What Your Videos Can Tell You (That You Won’t Feel in the Saddle)

What Your Videos Can Tell You (That You Won’t Feel in the Saddle)

What Your Videos Can Tell You (That You Won’t Feel in the Saddle)

Rider Aids, Training Alone, Wellbeing

Ever feel like you’re doing everything right in the saddle, and still your horse is still resistant, crooked, or just not quite “with” you?  What if the real issue isn’t your horse… But something you’re not seeing in yourself?  As riders, we spend so much time thinking about how our horse is moving, how he feels, whether he’s balanced, supple, soft, straight…

And yet, so often we completely forget about the other half of the team. Us. The rider. And how great an influence we have over our horses’ way of going.

We’ll happily book the physio, the chiropractor, or the saddle fitter for our horses. But what if the real issue in the saddle isn’t your horse’s crookedness, but yours?

This week, I want to invite you to look at your riding from a new angle, literally!  We’re diving into why video might be the key to discovering what’s really holding you and your horse back… And how you can begin figuring out if this is so on your very next ride.

Riding Is a Team Sport

I’ve been preaching this for YEARS now since I created the first 30-Day Rider Fitness Challenge back in 2016! Horse riding isn’t just about sitting pretty and steering. It’s an active partnership. It’s a physical and mental collaboration of your horse and you, working together.  And if you’ve been feeling frustrated about your horse being ‘wrong’. Maybe consistently crooked, resisting your aids, falling in or out, or struggling to strike off on the correct canter lead… And all regardless of how much training or schooling you put in… Well, there’s a good chance your body is influencing the issue!

And let’s be honest, this is not the easiest pill for riders to swallow. It can feel confronting to recognise that we might be the ones making things harder for our horses. Especially as we are, hopefully, all about making their work enjoyable and fun for them!

But rather than sticking your head in the sand and ignoring the issue, see this new awareness as a bit of an advantage. And when we add video, well, now you’ve got yourself a superpower!  

Video Doesn’t Lie.

Recently, I’ve begun to use video so much more in my groundwork and riding. And I can tell you firsthand that there’s something magical (and slightly terrifying) about watching a video of yourself working with your horse. I can now see so many things I’m doing – even while grooming – that can be improved, removed, or changed!

Video removes the guesswork. And, when riding, it puts a spotlight on things you often feel, but can’t quite put your finger on while in the saddle:

Maybe you see that you have one leg swinging while the other is still. Or your shoulders tend to collapse to one side. It could be uneven stirrup length (that looked fine before mounting)! A twist through your spine or pelvis. Your hands are not remaining ‘level’ or one is constantly turning (the dreaded knuckles on top!).

These small things, these asymmetries, add up. Your horse feels every single one of them. 

The most common thing I hear from riders after they’ve watched themselves back is’ “I had no idea I was doing that!”  Exactly!  And once you see it?  It can’t be unseen… And you now have the perfect opportunity to do something about it :)

Professionals for Horse & Rider

After working with riders from all over the world since 2013, and most have 1 thing in common: they’re happy to bring out every professional under the sun for their horse.  Massage therapists, chiropractors, saddle fitters, osteopaths… But when it comes to themselves?  Crickets.

Some things can happen in the body that all the yoga in the world just can’t ‘fix’! Just like there are things with your horse that all the suppleness and bending exercises in the world won’t ‘cure’.  This is when a professional is needed! 

And let me be REALLY honest with you here… If you’re crooked, tense, stiff, or compensating for an old injury, no amount of schooling is going to magically fix your horse when it shows up in him as well. This is because your horse is constantly reacting and adapting to you.

So if your horse feels uneven, resistant, or uncomfortable. And you’ve done your due diligence with equine professionals, time, and correct schooling… It might be time to check in on you, the rider!

Clues from Video That You Might Need Work

So, let’s say this is resonating and you’re thinking ‘Yes Lorna, there are a few things that I just can’t seem to get to the bottom of”… I want you to go out and get a video of you riding. Once you have your video, you’re going to review it.

Here are some things to look out for when you rewatch a riding video:

        • One stirrup looks longer, even though they were even at the start
        • The saddle consistently slips to one side
        • You collapse your ribs or shoulder on one rein
        • One leg swings while the other is stable
        • Your hands are uneven – or one bounces more than the other
        • You look like a handbrake through your lower back, blocking the energy

This is not a complete list; there are so many ways this shows up. Ride circles on both reins and straight lines. Include transitions between gaits. And then watch what you’re doing… Keep in mind that none of this means you’re a “bad rider.” It’s just information that you now have to improve how you can show up in the saddle for you and your horse.

We’ve all developed habits, compensations, and quirks over time, often from old injuries or daily life patterns. The point of the exercise is to identify yours so you can get professional help to ‘straighten things out’ ;) 

Include Saddle Fit As Well…

Another area I see riders disregard when it comes to how they are performing is how well the saddle fits. As riders, we can begin to almost obsess about how well our saddle fits our horse. And, yes, this is extremely important in the overall scheme of things.

But a well-fitting saddle is not just about your horse. Your saddle needs to fit and support you as well. The saddle needs to fit both the horse and you. A piece of equipment that supports you both as you work together. 

If the saddle is unbalanced, if the waist or twist is too wide, if the flap is too short or long for your leg length, or if the stirrup bars are in the wrong place for you… The result is a constant fight to achieve and maintain a good position and alignment. A saddle that doesn’t fit you well will cause the whole ride to feel ‘off’…  For you and your horse.

A good saddle should support both members of the team. If it fits your horse but throws you out of balance,  that is a big problem that will impact everything

How to Start Using Video Like a Coach

So the first hurdle many riders fall at when it comes to video is overcomplicating things… You don’t need anything fancy to start with. If you’ve got a smartphone, prop it up somewhere and try to ride within the frame. If you have a helper, ask them to hold the phone and follow you around for a bit… And if you have a Pivo – well, you’re on the pig’s back ;)

Set yourself a goal to record 5 minutes of a regular ride. No pressure, no fancy exercises. Just the normal day to day stuff you do when you’re working with your horse. 

Then set aside time where you can, without interruptions, watch it back. Try to ride with the camera in mind so that you can rewatch with a few different angles visible, if possible. And if you notice that you’re not ‘even Stephen’ as you ride. Well, that is a good sign that you might need some ‘work’ ;)

My suggestion would be to find a reputable professional, speak with them about what you have noticed, and ask if they could help ‘straighten you out’!  

Finding a Professional for You

This is your opportunity to book a bodywork session for yourself! Bonus points if the person you choose to work with has experience working with other equestrians or horses. I personally would almost always seek a chiropractor or osteopath first. This is just my personal preference. But there are so many other professionals who can help you here… A physiotherapist, craniosacral therapist, massage therapist, body worker… The list is endless. And that is without even considering acupuncture, acupressure, Reiki, etc.

Keep in mind that making and attending 1 or 2 appointments with these professionals is only the beginning of the journey to symmetry and straightness! The work is ongoing to improve and iron things out in the saddle. 

This is where a dedicated pilates instructor for equestrians, or a yoga instructor, can really help you to develop symmetry throughout your body. A personal trainer who has a good understanding of riding can also do the same. My point is that just visiting someone once and expecting them to perform a lasting miracle is unfair to the person, yourself, and your horse. There’s always more work to be done!

Remember, if you noticed something crooked or ‘off’ about your horse on the video, you wouldn’t hesitate to call someone in. Apply the same care and compassion to yourself.

Hate Watching Yourself?

Finally, let’s talk about the elephant in the arena.  Most riders hate watching themselves ride. They will come up with all sorts of reasons not to video and review their own performance. And I get it; it can be really uncomfortable!  You inevitably see things you don’t like. And you may need to resist the temptation to fast-forward through it. Or delete it altogether!

But remember, you are 50% of the team.  And if you want to truly transition from being a passenger to being a ‘rider’, this is often necessary. Essential even!

Yes, you might feel vulnerable. But do you know what’s on the other side of that mental discomfort? A straighter, stronger, and more effective you in the saddle. And your horse will thank you because you can finally stop drilling down on the thing that your horse was only doing to compensate for you anyway!

Happy Riding
Lorna

Step by Step Video Today

If you’re feeling motivated to get going with this, I’ve created a free resource you can use to make the most out of your videos. I will show you how to both get started and what to actually do when you ride to get the most out of your videos. This resource is absolutely free, and you can download it HERE

Next time something feels “off” in the saddle, instead of just asking what’s wrong with your horse, ask yourself, “What might I be doing that’s making this harder for him?”. 

Then get curious. Get courageous. And let video become your silent (but honest) coach ;)

Ready to Dive Deeper?

If this post is stirring something inside of you, and you’re starting to realise that the missing piece might be you (in the best possible way), I want to invite you to explore what it could look like to have support as you work through it.

Restart & Reschool is a quarterly 13-week private coaching program where I work closely with riders like you to get clear, confident, and consistent in the saddle – by working with you just as much as your horse.

If you’re curious, head to https://stridesforsuccess.com/rr for all the details and to join up. There are only 5 spaces available, so book yours today.

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