What if you had everything you already need when it comes to figuring out the perfect plan when riding alone without a regular trainer or coach? And this is for whether you want to improve your own riding skills or focus on your horse’s training. You do and you can – and I will lay out exactly how, step by step.
Reviewing your riding is one of the best ways to set you and your horse up for success in your riding and training. Especially if your plan when riding is based on what you have learned in your review.
So, if consistency when it comes to your riding and your training has been an issue, buckle up! This is the exact right training for you to help you begin to implement a few simple things in your riding, to move forward in your training.
What to Include in Your Review
Doing a regular riding review is one of the most powerful ways to make progress, especially if you are training alone without a regular coach or trainer. Just like checking your mirrors before you pull out to overtake, your riding review will help you make better choices for you and your horse in your training.
However, in order to be effective, your reviews need to be consistent and happen as close as possible to the moment you dismount from the saddle! Otherwise, thoughts, impressions, and memories fade.
Inside Connection, we do this twice every month together. To help you get into the rhythm of regularly and consistently reviewing and planning your work with your horse. And for October, November, and December 2025, I am giving monthly training on how to use A.I. to make your reviewing process simpler and easier to help with your planning. You can find out more about Connection at https://stridesforsuccess.com/join
The Planning Traps
Okay, so once you’ve figured out what’s been going on the past two weeks in your riding and training, you need to turn your mind to figuring out where to go from here. The issue is that most riders fall into the trap of staying vague.
They will say things like “I need to ride more often…”. This is too wishy-washy if you want to see real progress. And riding for the sake of riding rarely ever works!
Another way riders set themselves up for a fall when planning their rides is to try and do it all! They think that changing everything will give them the win they need. Creating a whole new schedule, packed with new exercises, and maybe even some new equipment thrown in for good measure, is not sustainable!
Whatever plan you come up with must be realistic, do-able, effective, and pointing you and your horse in the direction you want to go with your riding, partnership, and training
1 to 2 Week Plan from Your Review
Look, I realise that you probably read 1 or 2 weeks and thought, “What?! I’m going all in for a month if I’m planning things out”. And I understand why you’re saying that. However, I am going to ask you to trust me a little and limit yourself to 1 or 2 weeks initially. Just like anything in life, the more you do this, the better you will become. And it gives lots of wiggle room for ‘things’ to happen!
1 . Pick Your Priority
From your review, you probably have picked up on a couple of things that are not as great as they could be. This could be actual training and riding-related. Or it could be to do with your time and schedule. Figuring out what works and what doesn’t can be slow at first. But this is exactly what gives you the momentum you need later. The important thing to remember is that not everything needs to improve at once or immediately!
There will usually be a single ‘domino’ when it comes to your progress. One thing that you can change or implement to have a positive knock-on effect on so many other areas. Pick your domino!
2. Set Up Support and Boundaries
What needs to happen so that you can devote time and attention to that thing? Maybe you need to move things around your schedule. It could be setting up poles or grids. Perhaps having a backup for bad weather. While you won’t be able to control everything, there are so many things you can influence. Your job now is to identify what they are and then take action!
Having a clear outline of what it is you want to work on with your horse will allow you to create some excitement about it ahead of time, which will make the chances of it actually happening higher!
3. Plan for Practice, Progress, and Pauses
Okay, so once you’ve got a 1 or 2 key things that you want to work on over the coming week or two, now you can begin organising how this will happen. Again, the more often you get to do something, the more effective you’re going to be at doing the thing. This is true for both planning AND the thing you’re practicing!
Nothing is ever a one-and-done situation when it comes to horses and training. The key to building on the foundations of relaxation and rhythm lies in the repetition of the basics. So include that in your plan!
Also, plan to create some progress in your training or partnership. Slowly ask bigger questions – slowly is the key word in that particular sentence! This might happen over a 2 or even 4-week period. Again, the more time you invest up front, will usually help build momentum later in your training.
And just like us, your horse needs to rest as well. Rein in the temptation to keep hammering on at the same thing day in and day out. Add rest days and variety to both the training itself and where you’re training, if possible.
4. Review Your Planning!
Finally, I have mentioned some traps earlier, but I think it’s also important to be both open and supple to making changes to your plan if and when you can. If you get a few days in and realise that there is no way you’re going to be able to make it happen, change it. I’ve been there myself, making the plan so big that it’s impossible to follow! Start slow and steady!
And remember, tracking your rides and work is important for your next planning session! The better you become at reviewing your rides, the better you will be at planning the upcoming ones. Good reviewing leads to good planning!
Making Decisions Ahead of Time
Finally, I really want to urge you to stop simply riding for the sake of riding. Look, I do think that every now and then, there are situations where this is good. In fact, I sometimes encourage riders to do exactly this. However, for today and for you, don’t! This is one of the single biggest reasons riders stop riding! It just becomes boring – for them and their horses.
Just letting the week “happen to you” instead of you making decisions ahead of time about your riding and training won’t work when it comes to improving your riding or your horses training.
Create ‘back up plans’ for the days when you’re short on time. I have a free resource at https://stridesforsuccess.com/15 that is full of different things you can do with 15 minutes or less to move your training forward. Create back up plans for rainy days, or scorching hot days! Going to your horse with an intention will always move the progess needle forward in your riding.
‘Plan when Riding Alone’ Workshop
Every month, I host a Live Review and Planning Call inside of Connection. This takes the guessing out or your riding, and is a place where you can begin strategising about your riding and your training. We work together, in real time, on your previous two weeks in the saddle. And make plans for the upcoming two weeks as well.
And because each call is recorded and available in your members’ app and on your private podcast feed, you can join anytime and start your 2-week cycle with us.
This is how we build consistent momentum together, no matter your riding goals. Couple this with on-demand audio horse riding lessons in so many different categories, live group lessons, live Q&A sessions, and ongoing support throughout the month – I’m not sure what you’re waiting for ;) https://stridesforsuccess.com/join
Happy Riding
Lorna
Online Training & Coaching
The Your Signature Ride Challenge
Here’s the idea: you use only your seat and leg aids to “write” your name in the arena. Sounds simple, right? But what it really does is sharpen your awareness of timing and clarity. You’ll learn when your aids actually make a difference. And you’ll have fun doing it. All while creating a pattern that’s uniquely yours!
You can sign up by CLICKING HERE
It’s free to join, and every rider who participates gets access to a guided audio lesson to help them through the challenge. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win 3 months inside Connection (a $66 value)
Restart & Reschool
And if you would like a little more 1-to-1 coaching, explore Restart & Reschool Private Coaching. It is perfect if you’re starting your practice – or if you’re looking to turn your existing practice into something ‘real’ for you and your horse. I’ll guide you step by step on the way! 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.
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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