Virtual Riding Lessons: How to Set Up & Succeed With Remote Coaching

Virtual Riding Lessons: How to Set Up & Succeed With Remote Coaching

Virtual Riding Lessons: How to Set Up & Succeed With Remote Coaching

Planning, Riding, Training Alone

So, you’re thinking about trying virtual riding lessons… Maybe you’ve heard other riders talk about how convenient they are. Perhaps there aren’t any instructors or trainers that you align with in your area or location. Or maybe you’ve got a Pivo sitting in a box somewhere, quietly judging you ;) You’re not alone, so stop that panic now!

Whatever the reason, I’m going to assume that you’re here because you’re curious, a little unsure, and ready to make progress in your riding… Even if your instructor or trainer isn’t standing in the arena with you. 

And you’re in exactly the right place.  In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians, I want to help you understand how easy it is to get started with virtual riding lessons. But also how to get the most out of your lessons, so that they become something that will help you and your horse make the progress you want together in your riding.

You see, for years now I’ve worked with riders from all over the world online, and later through virtual lessons. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful they can be, if and when done right.  And this is not about the instructor’s capabilities. But more about laying a solid foundation that will support both you, the rider, and your future virtual coach or trainer.

So let’s dive into what makes virtual horse riding lessons work. And how you can get the most from your very first session – or level up if you’ve already started.

Step 1: Get Clear on Where You’re Going

Do you know the very first conversation I have with ‘in-person’ riders is usually all about? Their vision… What they want to achieve with their horse and in their riding. And this is often the reason virtual riding lessons fail… Riders show up with no vision. No clear goal. Just “I want to ride better.” Which is a lovely sentiment, but not a strategy.

If you don’t know what you’re working toward, your virtual instructor or trainer won’t either. And that’s when things start to feel vague, repetitive, or just plain frustrating!

So, before you schedule your first virtual lesson, spend some time finding out more about what you REALLY want to achieve and what has shaped your riding journey up to this point… The answers to these questions will not only help you, but also your future virtual instructor or coach.

        • Where am I right now in my riding journey; mentally, physically, emotionally?
        • Where would I love to be in 3 months?
        • What about 6 months?
        • What’s currently standing in the way; skill, confidence, consistency?
        • What kind of support helps me grow; technical, encouraging, or visual?

These questions give your coach the information they need to truly meet you where you are. They also give you a clear benchmark to track progress against. And a destination point to aim towards. All of which is especially useful when you’re in the ‘thick of it’ in your training journey.

I’ve put these reflection prompts and a whole lot more into a free, printable Virtual Lessons Setup Guide. They’re gold, and you can get the full guide HERE

Step 2: Find the Right Coach for You

Here is something that might blow your mind. Especially if you initially learned to ride when riders were really and truly limited to working with whoever you could physically connect with!  So… What if… Not every instructor is a fit for every rider!  And that’s not a failure. It’s a fact. This can be due to disciplines, methods, beliefs, and often just a clash of personalities!

Another thing to keep in mind is that just because someone teaches well in person, it doesn’t mean they’ll be your ideal trainer remotely. Communication, tone, pace, feedback style… It all matters more when there’s a screen between you.

So, before you dive into working with the first virtual instructor you come across online (or in person), I think that, again, it’s worth your while understanding what you want and need from the arrangement… Here’s a quick alignment checklist:

        • Do they understand your goals and meet you at your level?
        • Do they explain things in a way that makes sense to you?
        • Do you feel both supported and challenged?
        • Do they give you next steps to work on between sessions?
        • Do you leave the lesson feeling energised, not defeated?
        • Do they reschedule lessons that you cannot make (due to weather or other situations)?

And don’t be afraid to interview potential future virtual instructors. Watch a few clips of them training, join one of their virtual or internet trainings, send them a voice note, or have a short intro chat before booking. Chemistry really does matter, both in-person and when working together on virtual riding lessons.

And, like I said at the top, one of the advantages of working virtually is that with virtual riding lessons, you’re no longer limited by geography!  You can work with the person who gets you. Not just the one who lives closest :)

Again, I have a full list of different considerations you can use to help you both narrow down and find the right instructor to get started on your virtual lessons journey with over in the Virtual Lessons Setup Guide HERE

Step 3: The Setup Matters (More Than You Think)

Okay, so you’ve identified a trainer or coach that you’re keen to work with. What’s next? Well, unfortunately, so many riders don’t get past this point in their journey into virtual riding lessons. Because, here’s the part that trips so many riders up: the tech setup.  And it’s not because it’s super complicated.

It’s because they don’t invest a little time in testing it all ahead of time! Which results in panic when something goes for a bit of a ball – mid-session!

Let’s simplify this.  I personally believe that, right now, one of the best ways to make virtual horse riding lessons happen for you is through using a Pivo. It’s a device that, using the camera on your phone, allows your virtual coach to literally track and follow you around the arena.

And when you’re training through your Pivo there are no ‘blind spots’, missed movements, or muffled communication. Just clear, consistent video tracking, coupled with excellent audio and communication. 

Useful Set-Up & Technical Tips

Okay, so from being on the ‘receiving’ end of virtual lessons through a Pivo for a while now, I’ve found there are a few specific things I would suggest you put into practice for your first (or next) virtual riding lesson.

        • Work in a demarcated area. If you don’t have an ‘arena’, create one using simple markers (like cones or groundpoles), and even letters or numbers.
        • For most lessons, I recommend placing the camera between the quarter line and the centre line, about 3 to 5 meters from X (or the line between E and B if working in a traditional arena
        • If focusing specifically on dressage, you can also experiment with placing the camera at C for most sessions (although I highly recommend testing the range of your earbuds/headset first…
        • Or, if working on straightness, lateral work, or jumping, depending on the exercise, the quarter line or just off the long side can be useful… This will really depend on what you are doing, your approach, line, etc.
        • Make sure that you are set up for ‘horse tracking’. There are currently two different settings for this, basic and advanced, so choose what will suit you best depending on the work you will be doing during the lesson.
        • Use Bluetooth earbuds, which will pair with your phone, not your Pivo device. You can also use the Pivo headphones or microphone (again, paired with your phone).
        • Alternatively, you can simply record your video without sound, and then have your instructor edit it as a separate video (a video review).

Some other useful nuggets I’ve discovered from working with riders from all over the globe through their Pivo are:-

        • Bring a battery pack; your phone might drain fast
        • Make sure, if you’re using wireless earbuds, that they are fully charged
        • Update your Pivo+ app and do a quick restart beforehand
        • Test your Wi-Fi or hotspot strength in your arena – especially if your weather is a little ‘otherwise’!

What Happens if It Rains?

And yes… weather matters (as I write this now, I’m home in Ireland, and it is BUCKETING ).  So what can you do if it’s raining? Well short of asking some lovely person to stand in the arena with you, protecting your phone and Pivo with an umbrella… You can rather:-

You can rather:-

        • Record short clips during clear spells and send them to your trainer for a video review
        • Do groundwork in an undercover area (like a shed, barn aisle, or later stable) and focus on the basics; flexion, rhythm, straightness, etc.
        • If you can keep your equipment covered, but you are out in the open, don’t ride with the mic, etc. Rather, send the video to your trainer with a quick run down on what you were trying to achieve or work on, and, again, request a video review
        • Film from under cover if needed – Pivo can still track from a shed, close by window, or barn opening

Remember, you do not need a perfect 30-minute video every time. Progress happens in moments. Snippets. Intentional work, that when it’s put together, creates a story. And yes, it might not be ‘live’, but often the video reviews can be the thing that will complement your regular lessons and move you forward. Also, with the remote control that comes with the Pivo, you can 100% make this happen as you work with your horse. No climbing on and off to hit start or stop :)

Step 4: Do the Work Between Virtual Riding Lessons

Now, if you’ve been working and riding horses for any length of time, you probably realise that to really get the most out of lessons, your commitment must continue long after you dismount. And, when using virtual riding lessons as part of your training program, this is where they can go from simply “interesting” to “life-changing.”

Remember, your coach or instructor is your guide, but it’s you who turns that guidance into progress. You have to do the work if you want to see the transformation in your riding and training. 

And I really do feel that this is where virtual horse riding lessons come into their own. You can use the unique benefits of training online to boost your progress and get even more from each lesson. So between sessions, try:

        • Watching your Pivo clips back and noting what you see
        • Writing down 3 takeaways or “next rides” questions
        • Recording a short solo schooling clip for your trainer (or yourself)
        • Journaling about how your horse felt, how you felt, and what you noticed

And if you’re not sure what to work on?  That’s where audio riding lessons come in. I created Daily Strides Premium for exactly this reason. To help you stay focused, confident, and consistent between lessons, even when riding alone.  And yes, Daily Strides Premium works beautifully alongside most trainers.

It’s not about choosing one over the other. It’s about creating a support system that actually moves you forward.

Want Help Getting Started?

This episode is packed, I know. So to make things simple, I’ve put everything together in one place. The Virtual Lesson Setup Guide is 100% free and available for you to download today. Inside you’ll get:-

        • Rider goal-setting journal prompts
        • Coach alignment checklist
        • Pivo setup & weather workarounds
        • Reflection pages
        • PLUS a free week of guided audio riding lessons from Daily Strides Premium to kickstart your routine

All you have to do is pop your email in  HERE and I’ll send it straight to your inbox for you to download, print off, and use. I firmly believe that your virtual lessons shouldn’t just be “good enough.”  They should be transformational.

Final Thoughts…

Your arena can be a powerful place…  ‘If’ you set it up to be that for you and your horse!  Even with no instructor in sight.  Or it’s raining… You’re feeling tired, or you are working alone and feeling like a newbie to all of the things!
With the right prep, the right support, and the right virtual trainer, you can create consistent, confident, and connected progress from almost anywhere!

Happy Riding
Lorna

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