If your riding hasn’t changed, it’s probably not because you haven’t learned something new. It’s more likely because you haven’t committed to doing something new. I know, that might seem a little harsh! And if it stings a little for you, perhaps there is a morsel of truth in there?
In fact, if your riding isn’t improving, this might be exactly what you need to finally shift from stuck to riding with purpose again.
Whether you’re coming back to riding after a long break, working with your horse alone, or you’ve just fallen into the scroll-save-binge-repeat cycle of collecting riding content without actually using any of it, this is for you! Let’s chat about what’s really holding your riding back. And how to change it, starting today.
The “Learning Loop” That’s Slowing You Down
We’re living in the ‘golden age’ of information. Just the other day, I was thinking about how, if I didn’t know the answer to something back in the 90s, getting answers could sometimes be quite the challenge!
However, today, there are podcasts (hello to the Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians), YouTube videos, ‘the Google’, blog posts, ChatGPT, downloadable PDFs, social media… And all just waiting, mere seconds away, at our fingertips. And, let’s be honest, this can be great. I will happily admit that I have (and you have most likely as well) consumed a lot of it. Things like:-
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- Saved dozens of riding exercises on your phone
- Have piles of magazines with dog-eared articles,
- Stacks of books with bookmarks or Post-it notes sticking out of random pages!
- Nodded along to riding podcasts while mucking out
- Made mental notes during webinars and masterclasses
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Putting Things into Practice
And yet…. When it comes to the actual riding part? It feels like things are not changing. You either freeze, overthink, or completely procrastinate on doing the things you ‘know’ you should do. And, because of that, your riding isn’t improving!
It’s not that you don’t care, or that you’re lazy. It’s that you’re stuck in the ‘content collecting’ trap. You’ve confused learning about riding with actually riding.
I see it all the time, and I’ve been there myself. It’s a sneaky little trap because it feels productive. In fact, your mind gives you a little ‘boost’, making you ‘think’ that you’re actually doing something productive.
I had to either find a good book, ask someone experienced, or figure it out through trial and error. Every option required time, effort, and action.But the fact of the matter is that learning alone doesn’t make you a better rider. Learning combined with doing does.
How This Shows Up for Real Riders
Let me share three stories from riders I’ve worked with inside Restart & Reschool Private Coaching. These are all lovely, dedicated horsewomen who made real progress, not by cramming more info into their heads! But by taking one uncomfortable (usually only in their head) but intentional action.
My first rider began working with me feeling afraid! So anxious that she hadn’t even put her foot in the stirrup for over a year. Her challenge wasn’t physical; it was emotional. She told me that every time she even began to think about riding, the “what ifs” took over:
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- What if my horse spooks?
- What if I fall again?
- What if I’ve forgotten everything?
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She had all the theory. In fact, she was regularly eventing with her previous horse ‘in a past life’. But a few unfortunate and unlucky falls had her stuck in the cycle of fear. And it wasn’t like she was not trying to overcome this. She’d listened to this podcast, written riding plans, practiced groundwork… So much groundwork! But she wasn’t riding.
Stop Learning and Start Doing
So, we worked on getting her out of her head and into action. Her first big action? Figuring out what she wanted! “I want to enjoy riding my horse again without anxiety.” Fantastic :) So, now to begin with the tiny steps to make this happen. We started building small wins:
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- 5 minutes of groundwork
- 10 minutes in the saddle
- Staying on when her thoughts got loud
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This rider didn’t need more information. In fact, that was keeping her stuck. What she needed was actions to take through the fear. That’s what got her back in the saddle.
‘Knowing’ But Not ‘Feeling’
Another rider I had the pleasure of working with recently really knew her stuff. In fact, she knew so much about all of the ‘things’ that her struggle was actually being present and ‘feeling’ how things were going when working with her horse. She was caught up in the ‘do this’ and ‘do that’ cycle of her aids and exercises.
She showed me her notebooks full of exercises, and ‘ideas’ about how to get her horse to work in better contact… But in the saddle? She was 100% stuck in analysis paralysis!
Her breakthrough came when I asked her to do less. I actually gave her Week 1 of the Original Returning to Riding Program (all about ‘feeling’ what is happening underneath you in the saddle), and told her to work on that – no more! Now, I could tell you that this all went well… But, in reality, she worked herself into a panic! “But if I’m not checking every second whether I’m doing it right, how do I know it’s right?!”
I reminded her to trust the process… And, lo and behold, her horse began to soften! The ‘contact’ that she technically knew inside and out but that had been eluding her for years began to appear. Because she stopped overthinking – and simply allowed.
More knowledge about the topic was not what she needed. It was being present in the ‘doing’ that helped her put the pieces together – after years of wondering why her riding isn’t improving!
The Value of Small Chunks of Time
Then there is a rider who I can 100% see myself in. Her struggles are very similar to mine. We’ve got the horses, got the equipment, got the know-how… But it so often feels that time is not our friend! She actually would write on our 1 to 1 chat pretty regularly something along the lines of “I only have 20 minutes. Is it even worth it?”. My answer (which is advice I give myself pretty regularly), “YES! Let’s GO!”
I think the issue here is that because she knows what she knows, and she has the physical resources to make things happen, she tends to get stuck in the trap of thinking that everything must be perfect and ‘correct’.
It’s the knowledge of how things ‘could’ be that is holding her back from taking action when she perceives that anything is less than that. When all the ducks are not lining up perfectly…
Her belief seems to be around, “If I can’t ride for 45 minutes, there’s no point.”. The work became her challenging herself to rethink that. And, using all of the things that she ‘knows’ to make the best of 10 or 20 minutes when the opportunity presents itself. So we gave it a bash…
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- Walking bareback using legs and seat as the ‘starring role’ aids
- Improving the rhythm of lateral work by practicing on the ground beside her horse
- Apply some basic massage techniques to areas of her horse where she’s noticed stiffness or tightness
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And, I know, they might not seem like the most exciting suggestions initially; however, after just one week, she could see a huge change in how her partnership with her horse was developing. And rather than being all about the ‘competing’ and ‘working’, just being with her horse became fun and enjoyable again.
“Those 10 minutes feel better than any 45-minute ride I’ve done in years. I’m focused. He’s listening. We’re actually connecting again.”
This rider was allowing all that she already ‘knew’ to hold her back from taking actions that mattered. And, in the end, it became less about having more time and more about implementing what she already knew with purpose.
Riding Isn’t Improving? Take Action!
I cannot stress to you enough how important this is. Stop waiting until everything is perfect. In fact, some of your best riding days will happen when things are definitely ‘less than’ how you would like them to be! And stop waiting until you ‘feel confident’. You’re only going to begin growing your confidence by doing. Not by learning more and worrying!
Work on taking action and doing what you can with what you already know. Begin improving your ability to be present for it all. And then watch how things begin to shift and change for you and your horse.
Your Signature Ride Challenge
So here’s your moment to do the same. If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it! The FREE Your Signature Ride Challenge is a simple, powerful way to have a whole lot of fun with your horse – while applying the things you already know.
And the best part? You can complete it in one short ride, and then work on improving your outcome every ride thereafter!
The challenge is absolutely free and can be done in an arena or field (or a wide road?!). It’s for English and Western riders… And you don’t need anything other than your phone (with a free app on it), and your creativity :). When you sign up, you’ll receive:-
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- A free guided audio riding lesson
- A printable workbook to help you plan ‘your signature’
- A fun GPS-based challenge to “write your name” using mostly your seat and leg aids
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There’s no pressure, just a fun activity to do with your horse while warming up and cooling down. Think of it as a way to relax, have fun, but also connect with your horse in a deeper way from the saddle. Sign up for FREE by CLICKING HERE
Restart and Reschool
And if you are looking for something more. My eyes on you and your horse, working together… Restart and Reschool Private Coaching might just be the thing for you. You’ll not only get the full ‘OTTB; From Racetrack to Ready Program’, but also fornightly private lessons with me to move you forward in your riding.
We can work on anything you would like; from groundwork, to lunging, to riding, to jumping… With the virtual private lessons, we can do all of these things – and more. If you would like to find out me, you can let me know a little more about you HERE and I will then reach back out and we can chat!
This is the support, training, and accountability you’ve been missing to finally follow through and start seeing progress. No fluff. No overwhelm. And as flexible as you need for your lifestyle.
Whatever you decide, I’m going to challenge you this week to stop saving all of the exercises and movements! Stop spending all of your ‘horse time’ learning… And start doing! Get in action and get riding. Then, using the feedback you create for yourself, your next ‘learning session’ will actually be something you can put to use in your very next ride.
Take action today and don’t let another week go by where you think about riding more than you ride.
Happy Riding
Lorna
Online Training & Coaching
Connect with Lorna online:-
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- Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
- Connect with Lorna on Instagram @lornaleeson or @stridesforsuccess
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