Strides for Success

Blog

  • Stuck? Your 90-Day Riding Reset Starts Here!

    Let’s be honest — getting stuck in your riding or horse training journey can feel downright defeating. You’ve tried different approaches, experimented with new techniques. And you’ve even questioned if you’re the problem (hint: you’re not). And yet, nothing seems to be working. You’re on a plateau, staring at the same old view, wondering what the heck to do next.

    I’ve been there. And if you’re nodding along right now, this post is your sign to hit reset — with intention, structure, and a clear plan. I want to introduce you to something that changed everything for me: a 90-Day Reset.

    Not a vague “new start.” Not a burst of motivation that fades in a week. A proper, intentional 90-day commitment to shift the momentum in your riding, your horse’s training, and quite honestly, your life.

    Why a 90-Day Reset?

    There’s something powerful about committing to a timeframe that’s long enough to see real change, but short enough to feel achievable.  In my own experience, things had been spiraling a bit. October had arrived, and instead of celebrating progress, I was stuck deeper than ever. I felt exhausted, frustrated, and painfully aware of everything that wasn’t working.

    So, I made a decision: for 90 days, I would commit to a fresh start. I would set up boundaries, create a couple of rules. And I would show up – even on the days I didn’t feel like it.

    That 90-day commitment changed more than just a few routines. It changed my mindset, my energy, and the way I approached everything.  And I bet that if you take this same approach, you can use this to transform your riding as well.

    The Power of Simple Rules

    When you’re making a 90-day plan, the key isn’t to change everything overnight. First of all, that is not fun, and it will more than likely lead to burnout. And you are not actually following through. Instead, focus on simple, clear rules that move you toward your goal.

    These rules must be completely non-negotiable. This way, they will give you something to lean on when motivation is in short supply! My rules kept me moving forward when the initial excitement wore off (and trust me, it always does).

    You need the same kind of anchors in your riding.  What would your version of those rules look like?  3 schooling sessions each week, no excuses.  One groundwork session every 10 days.  No riding without a clear plan.  Weekly video review to track progress….   Whatever it is — choose it, write it down, and commit to it for 90 days.

    Resistance Will Show Up

    Here’s what nobody tells you when you commit to change: the resistance is part of the process.  There were days I wanted to quit. Days when sticking to the plan felt pointless, especially when I was not seeing initial results.  But I didn’t quit. I really do put this down to creating and following my rules!

    I was actually close to 6 weeks in before I saw any measurable improvement.  And then, on my birthday, a little past the halfway mark, things shifted!  I could see the progress, even if it wasn’t ‘great’. It was definitely there.

    And after sticking with it through thick and thin, that renewed sense of possibility is the magic of a 90-day commitment. It was like a burst of inspiration in the middle :)

    And you’ll get there too, but only if you don’t quit when it’s boring. Or hard. Or inconvenient. You’ve got to stick with it.  And those rules will help you to do that. Remember, it’s only for 90 days…

    For You & Your Horse

    We often think riding plateaus are about us.  Our motivation, our skills, our mindset. And that is somewhat true… But if you’ve been stuck for a while, chances are your horse is stuck too. He’s picking up on your frustration. Your inconsistency. Your lack of clarity.  Imagine what a 90-day reset could do for both of you.

    When you start showing up with intention, your horse responds. When you follow through on your plan, your horse learns to trust you again. You start to speak the same language. Progress becomes inevitable.

    Your 90-Day Plan: How to Start

    If you’re feeling inspired but unsure where to begin, start here:

        1. Define what “progress” looks like
          What do you want to be true by the end of these 90 days? Be specific. “Feel more confident” is too vague. Try “ride a full schooling session in the arena 3 times per week without freezing up” instead.

        2. Choose 3-5 rules that support that goal
          Make them clear. Make them simple. Make them non-negotiable.

        3. Write it all down — and put it somewhere visible
          Better yet, share it with someone who’ll hold you accountable. More on that in a second.

        4. Expect resistance, and plan for it
          What will you do on the days you don’t feel like riding? Or when the weather is awful? Have a plan.

        5. Celebrate milestones, not just the end result
          Track your progress. Reflect weekly. And give yourself credit for staying the course.

    You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

    If you want support while you work through this, I can absolutely help you with that. My Restart & Reschool Private Coaching Program is designed specifically for riders like you: those who are training on their own, without a regular instructor, and are ready to get things moving again.

    Here’s what’s inside:

          • Weekly virtual private horse riding lessons

          • Video reviews of your rides

          • Private 1 to 1 chat

          • Tailored training plans based on your horse and your goals

          • Flexible scheduling that works for real life

    This is about more than progress. It’s about confidence. Connection. Clarity.  If you’re ready to commit to your own 90-day restart and want guidance, reach out to me directly or visit www.stridesforsuccess.com.

    Share Your Riding Reset

    We have a wonderful (and supportive!) group of riders inside our private community at stridesforsuccess.com/group. If you’re planning your own 90-day reset, I’d love for you to share your rules and goals inside the group.  Maybe you’ll inspire another rider to do the same.

    Because here’s the truth: You don’t need another “tomorrow.”  You need structure. You need clarity. You need a finish line.  And, if you choose to, that can start today. Yep, right now! 

    Your 90-Day Riding Reset

    A 90-day reset won’t solve everything. However, maybe yours can be the catalyst for a complete shift in your riding and training.  It will create a container, a framework for you to work inside (there are those rules again)!

    This is a time for you to get honest, get focused, and get results.  If you’re stuck, see this as your invitation to begin again.  Make the plan. Set your rules. And, most importantly, commit to showing up. Especially when things get hard, you’re not seeing results, and you simply don’t feel like it.

    I’m cheering for you, and if you want a coach in your corner for the next 90 days, you know where to find me. Let’s make this quarter count.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Related Resources, Links, and Topics

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Begin to Transform Your Riding using ‘Autopilot’

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdcn.co/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1361-Start-Transforming-Your-Riding-Using-Autopilot.mp3″ title=”Begin to Transform Your Riding Using Autopilot” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    Have you ever caught yourself mid-ride, wondering, “Wait, what am I even doing right now?”  You’re trotting along and suddenly realise your reins have slipped, your heels are up, or you’re staring at your horse’s neck. Riding on autopilot isn’t a bad thing – if what’s running in the background is actually helping you. In fact, putting the right things onto autopilot can really transform your riding.

    Because here’s the thing… You’re already riding on autopilot. The question is, what exactly is on your autopilot? Be honest, if I were to watch a short video of you riding today, and compare it to one from six months ago, would there be a positive change? Not just in your horse, but in you, the rider?

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I want to walk you through the steps you can take to make sure that when you “zone out” in the saddle, the habits you fall back on are ones that are actually serving you. Not random things you picked up somewhere and stuck with because they “kinda worked”.

    This is the same process I guide riders through inside Connection and my live trainings. It’s how you can begin to rewire your default riding behavior — so your autopilot becomes your greatest ally, not your biggest hurdle.

    Step 1: Make It Easy

    Look — changing a habit doesn’t always require a big overhaul. Often, it starts with something as simple as checking your setup.  In fact, you could begin to transform your riding today if you paid closer attention to this… Do your gloves make it hard to feel the reins? Get a pair that actually grip. Are your reins smooth and slippery? Try ones with stops or rubber coating. Struggling to keep your heels down? Maybe your stirrups are too long. Riding on the cantle of the saddle every time? Try adjusting your stirrup length first.

    So many riders are struggling in the saddle simply because they haven’t made it easy for themselves to succeed

    Make it easier to do the right thing. So much of good riding is about removing resistance to good habits.

    Your Action Step:

    Look at your most persistent issue. What’s one small change you can make today to support a better habit? Tweak it. Set yourself up for success.

    Step 2: Use Checkpoints

    Changing habits isn’t just about doing something new — it’s about remembering to do it. That’s where checkpoints come in.  Checkpoints are anything in your riding environment that you can associate with a quick check-in. Think floodlights, poles, fence posts, shadows, jump uprights, and the corner letters in your arena.

    You already ride past the same things every day. Start using them to your advantage

    Every time you pass your chosen checkpoint, do a quick scan: How are your hands? Your seat? Your posture? Are you still riding with intention?  The more consistent you are with these mini check-ins, the faster your good habits will become automatic.

    Your Action Step:

    Pick 2–3 things you ride past consistently and assign a check-in to each one. Make it simple. Make it repeatable.

    Step 3: Stack Your Habits

    This idea became popular through James Clear and Atomic Habits, but I’ve been teaching it to riders for years. You already do things in your ride on autopilot. Things like warming up, cooling down, checking the time, or walking to the mounting block. Why not use those moments to also check in on a new habit you want to develop? Trust me, to transform your riding, you need to pay attention to these every day things.

    You’re already doing some things automatically. Why not build better habits on top of them?

    For example, during your warm-up walk, focus on aligning your posture. During your cool-down, stretch your legs and check your rein length. Every time you check your watch, scan your hand position. Simple, low-effort ways to upgrade your riding with zero extra time required.

    Your Action Step:

    Choose one routine you already have in place and attach a new habit to it. Start there and build.

    Step 4: Track & Reward

    Progress isn’t always obvious. That’s why tracking it matters.  You need a way to see your improvement over time — even if it’s slow. I recommend using a riding journal to note what went well, what you worked on, and what you’re aiming for.

    We don’t celebrate our progress nearly enough in the saddle. That needs to change

    Tracking also helps you know when you deserve a reward. Not a pat on the back, though those help!  I’m talking about something that motivates you. It might be a nice hack out, a new piece of tack, or a peaceful morning hike. You decide.

    Your Action Step:

    Start a riding journal and use it regularly. Celebrate the small wins. Give yourself a reward when you earn it.

    Step 5: Consistency, Not Perfection

    Most riders give up on new habits because they expect perfection. That’s not how this works.  Start small. Choose one habit. One change. Focus on doing it more often than not. Perfection is unrealistic — especially in horse riding, where every moment is fluid and unpredictable.

    Riding is rarely perfect — but it can be consistently better. Your riding will never be 100% perfect. That’s okay. What matters is that it’s consistently improving.

    Your Action Step:

    Pick one riding habit to focus on for the next two weeks. Just one. Work on it consistently, and notice how everything else begins to shift.

    Transform Your Riding with Autopilot

    You are already riding on autopilot. The question is: What habits have you programmed into it?  Start small. Adjust your setup. Build in checkpoints. Stack new habits onto old ones. Track your wins. Stay consistent. This is how you reset your default behavior and actually enjoy the process along the way!

    If you’re nodding along and thinking, yes — this is what I need, make sure you’re on the waitlist for my Returning to Riding program. I’ll be hosting a live training soon, and this is exactly what we’ll be diving into.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More Episodes on This Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Using Your Thoughts to Put Better Habits on Autopilot in Your Riding

    How often have you felt overwhelmed about remembering and doing all of the things when it comes to your riding? Perhaps you find yourself looking at more experienced riders and wondering “How do they do it?”. Maybe you feel at a loss because “As soon as I start with something different, it all falls apart.”.  Or for you it could just be “I just can’t remember to do all of the things at the same time!!!”. This is a very real part of the riding journey for all riders. It’s a phase you have to go through if you want to improve and succeed as a ‘rider’.

    Take a deep breath, because you’re definitely not alone. In fact, feeling overwhelmed, especially when you’re still learning all of the things is a natural part of the riding journey. Every single rider—yes, even those more experienced riders you admire—has faced these exact frustrations.

    One of the key differences between struggling riders and those who appear effortlessly successful comes down to one key thing: putting better habits on autopilot – and your thoughts can help you do just that…

    Why Thoughts Matters (Not Just in the Saddle!)

    Here’s the truth: your thoughts and how you think about your riding significantly influences how you ride. Your thoughts produce your emotions, which result in the actions you take.  And over time, those actions become habits! Which means putting better habits on autopilot is mental as much as it’s physical.

    And improving your thoughts isn’t simply about positive thinking; it’s about your automatic responses and mental habits, especially when things don’t go exactly as planned.

    Unfortunately, when you become stressed or feel overwhelmed while riding, your brain will naturally resort back to autopilot – which means that if you have not set up good ‘mental’ habits, the result is probably not what you want.

    If your habits in general are not actively helping you through these stressful situations, things will begin to go sideways – fast! However, when you begin to intentionally create helpful mental habits, put better habits on autopilot, chances are that you’ll be much more successful in handling the challenges that come up. Both mentally and physically.

    And, here’s something to get excited about, you don’t have to wait until you’re sitting on your horse to start! You can begin creating and developing better, more useful mental habits today – any time and any where.

    Consistency: Your Thought’s Friend

    Becoming a rider who feels confident in your own abilities to positively influence your horse, no matter the situation, requires practice. Regular, consistent practice of the right things.

    It’s only by doing this over and over again that you will begin seeing what perhaps initially felt difficult to practice, become easier – and over time become automatic. 

    Think about it this way: confident, successful riders don’t spend their entire ride thinking about their posture, their aids, or their balance. They have already devoted time to putting better habits on autopilot because they practiced the right things consistently until they became second nature.

    This simple fact then frees up their attention to focus on other things – usually how to become a more positive influence on their horse and developing how well they are working together. 

    Putting Better Habits on Autopilot – Now

    Ready to start changing your riding experience? Here’s a straightforward exercise to help you begin developing better mental habits:

    1. Identify a Trigger:

      Start by identifying one thing that consistently triggers a less-than-ideal reaction in your riding. It could be your horse speeding up, asking for a transition into canter, working over ground poles, your balance shifting unexpectedly, or even negative self-talk like “I’ll never get this right.”

    2. Visualize the Situation Clearly:

      Once you have identified one single thing to work on, imagine you’re watching a video of yourself riding.  Think Start your ‘video’ from a point where everything is going well. Then, let the “video” play until it reaches the moment when things start to go sideways. Watch closely. What exactly is happening?

    3. Slow Down the Replay:

      Replay your video again, but this time, slow everything down. Notice what physically changes right before things go wrong. Maybe you tense your shoulders, lean forward, hold your breath, or even start gripping with your knees.  The key here is to really get clear on exactly what you’re doing that causes things to go ‘sideways’.

    4. Think of Alternatives:

      Now, and this is important, intentionally think of different ways you could respond, use, or move your body in that situation. If you usually tense up, imagine yourself taking a deep breath, expanding through your body and then letting the tension release with it as you breath out.

      Maybe you know that just before transitions, you have a tendency to lean forward. This time, rather think about lengthening and elongating through your body. Imagine yourself sitting tall and balanced. You might even draw inspiration from another rider who handles similar situations confidently.

    5. Replace and Replay: Putting the Better Habits on Autopilot! 

      Now, once you have an alternative that works, begin replaying your mental video over again. But this time you’re replacing whatever it is that you usually do with a new, intentional response. I’m going to be honest, this can be difficult initially – take it slowly. One step at a time.

    Once you have it ‘created’ in your head, try to replay it a few times until it begins to feel ‘real’. This is where you are beginning to believe that it’s possible. And your mind must believe it if your body is to make it happen. 

    Struggle with Visualization?

    If visualization is challenging, don’t worry! There are other ways of making this happen.

        1. Write down the steps; like a story. What is now happening and then what you want to happen. The key is to add as much detail in here as possible.  Reread it over to yourself numerous times.
        2. Talk through the situation. I have found that talking to my horse helps here. Especially when I’m in the ‘thick of it’. I simply tell my horse what I usually do – in great detail. And then I begin telling them about what I’m going to do differently and change this time. I also include how this will play out or result in a different outcome for both of us. This has the added benefit of keeping you breathing as well!
        3. Watch an actual video of yourself doing the thing that you want to change. Then watch a video of another rider handing the same situation in a much more effective and positive way. Over time, from paying close attention to what the other rider is doing to get the better result, you will begin to change your actions as well.

    “But it ‘Feels’ Uncomfortable!” Good :)

    Here’s something crucial to remember: it’s okay to feel mentally uncomfortable as you go through this process. Honestly highlighting the parts of your riding that you’d rather keep hidden is not going to be easy or feel good! Mentally you might find yourself squirming! Embarrassed or frustrated are also common feelings to experience.

    However, that discomfort is just temporary—it won’t last forever. And it’s mental – not physical. What is exciting to realize is that feeling this way is a great indicator that you’re actually making progress!

    Hiding or burying all of the things that are holding you back as a rider is wasting your time – as well as your horses and your instructors! Be brave and face up to the things. Every rider has these things. Once you can see them for what they are – habits that are no longer serving you – you can let all of that shame or annoyance about them fade away.

    You’re simply choosing to replace outdated habits with ones that actually serve you at this point in your riding. 

    Your Action Step for Today

    Pick one trigger today and run it through this process. Commit just 10 minutes to intentionally practicing your new better habit to put on autopilot. Set a timer if it helps. The goal is to do this consistently, making these responses second nature and putting your mindset firmly on autopilot.

    Anything that you physically do that has a bit of a repetitive rhythm or sequence to it can really help this to stick for you.

    I find driving or walking to be great times to do this type of work. So too is mucking out, grooming, ironing, folding clothes, gardening… The options are endless. The question is, are you willing to do the work?

    Take the Next Step—Join the Waitlist!

    Ready to truly transform your riding experience? Make sure you pop your name onto the waitlist for the upcoming Returning to Riding Program. This is where you get to identify what’s going on with your riding (both what’s working and what’s not) and then begin working on ways to improve.

    The program is there to help you transform from being a passenger in the saddle, to showing up as a confident, consistent rider who can begin working on how to positively influence your horse.

    When you sign up for the waitlist, you’ll be the first to receive details about my exclusive new live webinar, designed to give you actionable insights and inspiration you can start using immediately. Join the Returning to Riding Waitlist HERE

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More Episodes on This Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Learning to Identify Unhelpful Thoughts in Your Riding

    Learning to Identify Unhelpful Thoughts in Your Riding

    Have you ever noticed how quickly things can shift from good to tense during a ride? One moment you’re feeling relaxed and confident, and the next, you realize that your shoulders have crept up to your ears, your hands are gripping onto those reins for dear life, and, maybe, you’ve forgotten to breath for a few seconds too long!

    Rather than just accepting that your body is doing it’s own thing – and not what you want, this is the perfect opportunity to begin asking yourself “What’s going on here?”. “What thought caused this reaction in my body?”

    Because, while you might think that these things just happen; leaning forward on every canter transition, or curling up like a hamster when a dog barks while out for a hack; they are a reaction. Your body is reacting to your thoughts about the situation. Yes, these physical responses aren’t random—they’re usually triggered by your thoughts. Thoughts that we often don’t even realize we are having!

    Today, we’re going to explore how to identify these unhelpful thoughts and, importantly, how you can shift them to create positive change in your riding.

    Your ‘Thought-Body’ Connection

    Let’s start by addressing something important that is often overlooked: your mind and body are closely connected. Every thought you have while riding has the potential to trigger a physical response in your body, even if you’re not consciously aware of it. So most of the physical reactions your body has in the saddle is down to the thoughts going through your mind. Most of which are unconscious!

    Think about it: have you ever anticipated something going wrong while riding? Maybe you were worried about how that canter transition was going to play out. Or you began nervously wondering how your horse was going to react to the wheelie bin that you can see ahead on your hack. While it’s always a good idea to be aware of different potentials.

    The trouble begins when we ‘brace’ ourselves for trouble; your mind creating a physical reaction in your body. And once your body tenses up, your horse inevitably picks up on it, too. Your thoughts literally shape your experience in the saddle.

    To ride confidently and effectively, you must first become aware of what thoughts are guiding your actions.

    Identifying Unhelpful Thoughts in Your Riding

    Take a moment right now and think about your most recent ride. Was there a specific moment when things didn’t feel right? Perhaps your horse felt tense, your balance seemed off, or your rhythm faltered. What thoughts crossed your mind right before this happened?

    Now, to be clear, the potential here for ‘those’ thoughts to crop up is infinite! There are just so many ways that riders can self-sabotage their riding with their own thoughts. Here are a few that you might have experienced:-

        • “I’m going to mess this up again.”
        • “We ALWAYS struggle to get this part right.”
        • “My horse is already too tense; this isn’t going to end well!”
        • “Oh sugar – I can’t remember everything I’m supposed to do!”
        • “I’m not able to handle this situation!”
        • “Oh no, he HATES dogs – there’s no way we’re going to get past this gate!”

    Each of these thoughts creates an emotional reaction, and not a good one! We’re talking more like anxiety, frustration, or fear. And these less than great emotions usually go on to produce a domino like effect throughout our body. The negative or ‘unconscious’ thought creates a physical reaction.

    As you well know, the physical reaction that is created rarely helps the situation! Gripping with your knees, collaposing through your upper body, straight elbows, looking down, tensing your shoulders, leaning forward, holding your breath… The list goes on and on.

    And, unfortunately, all of these less than great reactions have the dubious result of making it nearly impossible to ride well!  Never good when you’re faced with a situation that you’re already uncertain about! 

    Becoming aware of your thoughts is your first big step toward changing them.

    Get Curious – Ask Yourself Why

    Okay, so once you’ve identified the thoughts that tend to show up unannounced, uninvited, and unwelcomed in your mind; it’s time to dig deeper… Instead of immediately trying to push these thoughts away, get curious about them. Ask yourself honestly:

        • “Is this thought actually true?”
        • “Can this thought and another, more helpful, thought be true at the same time?”
        • “Is there another way this situation can play out in this moment?”
        • “How does this thought affect my body and my riding?”
        • “Where can I ‘feel’ this thought in my physical body – where is the excessive tension?”
        • “What might be a more helpful way to look at this situation?”

    This curiosity shifts your perspective and reduces the emotional charge. When you observe your thoughts without judgment, you begin to see them as habits rather than absolute truths.

    Keep in mind, you are doing this work OFF of your horse – not mounted up. So make sure that you really give yourself the space, quiet, and opportunity to really imagine and experience this thought so you can begin to change it…

    For example, the thought “My horse is already too tense; this isn’t going to end well!” might feel real at first. But rather than simply accepting that as a given, ask yourself honestly: does excess tension automatically mean disaster? Probably not! There are lot’s of ways to work on helping to release or dissipate tension. Often just realizing this can help shift your mindset into one of possibility instead of dread.

    Intentionally Replace Thoughts

    Changing your mental habits takes time. And it starts with getting creative and choosing new, more helpful thoughts that your mind can go to when things don’t feel great.  I also think that it’s worth mentioning that some thoughts are absolutely there to help keep you safe.

    This is where good old ‘positive thinking’ is not the goal. You want to think more practical thoughts. It’s an added bonus if they turn out to be positive!  

    So, take time to write down the repeating thought that is causing the reaction in your body. Then think about how you can replace it with something more useful, helpful, or practical.  The new thought that you offer your mind must also be believable! Don’t skip that!

        • Instead of: “I’m going to mess this up again.”
          Try: “It’s okay if this is not 100% perfect, I’m learning and mistakes are part riding.”

        • Instead of: “My horse is already too tense; this isn’t going to end well!”
          Try: “My horse feels quite tense; let’s take a deep breath together, connect physically through my voice and touch, and work on feeling more relaxed together”

    The new thought doesn’t need to feel perfect straight away. But it absolutely must be something that your mind can believe is at least a tiny within the realm of possibilities. This way it can commit to genuinely giving it a go.

    If you create a new thought and your mind immediately goes to ‘No way is that going to work” or “I can’t do that as a rider”, that thought is a step too far. Keep tweaking until you find something you can believe. The more you practice the believable new thought, the easier it will be for your mind to go there when things feel ‘shaky’.

    Link Your Thoughts to Your Actions

    The final piece of the rewiring those thoughts puzzle is to find an action you can link to that specific new thought. There is a tendency to go too big here; focus on small little things that don’t require a huge physical effort from you – but will still be helpful in the moment.

        • When you begin to feel physically anxious, intentionally focus on your breathing – especially your exhale as you mentally say, “Relax, we’ve got this.”
        • When you notice that you are beginning to tense up, deliberately unclench your jaw, roll down your shoulders from your ears, and soften your grip on the reins while saying, “I’m releasing the excess tension now.”
        • When doubt creeps in, consciously drop the weight into your heels, open up through your chest, and lengthen your spine, repeating the thought, “I am able to handle this and I am showing up ready to do just that”

    Doing this repeatedly creates a powerful new connection between your mind and body. Over time, this becomes your new autopilot. This will be where you mind goes to during those moments of doubt, insecurity, fear, or whatever other emotion that is not helping you at that moment in your riding.

    They key is to practice linking your new thought to a specific physical action while out of the saddle, and then slowly begin working on it while in the saddle as well. 

    Feels Uncomfortable? Keep Going :)

    Look, let’s be honest here. Nobody enjoys intentionally thinking about things that don’t make them feel good! And yet, this is often the exact work that is required to get things moving in our minds and our bodies. Tension can and will become stuck over time. By intentionally shining a light on it, you can begin to move it along.

    Initially, this can not only feel uncomfortable, but even embarrassing! Sometimes we know that the thought our mind has chosen to believe is actually ridiculous! And that is completely normal as well. Again, your mind just wants to keep you safe. Sometimes a tall tale is the way to make that happen ;)

    By being really honest with yourself, you will begin to uncover the real reasons behind challenges in your riding. Acknowledge your feelings. Identify each one and then commit to moving it one so that it can no longer hold you back.

    Remember, every rider – no matter how experienced – has faced similar mental hurdles. You’re not alone, you won’t be the first, and you certainly won’t be the last… It’s all part of becoming a more skilled rider :)

    The good news is that any mental discomfort you might feel will be temporary. Once you put your conscious spotlight on your stuck thought patterns, they begin to shift, and this allows you to create new more aligned habits in your mind.

    Your Action Step Today

    So, that all being said, let’s find a way that you can begin to put this into action right now that will help to positively impact your riding going forward…

        • Identify one specific unhelpful repetitive thought that shows up fairly often in your riding.
        • Rewrite it into one clear, helpful alternative thought.
        • Pair this new thought with a simple physical action that supports it, such as breathing deeply or dropping the weight into your heels.
        • Practice this consistently; first out of the saddle for five to ten minutes a day.
        • Later, as you feel the energy shift, you can work on this while in the saddle as well.

    Rewiring how your mind works will take time… But it is well worth the effort because it’s the small, intentional shifts in your thoughts and actions will help to transform your riding over time.

    The goal is consistency, not perfection. You might find that your mind has a lot of resistance to things initially. That’s okay. Don’t make it mean anything. Again, just try to notice the thoughts and then let your intention be to choose better, more supportive ones.

    Happy Riding,
    Lorna

    More Episodes on This Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • The Click Your Fingers Rule: Putting Your Position on Autopilot in Your Riding

    Imagine if there was something you could actively ‘do’ every moment you’re in the saddle that would almost guarantee that you’re in the ‘right place at the right time’.  There is. It involves abiding by the ‘Click Your Fingers Rule’ regarding your position. And look, I get it: talking about your position is not fun or exciting. But it is 100% one of the BEST ways to improve your skills as a rider.

    When you are in the right place at the right time to effectively and clearly communicate with your horse, it stands to reason that the overall connection and quality of the work will improve. 

    Your position is so important, and applying the Click Your Fingers Rule will help you develop true balance and independence in the saddle. It’s one of the key elements that allows a rider to transition from being a passenger to truly riding their horse.

    What is the Click Your Fingers Rule?

    Well, imagine we (you and I) were in the arena together. You are working on something specific with your horse: walking, trotting, cantering, or even working through grids and over fences. It doesn’t really matter what you are doing. The key point is that you’re riding alone, and I then apply this ‘rule’ to your riding.

    Imagine that I’m with you in the arena and I ‘click my fingers’, whisper ‘abrakedabra’, and your horse vanishes! Gone. Disappears. What we want to focus on is how you land… You ALWAYS want to land on your feet. Always. 

    Now, clearly, I cannot make your horse vanish on demand! However, I hope that by imagining this happening, you will understand how the ‘rule’ works. And when you imagine that your horse is suddenly no longer there, the question becomes ‘where and how would you land?’

    If the answer is on your face or on your bum, it simply means that you are depending on your horse for balance and support rather than being responsible for your own stability in the saddle. And this, if you want to improve as a rider, needs to change.

    Who Are You Depending on for Balance?

    When we start riding, we tend to rely a lot on our horses for balance. Thank goodness for all the school horses and ponies in the world with their endless patience! But in order for your riding to progress, this is something that you have to begin accepting responsibility for.

    You must become responsible for your own balance and stability in the saddle. Applying the ‘Click Your Fingers Rule’ to your riding will help you achieve that by reminding you to correct your alignment – and eventually put it onto autopilot. 

    When you can create your own balance and stability when you ride, you can then begin developing your independent aids. Independent aids lead to clearer communication with your horse. They also lead to an independent seat. The Click Your Fingers Rule will help you start working towards all of these things in your riding.

    Applying the Rule

    There are two simple ‘checks’ you can do every time you’re in the saddle to begin effectively applying this rule to your position and your riding. The first is to make sure that you are indeed sitting correctly in the saddle.  Use your seat bones for guidance. Are they directly underneath you, pointing straight down?

    Many upper body issues and lower leg issues are actually due to incorrect seat issues. If this basic principle is wrong or missing, the ripple effect in your riding is massive. 

    The second ‘check’ applies to the ‘lines’ of your position. Particularly the line that should run through your head, shoulder, hip, and heel. If these elements of your body are aligned, you are usually ‘carrying’ yourself, which means that you are, for the most part, assuming responsibility for your own balance.

    Becoming more aware of, and then regularly applying the Click Your Fingers Rule will allow you to correct your basic position. And after a while, this will become ‘normal’ for you. It will be on autopilot! 

    When To Apply the Rule to Your Position?

    The simple answer is ‘all the time’. Yes, really! Regardless of what you are doing, you should be able to support and balance yourself if your horse were to vanish suddenly or disappear. This means that your basic alignment should be present if you’re walking, trotting, cantering, or even galloping! If you are schooling on the flat, up or down hills, or over fences. It is all the same. If the horse were to vanish at any given point, anywhere in your ride, you should land on your feet.

    You are responsible for your own balance. And when you can apply this most of the time to your riding, you will allow your horse the freedom to begin becoming stronger in his work as well.

    Applying This to Your Position & Riding

    I’ve already mentioned checking your seat. Is it truly ‘underneath‘ you? From here, focus on keeping your legs under you at all times. Often, riders will struggle with a swinging lower leg. A lot of the time, this actually is a symptom of something going on in the seat. So, correct your seat first.

    And if your lower leg is spending too much time at your horse’s shoulders or elbows, if your horse were to vanish, you would land on your backside! Similarly, if your lower leg is swinging too far back towards the flank, you’d land on your face. The rule ALWAYS applies!

    In all of the examples you can think of when it comes to applying the ‘click your fingers’ rule, a strong supple core are absolutely essential. If you find that you’re struggling to maintain your positon or posture, maybe you can focus your efforts here. 

    Making the Transition in Your Riding

    By being consistent with testing yourself using the Click Your Fingers Rule, you bring awareness to your basic position. With time, this will result in you doing what you actually want all of the time without thinking about it. That is autopilot. And when you reach autopilot, you can then focus your attention elsewhere.

    This is where you really begin to make the transition to being a true ‘rider’ in the saddle, rather than a passenger. Now, you can start to pay attention to improving how you and your horse are working together.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More Episodes on This Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Are You ‘Sitting There’? How To Know if You’re Stuck in Passenger Mode!

    You hop into the saddle, ready for a great ride. But before you know it, you’ve spent most of the session adjusting your hands, correcting your position, and just ‘fixing’ yourself. All while your horse just plods along! Sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not alone…

    Ask yourself this: Where is the majority of your attention or focus when you ride? Think back to the very last schooling session with your horse with you in the saddle. Maybe you had a lesson, or perhaps it was just you and your horse working together alone. Who did you focus more on: you and your position, aids, tension, etc., or your horse and how well he was working?

    There comes a point for most riders when they realize that they spend more time focusing on themselves in each training session. Fixing, correcting, reminding themselves to do or be a certain way…

    This is the ‘passenger’ phase of your horse-riding journey. And while all riders must initially go through it, the challenge comes when they unknowingly get stuck there! It’s when you’re focusing so much of your energy in ‘fixing’ yourself that you’re not actually riding the horse! You’re simply ‘sitting there’.

    So, if you’ve been feeling like 80% of your time in the saddle is spent ‘fixing’ and correcting yourself – this article and episode will help you to begin making the shift from passenger to rider.

    Signs You’re Stuck in Passenger Mode

    So there are a few ways you can begin to identify this in your riding. The first and most obvious one is becoming aware of how you spend your time when you’re riding…

      • You spend most of your time in the saddle ‘fixing’ or adjusting your hands, seat, or legs – instead of focusing on your horse’s way of going
      • You actually feel like a passenger the majority of the time in the saddle – your horse is leading you, rather than the other way around, or working together as a team
      • Corners, bends, circles, or transitions seem to happen TO you – rather than because of how you set things up and asked for them!
      • You spend a lot of time trying to find your balance – instead of using your weight aids to positively influence your horse’s way of going

    The ‘Stuck in Passenger Mode’ Test

    Think back over the past 5 rides you’ve had where you wanted to work on something and achieve something with your horse. Where did your focus go for the majority of those rides? If you worked with an instructor or a trainer, what did they spend most of the time working on? You or your horse? And if they had to keep ‘fixing’ or correcting you to work on your horse – the answer is ‘you :)

    Another way to think about this is by assessing your basics in the saddle. If the majority of your time is spent correcting, fixing, stabilizing, or any of the other ‘ings’ your basics, then you are in passenger mode.

    And keep in mind that is not a ‘bad’ thing. Once you realize that this is a very real part of the journey of becoming a more skilled rider, you can start to actively work on transitioning out of it!

    The basics that you will find yourself focusing on are:-

        • Your Position
        • Your Posture
        • Your Aids
        • Bending (and creating a channel with your aids)

    Passenger Versus Rider

    Of course, when you’re stuck in passenger mode, you might wonder, ‘What else is there to actually focus on?’  And the answer is, ‘Oh, lots!’. ‘Riders’ are not spending their time worrying about and ‘fixing’ their position. Or their aids, or posture, etc. They are not obsessing over carrying their hands or keeping their heels down.

    The difference between passengers and riders is that riders are thinking about the best way to communicate and support their horses to get the desired outcome. 

    If they don’t spend the majority of their ride or training session worrying about their position. They are wondering if the horse understands what they are trying to explain. And if they think that maybe there’s a little confusion going on, they are thinking about how to clarify that. How to USE their position or aids to get the most out of their work with their horse. Not just keeping the horse between themselves and the ground!

    Passengers focus most of their energy on fixing their position or aids. Riders don’t have to think about their position; they focus on understanding how the horse is interpreting what they are trying to say…

    Transitioning from Passenger to Rider

    So the first part of creating this transition for yourself is to actually become aware that something has to change! And, hopefully, after reading this post or listening to this episode, you’re already there! The next part will be a little more time-consuming. This is because working through this transition in your riding skills requires putting your basics onto autopilot…

    ‘Riders’ don’t have to worry about their position or aids because they have already invested the time in putting the right basics onto autopilot – they just happen by themselves now and no longer need constant management

    That is a key part of the process to move away from being stuck in passenger mode and move into ‘rider’ mode. Putting the ‘right’ things onto autopilot. This is why riding instructors the world over go on and on about a good position. About good posture and self-carriage. Or can be heard shouting ‘heels down’ all of the time! These things matter.

    If you are in passenger mode now, you can begin carefully curating what you want to put onto autopilot so that you get the best possible results for you and your horse further down the road. 

    Flipping the 80/20 in Your Riding

    So, if right now, you are spending 80% of your time focused on ‘fixing’ or ‘correcting’ your basics (position, posture, aids, and bending), this is leaving only 20% of your time to focus on your horse. This needs to flip if you want to get unstuck and begin actually ‘training’ your horse the way you want.

    Moving away from being stuck in passenger mode requires you to become more aware of what you are doing so that the 80% of time you’re spending focused on ‘you’ now pays off in the long run.

    You want to turn each ride into the opposite of the ‘Passenger 80/20’:-

      • 20% self-awareness → A little time invested intentionally adjusting your alignment, position, aids…
      • 80% riding your horse → So that you can focus on supporting your horse to do his best work

    If 80% of your ride is spent fixing yourself, you’re not riding – you’re just sitting there, often stuck in passenger mode

    Where Should You Begin?

    This will vary for every single rider. Often, it can be worth getting an expert opinion on this initially if you’re unsure. I say this because you might begin to fixate on a specific thing, let’s say a swinging lower leg. When really that is merely a symptom of a forked seat. If you don’t have the knowledge or experience to identify a symptom and a cause, investing in a riding lesson with a knowledgeable instructor will be worth it’s weight in gold.

    Once you’ve figured out the root cause, start there. Spend 3 to 5 minutes at the beginning of every ride intentionally correcting this. Then, build checkpoints throughout your ride to check in on how you’re doing. 

    You will have to correct a lot initially. This is absolutely normal and to be expected. And this is often the work many riders are not willing to do! Again, this is also why riding instructors keep repeating the same things over and over. They are doing the ‘checking in’ for the riders!

    Only when you’ve been consistently doing the correct thing for a length of time will that then become a habit. Your body and brain will put it on ‘autopilot’. And this is what frees you up to focus on something else.

    Putting Your Basics on Autopilot

    If you want to move out of being stuck in passenger mode and begin transitioning into being a ‘rider’ for your horse, I can help. I truly believe that spending 9 to 12 weeks focusing on this is long enough to create a transformation in your riding.

    I can help you do this by putting the correct things onto autopilot in your riding, inside of the Returning to Riding Program. You can find more details over at https://returningtoriding.com

    The Returning to Riding Program is designed to move you out of the passenger seat and into confident, intentional riding. Join us and start riding with purpose!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More Episodes on This Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-