the key, right? If we’re only doing ‘all of the things’ half of the time or only on certain occasions when we ride.. Well, it stands to reason that we’re only going to get half of the results, right?! I learned a VERY valuable lesson. Ride how I ‘KNOW’ I should ride – all of the time. Not just when being watched or videoed!

The key lesson from my Pivo experience? My phone, coupled with Pivo, isn’t just a gadget; it’s a training partner, holding me accountable every single ride with my Future Self.

If you’d like to have your own little training partner experience, grab my free Ride & Review guided audio & review checklist BY CLICKING HERE  And remember, if you decide to upgrade your setup like I did, use the code DAILYSTRIDES at checkout to get 10% off your own Pivo.

Confirmation Bias & Riding

Here’s something that doesn’t land well for most of us; as riders, we often fool ourselves. A lot!  We naturally see what we expect or ‘want’ to see. We seek out what we already believe. Instead of what’s really happening. This is called confirmation bias, and without visual evidence to the contrary, these assumptions become your reality.

Video is one of the best ways to begin noticing where you’re doing this in your riding… You get to see what’s going on – and what led up to it..

Many riders will complain about their horse being fussy with the contact. And, true to form, as they ride along, their horse will become a little less than ‘happy’ with the contact.  But when they watch the video back, the truth (which can sometimes sting a bit) becomes crystal clear. Often, it’s not the horse! The horse is simply responding to the rider…!

Or maybe you ‘know’ your horse loses balance in the canter transition.  But then the video reveals you’re actually throwing yourself a little forward each time. Not the feedback you wanted, but also, brilliant! Now you actually know what to begin working on :)

Video feedback breaks through this bias, providing clear evidence of what’s really happening. Suddenly, you see the whole picture, identifying the real root causes behind your riding struggles.

Create a “Progress Bank”…

So, hopefully you’re feeling game to begin recording more video of yourself when you ride now.  And when you start consistently filming short segments of your rides, you get to begin building a bank. A bank of visual evidence, proof of progress.

Even if your improvements feel tiny day-to-day, video doesn’t lie. Over time, you’ll see exactly how far you’ve come – especially if you’re using it strategic and you’re honest with yourself.

Nothing beats the feeling of going back a few months and thinking:  “Wow, my lower leg was so unsteady then! Look at me now!” Or “Look at how consistent the contact is now!” Maybe even the pleasure of watching you and your horse effortlessly step into a balanced and light canter.

Make this as easy as possible for yourself to do. Focus on short, specific videos of certain things. 5 minutes. Then clearly label each video with the date and what you’re working on. Trust me, future-you will thank present-you!

Video as a Feedback Loop

Here’s exactly how you turn video into your best riding buddy (it’s easy, I promise!):

        1. Film: A quick 3-5 minute video of you riding while being focused and intentional
        2. Reflect: Immediately jot down or voice-note how you thought it went
        3. Review: Watch the video when you have time; was your perception accurate?
        4. Act: Pick one thing from the video that you’ll improve next time
        5. Repeat: Keep this loop rolling; it’s a guaranteed path to progress

Remember, you’re recording or taking the video so that your Future Self can watch it over. It’s for you, not for the world (although you can do that as well if you want!). 

So, all of this sounds good, but you still feel unsure about exactly what to look for? I’ve got you covered.  I’ve created something special (and totally free) to help you: a.  Ride & Review guided audio and printable progress checklist CLICK HERE.  It’s basically me in your ear for 10 minutes, guiding you through a structured ride while your phone films you. Afterward, the simple checklist makes reviewing your video clear and stress-free.

Making Video Even Easier (and Better!)

Once you see the undeniable benefits of regular video feedback, you might naturally want to upgrade your setup. A dedicated auto-tracking device like Pivo makes filming easier, providing hands-free tracking and clear, reliable footage every ride.

Maybe you’re thinking, “This sounds great, but stopping and starting the camera sounds like a giant pain,”… I agree, which is why I HIGHLY recommend investing in a Pivo. 

It is a no-brainer, brilliant upgrade. A dedicated tracking device that will automatically follow you around the arena as you ride. No hassle, no awkward pauses, and no missing half your ride because you ‘vanished’ into a corner!

And there is a remote control to hit record or pause as you want :)  It’s just you, your horse, and the Pivo that actually keeps up with the two of you as you work in the arena!

Thinking about making videoing your rides easier and smoother? If you’re leaning towards getting a Pivo, and you know I’m a huge fan! Make sure to use my special code DAILYSTRIDES at checkout. You’ll instantly get 10% off your order, making it an even easier decision. It’s just my way of helping you get started and thanking you for being part of our community

Take Action Today…

The big part of all this is that you have to get out there and do the work! And even if you don’t have your Pivo yet ;) you can still make a plan. Simply starting today with what you already have—your smartphone. Here’s your challenge: Film yourself riding for just two minutes doing something specific. A transition, circle, or even just your trot rhythm.

Then, watch it back later today and pick just ONE thing you’ll improve next time. Tomorrow, film again. And notice the difference!

If you do just this one simple thing, I guarantee you’ll have at least one big ‘aha’ moment that immediately makes your riding better. Get out there today and begin creating your ‘progress bank’ of video.

Happy Riding
Lorna

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