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Canter to Improve the Trot

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Have you noticed how, very often, there are only two ‘gears’ when trotting; a good, forward trot or a bland, shuffle trot? However, changing from the latter to the former can often be one of the more difficult aspects of trotting. If so, have you ever considered using the canter to improve the trot?

Sounds too good to be true, but very often a good, forward canter can be the simple catalyst from that mediocre flat shuffle, to that wonderful springy and engaged trot.

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However, like everything worth doing in life, the canter must be of good quality, and the transitions both into and out of the canter from the trot will often dictate just how effective this technique will be to your horse’s schooling.

What Makes a Good Trot?

So, before we go any further, let’s chat quickly about what exactly makes a good trot. The trot itself is usually quite easy to establish a rhythm, the 1.. 2.. 1.. 2.. almost setting itself up each stride. The trouble for many riders is then regulating the tempo of that rhythm.

If the rhythm is the 1.. 2.. 1.. 2.. the tempo is how often that 1.. 2.. rhythm occurs in any set period of time or distance.

For example, take the long side of a 60m arena. By adjusting the tempo of the trot rhythm, you can either have a lot of ‘quick’ 12121212s occurring, or you can have fewer 1…… 2…… 1…… 2……. happening in the same distance.

So when many riders begin trotting, establishing the rhythm and tempo is often not a problem. But as soon as they begin to make adjustments to the trot, one (usually the tempo) or both can very quickly become erratic. Those adjustments can be half halts, shortening the stride, lengthening the stride, or asking for a transition either up or down to a different gait, or within the gait itself.

In fact, even just beginning to activate the hind quarters and connect the horse a little more very often results in a loss of rhythm and tempo. This is where we see many horses either begin to run in the trot, or become heavy and lean on the rider’s hand.

Canter to Improve the Trot

Riding the canter to improve the trot will help riders to firstly become more quiet in the saddle. It also improves the riders skills in noticing if the gait itself is a quality one to begin with

Because of the transitions between trot and canter, riders may want to rather ride in a sitting trot when riding the trot. However, I strongly suggest just using the sitting trot for the actual transition. Post or rise to the trot when working in the trot. The reason I say this is because, in order to improve the quality of the trot, the horse must first engage his hindquarters.

For this to happen, the energy being created there must be allowed to connect through, underneath the rider and saddle, from the back to the front

Using Your Energy Wisely

However, it has been my experience that when working between trot and canter for any length of time, riders tire quickly. This causes them to begin ’slouching’ through their upper body and this, in turn, results in them ‘shutting down’ that flow of energy necessary for the horse to truly work in a quality trot.

So, for the duration of this exercise, I suggest working in rising or posting to the trot where you can, to give both yourself and your horses back a little break!

Start with ‘Forward’

Start by asking your horse to work in what you would consider a forward-going ‘working trot’. Focus on the rhythm and then the tempo, particularly as you work through corners or change rein. Can your horse remain to maintain consistency in both? Many riders wonder if the trot is indeed a ‘working trot’.

The next part of the exercise will quickly tell you either way if your trot is working, or shuffling!

Using Half Halts to Prepare

Begin to prepare your horse for canter. Use your half halts, but all the while paying close attention to the aforementioned rhythm and tempo. I also think noticing how straight your horse remains through the transition is important. Do his hindquarters swing or drift? Does he ‘curl’ around your inside leg? Or perhaps he is bracing against your inside leg…? If you notice any of the above, take this as your cue to begin working through these more basic evasions, before you allow your horse to canter.

You may find maintaining the rhythm and, in particular, tempo as your horse transitions into canter from the trot rather difficult. This is what your focus should be on throughout the schooling session.

Think of ‘you ask – he responds’

Working Forward in the Canter

Once in the canter, firstly make sure the canter is moving forward and actually taking you somewhere. One of the reasons we can use the canter to improve the trot is because the canter often has naturally more energetic and rolling energy with it. Having to push and kick at every stride is not forward. But it is important to note that allowing your horse to run like a wild thing around the arena is also not a forward canter.

The canter can be classed as ‘forward’ if the energy is taking you somewhere and that somewhere is dictated by you. You can influence where it goes and how much is allowed ‘out’ at any give time in the gait

The Canter to Trot Transition

Once you have indeed established a forward canter, you can begin thinking about transitioning back into the trot. Again, maintaining the rhythm and tempo is vitally important. What is also important is the fact that you ‘allow’ your horse to trot.

There is a split second, that you will feel, when your horse actually takes that step that transitions him from the canter into the trot. In order to do this he must ‘land’ into the trot. And you must ‘allow’ or ‘soften’ through your hand so he can indeed move forward into the trot

This is also where I suggest posting or rising from the first step. This way, when you have ‘allowed’ him to continue to move forward, that energy in his hind quarters can indeed connect with the front end. It will feel like he is ‘swinging’ underneath you.

Feeling the Difference to the Trot

Many riders find that the first time they really ride a good trot with their horse, the bounce is a little too much for them. Again, rising or posting will help you initially. Then, later, as you become more supple and allowing through your body, you can start moving with your horse and this new energy in sitting trot.

You can use the canter to improve the trot both in the saddle and on the ground. The same principles can be applied when lunging your horse with the added bonus of actually being able to see the results, rather than feel them

Keep in mind that in order for your horse to improve and develop himself, it is your responsibility to establish and maintain that straightness, rhythm, and tempo. Work towards being able to move up and down, through your horse’s gears, without losing any of the above.

It is also vital that your horse continues to ‘move forward’ at all times; taking you somewhere.

Happy Riding
Lorna

Improve Your Canter Program

4 weeks of self-study with easy-to-follow audio horse riding lessons that will help you to transform your canter – and your aids in your riding. Suitable for riders who are just getting started with canter, and riders who want to improve both their abilities and their horse’s canter.

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Connection; The Online Resource for Riders

This podcast is the first in a series of five on this specific topic which were created for Daily Strides Premium, now know as Connection. Every month you will get audio horse riding lessons to listen to as you work your horse. Connection is created to help riders working alone, without a trainer or coach, to continue to both improve their riding AND train their horse.

All of the audio programs are step-by-step instructions for you to follow while riding your horse. All of your lessons are available, on your phone, using a Private Podcast Feed.

All of the details are available at https://stridesforsuccess.com/join. The membership is risk free, with no contracts. You can cancel any time. I would love to have you on a lesson soon :)

July 12, 2016
Communicate with Your Horse Through Groundwork – Part 2 Pressure & Release

Groundwork, when referring to horses, simply means working with your horse from the ground in order to train and increase communication skills. In this blog post we are going to focus on ‘Pressure and Release’ and how you can begin to correctly and fully understand the concept in order to further your horse’s training from the ground.

This is part 2 of a full series dedicated to Groundwork from Strides for Success. Part 1 which explains the basics and then moves into specifically dealing with ‘Touch’ can be found HERE >>

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When we are in the saddle, most riders and trainers will use the concept of pressure and release to communicate with the horse, from the saddle, what they want the horse to do. Pressure and release is viewed as ‘negative reinforcement’ in that when you apply the pressure, you are placing the horse in a somewhat uncomfortable situation. However as soon as the horse makes a move towards the direction you desire, you reward him by removing the discomfort; or pressure. This is the release part of the work.

What is important to note however is the word ‘discomfort’ and how we view applying this to the horse in any given situation. I personally do not believe that the level of pressure being applied must be painful for the horse. Think of discomfort as being literally a hoof step out of the horse’s current ‘comfort zone’. By gradually, over time, increasing the comfort zone, you can train your horse using the pressure and release concept, without ever raising their anxiety levels.

Raising your horse’s anxiety levels, regardless of the situation, rarely will produce a positive outcome. I have found that the pressure works best when it asks the horse to think a little differently and when it is applied by a person they have learned to trust. If you apply pressure to the point where it causes pain, that trust will be eroded – and we all know how difficult it is to rebuild trust when broken.

This brings us to the other all important aspects that makes the ‘pressure and release’ way of training work; timing and amounts of pressure applied. Having worked with riders who are literally just beginning their journey into the world of horses, these are often the most difficult parts of teaching this way of working with horses.

The challenge seems to lie in the fact that every situation is different, regardless of the horse or the circumstances. Factors such as the weather, the time of day or even just how the sun is creating shadows can lead to having to adjust the approach and the technique used. It is learning how to assess this and then proceed confidently that trips many riders up

I used the word confidently there on purpose; another factor that dictates a successful outcome when using the pressure and release system when training is the mindset of the rider, both before, during and after the groundwork or riding session with the horse. If you want your horse to become comfortable ‘stretching’ his comfort zone, you must be comfortable and certain of how you ask and the consequences of asking that question.

Any hesitation on your part will be seen as uncertainty to the horse, and quite frankly, would you trust someone who seemed a little ‘iffy’ about something? I didn’t think so! Therefore, don’t expect the horse to do so either.

So taking all this into account, how can you being incorporating pressure and release into your groundwork sessions in a way that will positively benefit your horse later when under the saddle?

Start slowly and have a plan for every action you take with your horse. It sounds pretty simple, but you would be surprised how many riders launch into something with no idea of just how they want the outcome to look like or feel like… Let’s take something simple like asking your horse to move over in the stable. Firstly, do you want him to ‘pivot’ around his front end, or are you asking him to move his entire body over? Secondly, how far over are you wanting him to move? And finally, are you confident enough to remain in charge, even if things don’t go quite as planned?

Now, bear in mind that the more you work with your horse, the more this will just become second nature; I rarely have to consciously ask myself these questions as I do this daily with horses. But if it is either you or your horses first time, very often becoming clear on the desired outcome before you begin is the vital key to your success.

So, assuming that you have indeed thought about all the above, you can begin to position yourself in the best possible place to make this happen. Remain calm and confident as you move around your horse and realise that once you have committed, you will most likely have to remain in this ‘moment’ until he makes even the slightest move in the direction you desire. I find that placing your hand on his body where your leg will be later if you were to ask a similar movement when riding is the best way to approach this. However, you can also work with your horse moving away from the pressure regardless of where your hand is placed; hindquarters etc.

The next consideration on your part is the amount of pressure applied. This varies depending on so many factors; the horse itself, the area you are touching, the type of touch etc. Start off with the smallest amount of pressure possible and then gradually build the amount you are exerting until your horse begins to respond.

The response of the horse will dictate the ‘timing’ factor I spoke of earlier. It is vitally important that in order for this to work, you must reward the horse for the slightest move towards what you are desiring. The reward is the release of the pressure. Now, depending on the horse and, again, the circumstances, you can release the pressure slightly and then increase again if you want him to move further over. Or you can release the pressure all together however I personally don’t suggest taking your hand away as this will rather train the horse to ‘run away’ from pressure, rather than react to it.

You can also verbally reward your horse, something I highly recommend incorporating into your everyday interactions with your horse. I personally use a higher pitched tone when communicating a ‘reward’ to my horses, this way they understand what they did was correct and it is something that can later be transferred over to their training when being ridden under saddle.

What you will find, if done correctly, is that when you consistently take the same approach each and every time, the amount of pressure you will have to use to enact the desired response will lessen. This is what many riders call ‘lightness’, whether it be on the ground or in the saddle.

The pressure and release training methods can be used in many different ways when working with your horse. From asking them to move over in the stable, to asking them to walk forward. It is one of the most successful ways of training horses when being ridden and it can even be used, without touching the horse at all. This happens when you replace physical pressure with a more subtle ‘body language’ pressure.

Regardless of how it is used, the concepts of understand what you want, noticing the amount of pressure, timing the pressure and the release and then being consistent and confident throughout is vital to this working with your horse.

Happy Riding

Lorna

This is the first of a five audio programs, taking you step by step through applying these principles with your horse. The other four programs can be downloaded to your phone and then listened to as you work with your horse, helping to ensure your success when applying this method of training. You can visit www.stridesforsuccess.com/join/ for more details.

As mentioned above, this is the second in a series of trainings on how to correctly apply groundwork techniques when working and training your horse. The first in the series – Touch – and all following sections of this topic are all included inside of Daily Strides Premium. If you would like to find out more about how you can access over 600 audio horse riding lessons, including the groundwork lessons, you can visit www.stridesforsuccess.com/join/

July 5, 2016
Improving Rider Coordination

Coordination; It’s always a wonderful feeling when you can do something effectively without having to put too much thought or effort into it. Being able to cultivate this skill, regardless of what is being done, takes a large number of hours invested in practice. However in order for that practice to be beneficial, it must be correct or perfect practice.

This is the one element that trips many riders up when it comes to having more coordination in the saddle. Hours are spent moving through particular school shapes, years dedicated to specific movements; however unless the practice is correct and performed in the correct sequence, the benefits will be slow to appear – assuming they ever do.

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Watching a rider who is coordinated riding side by side with one who is not is like watching a chicken trying to keep up with an eagle in the flight department! It is one of the most decisive factors in the outcome of each ride and quite unique in that each rider’s coordination, whether it be good or bad, has very little to do with the horse underneath the saddle.

You know that as a rider, being able to communicate with your horse about what you would like him to do requires you to apply a particular set of aids, in a specific sequence. In fact, many different movements or directions we give to our horses have similar, if not the same aids, but it is how and when they are applied that make the difference.

Improved rider coordination makes the communication between horse and rider more fluent, more subtle and more effective

For those with a lack of coordination, each movement must first be thought out in their head – a list of sorts created out of the aids that must be applied to achieve that particular goal. But having to think things through, step by step, almost ensures that the subtleties which make all the difference, go unused and forgotten. Things like the amount of pressure applied, or how long an aid is held, or making quick adjustments to timing, sequence, and pressure as necessary.

Essentially, being coordinated in the saddle means that you can perform the ‘sequence’ of aids without having to consciously think about it; leaving you open to rather focus on the more subtle aspects of your aids and course correcting as the movement progresses

So how can we be sure that our practice is indeed helping to improve our coordination in the saddle? Let’s focus on the idea of perfect practice. I see a lot of riders in the saddle who are happy with mediocre ways of doing things, particularly the basics. I think that riding must be fun and enjoyable, but a large part of that enjoyment is getting the basics right from the start. There are times with riders when I feel that they are really and truly just wasting time, money, and energy because they do not see the importance of creating a strong and solid foundation from where they can then grow their skills.

Things like how you are sitting in the saddle. How you use your core to communicate with your horse – from the first time in the saddle. Where your leg is in relation to your body. Carrying your hands. Opening up your chest as you ride. As an instructor, there is nothing as frustrating as having to repeat the same thing to a rider, week in and week out.

What is most ironic is that those same riders, who won’t take responsibility for their own body in the saddle are very often the ones who are very quick to blame the horse or circumstance for their lack of progress

Becoming responsible for your body and how it moves in the saddle is something you can begin doing today. Is there one thing that you consistently do that you can start working with right now? For me, it was a tendency to allow my left hand to ‘turn’. My right hand remained where it should be, but my left hand… Knuckles on top and, if left to its own devices, it would dip an inch or three lower than its partner. It was something that, once it was pointed out to me, I became so aware of every time I was in the saddle. I would set myself a goal in each training session; not have my trainer mention my wayward left hand once in the time we were together. Initially, I had to continuously ‘check’ myself; I created little markers around the arena where a mental alarm bell went off to ‘fix my left hand’. It was exhausting, but it worked – In fact to this day I subconsciously correct my left hand when riding; without ever having to remind myself to do so.

The challenge for many riders is that they are not willing to make correcting one thing a habit to begin with. But becoming almost obsessed with the most basic of your riding faults and committing to ‘fixing’ it before even thinking about moving on to the next one is the most effective way to make your practice as perfect as it can be. One of the other benefits of doing this is that once that basic building block is in place, a lot of other issues you thought you had will vanish. Many riding faults are merely symptoms of a larger, and more basic, fault to begin with.

Putting that fault on ‘autopilot’, so to speak, frees your thinking brain up so you can begin focusing on the more intricate and subtle aspects of communicating with your horse when in the saddle

Create small checkpoints around the arena to remind yourself to ‘fix’ that fault. In doing so, you are building systems within your own schooling sessions, regardless of if you have a trainer with you or not, to help make your practice become better and better each time.

Another way to improve your coordination in the saddle is by physically improving your body and how it can handle itself. It always amazes me how riders will spend weeks, months and years planning their horses fitness program – while never giving a single thought to their own physical performance in the saddle

Having taken some longer breaks from riding at different times over the years, I can tell you from first-hand experience that very often when I get back into the saddle often feels like my brain and body and speaking a different language! My brain knows what to do and how to achieve a particular outcome, but my body just physically can’t / won’t respond in order to carry the aids out. It is the most frustrating thing about being out of the saddle for any sort of period of time; in fact at 6 months pregnant right now, I am wondering if my body will ever feel like it used to again!

I see a similar situation with riders who only get into the saddle once a week. We spend the first half of our time together ‘re-tuning’ their aids and coordination in order for them to be able to really begin riding. However there is a way to mitigate this; whether it be a prolonged break from riding like myself, or longer periods between less frequent rides like some of my students – exercise.

Fitness and exercise are like everything else, you get out what you put in. The quality of the movements and how well they translate across to your riding is what matters. For more information on how to become a better version of you in the saddle, you can visit https://equestrianfitnesschallenge.com.

This topic is fleshed out into individual exercises for you to ride that will begin today helping you to improve your coordination when in the saddle. There are 4 additional audio programs for you to download and listen to on your phone that will take you to step by step through putting those basic ‘fixes’ on autopilot, allowing you to free up your thinking brain for the more complex parts of riding a horse!

If you are interested in getting this full week of audio programs, as well as access to over 600 other audio programs that will take you step by step through different topics about horse riding, visit www.stridesforsuccess.com/join/ to find out more.

Happy Riding
Lorna

June 28, 2016
Reforming a Horse with a Habit of Running Out

You’re cantering along, the jump firmly in your sights, getting ready for your horse to take off… When all of a sudden he begins to ‘veer’ a little off course. Before you know it, the jump flies past you, to one side… Your horse has, once again, proven that he is the master of running out at a fence! [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/656-Reforming-a-Horse-with-a-Habit-of-Running-Out.mp3″ title=”Reforming a Horse with a Habit of Running Out” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Is your horse pretty special at jumping; in that he is special at dropping the shoulder and ducking?! Here’s what to do…” hashtag=”equestrian #horseriding” twitter_username=”strides_success” ] Frustrating, right? Particularly when it seems to happen regardless of what you do. Or how you do it. In fact for many riders, it feels like they spend more time running out at fences than actually jumping any at all!
The unfortunate side of this is that the more confident your horse becomes with being able to sidestep a jump, the more often he will do it.
And the more he does it, the better he becomes at dropping that shoulder and ducking to the side.
Running Out…
Running out is a common problem many riders face when they begin jumping more demanding fences. Now, more demanding can mean 50cm to one person and 1m to another.
Horses who have learned to employ the running out technique rarely discriminate on fence heights and types!
However, what is important to note is that it generally happens when there is an actual jumping effort required.
For the rest of this blog post we are going to assume that you have eliminated all the obvious reasons that your horse might not want to jump; teeth, back, tack, soreness, sickness, being overfaced, tiredness etc. This blog post is about horses who have learned to use running out as an easier alternative to jumping the actual fence.

How Running Out is Different to a Refusal
Many riders confuse running out with refusals. Perhaps this is because they are penalised similarly. However it is good to remember that running out and refusing a jump are two very different things.
When your horse refuses, he generally stops in front of the fence. Think of a grinding, sliding halt.
Refusals can have many causes and reasons; many of which are to do with a horse not feeling confident or comfortable jumping the fence.
Running out, on the other hand, is when your horse maintains his forward momentum, however he changes course in front of the fence and simply canters or trots past the fence to one side.
It can sometimes also be caused by overfacing the horse, however I have found that most horses who become skilled at running out, do so because the rider is allowing it to happen…
Running Out and The Rider…
“What?!”, you say. “I do not ‘allow’ him to run out! He just does it himself and there is nothing I can do to stop him!!”
And that there is probably the biggest stumbling block most riders meet when trying to reform a horse who has mastered the art of running out. They try to fix it by working over fences or jumps
Almost all cases of running out can actually find their roots way back in the basic flatwork schooling, or lack of, in the horse. What generally tends to happen is the horse has been jumping quite happily, popping fences without question. But one day, for whatever reason, he takes a chance and dives out the side door… The mere fact he was able to change course like that, usually without repercussions, is enough to plant a seed that perhaps – if the right opportunity presents itself – he can do it again!
The Path of Least Resistance

Sounds devious, but don’t worry, I am not suggesting your horse has some evil or mischievous tendencies; he has just found the path of least resistance and has decided to take it!
The downside to having a horse who has a talent for running out is that reforming him is often a long journey. This is particularly true if the rider he runs out with is the one accompanying him on this journey. Again, this is because very often it is the rider’s lack of ‘riding’ that has given him the opportunity to take the side door to begin with. But, it can be done. It will just take a lot of consistency, time, firmness and pure concentration from the rider to get there.
Correcting the Rider First
So, as mentioned earlier, the rider makes all the difference when dealing with a horse who has developed a knack for spotting a side door and running out. It may be due to the rider getting into their jumping position too early. This is essentially dropping the contact. When the contact is dropped, your horse is left to his own devices. Again, if so inclined, he will take the path of least resistance or the easiest route!
Running out may also be caused by the rider not using their legs, seat and hands to correctly ‘channel’ the horse’s energy and direct it where they want.
Just like if the banks of a river are weak and the water runs out, so too will your horse if your legs are not being used to shut down those tendencies and keep him moving forward to where you want him to go
Riding a Line
The third most common reason I see horses running out is due to their riders taking a less than straight approach to the fence or jump.
There is no ‘line’ to the fence. Nothing connecting the approach to the getaway.
This often results in the horse meeting the fence at an odd angle. Which essentially opens a door and allows him to simply canter on past.
Approaching with Too Much Speed
The final reason I want to mention, before we begin talking about solutions is that the horse is allowed to become too fast to the fence. Due to the speed of the approach, the rider has no control over the horse.
All the energy is running out the front like a freight train. And just like that freight train; once it begins to derail, a whole army would find it difficult to get it back on track.

Working on ‘Over’ Rather Than ‘Around’…
So, now that we have placed the cause of the running out squarely in the riders court, we can begin working on how to re-school and reform the horse, so he goes over rather than around. When we ride, we often hear the term between leg and hand. Put simply this means that the energy you are creating with your legs, is being directed to where and how you want it used with your hand. Now, obviously things are a little more complicated that that, however, the basic principle is true when riding.
When you’re dealing with a horse who likes to take the side door, the connection between your leg and hand is not a very strong one.
Simply put, there are holes there that your horse, if so inclined, can take advantage of. Begin by practicing how you channel this forwardness and movement in your horse.
Strengthening Your ‘Channel’

Focus on straightness throughout his body when being ridden, and on the level of responsiveness to your aids
Your horse should remain straight and true when being worked on the flat. If you find him becoming crooked or ‘veering’ when working, quickly and quietly correct him. He should then be responsive enough to your aids, particularly your leg in this situation.
I also find that working on the centre or quarter lines is a good test of this straightness.
From here, you can also begin working on implementing better half halts. This will help you to ‘steady’ things a little when you approach the fence.
Gathering Energy on the Approach
As I mentioned above, sometimes the approach to the fence is just too long, fast and strung out for you to keep the connection between leg and hand. The energy is all running out the front. This allows your horse to take advantage of this lack of direction. Practice applying the half halt, while continuing to move forward where you want to go. It will help to ensure you gather the energy, rather than allow it to run out.
You may find that as you begin closing those ‘side exits’ that once existed for your horse and his energy, there is a lot more energy there underneath you which needs to be directed.
This is another reason why working on perfecting your half halts is vitally important, otherwise your horse may begin to run…
Using Ground Poles
Another thing you can begin practicing, before you attempt jumping again, is working over ground poles. This is good for both you and your horse. You get to learn how to ‘wait’ for your horse to go over the pole, before following him over.
Your horse has the opportunity to become familiar with the concept of working over the centre of the pole. Ride a perfectly straight line on the approach, over the jump and continuing on with the getaway on landing
Because you are channelling him between your leg and hand, all side exits have been shut. The only way forward is the one which you present by riding him straight to where you want him to go. Running out is a frustrating and often costly habit where penalties are concerned. However, before you lay the blame at your horse’s door, it is one of those challenges that very often has its roots in the rider’s own tendencies. This may be a bitter pill to swallow, however knowing that you may just be the reason also means that you are the key to banishing those pesky side dives and running out into the past; for good! Happy Riding Lorna This podcast episode and blog post is an overview of this weeks topic, running out. The other four audio programs are step by step exercises and instructions you can listen to while in the saddle. They help you to begin working through this problem with your horse.
You can purchase the full 5 audio trainings for this topic HERE
It is like having a riding instructor with you in the arena. The lessons are simply downloaded to your phone and are then ready to listen to while you are in the saddle.
You can listen to the over and over again, until both you and your horse are popping the centre of those jumps; every time!

Daily Strides Premium
Daily Strides Premium is packed full of audio trainings you can listen to anywhere you can bring your phone (including on your horse). They will help you work towards your goal of having better conversations with your horse, both in and out of the saddle. You will also be able to create a plan for your rides and review what has happened when you join in on the monthly ‘Review and Planning’ call. In there, you will go step by step through the month that was. You then take that information and begin planning out the coming month. When you will ride. What you will work on. And of course all aligned with your goals for you and your horse.
Do you need to be competing? No! Do you need to have competitive goals or ambitions? No again!
In fact, I love working with riders who just ‘enjoy’ their horse; helping them to build and strengthen their relationship. No competitions necessary ;)
Couple this with the live Q&As and the members only private group ~ we are here to help you remain accountable as team leader for you and your horse.
All of the trainings are easily accessed using your phone, meaning that you can take them with you where ever you are going. These trainings and so much more are available for you immediately when you join Daily Strides Premium. Find out more HERE

June 14, 2016
Exercises to Improve Your Horses Coordination

Have you ever experienced moments when ‘lack of coordination’ seems to be the best description for you while in riding your horse? It often leads to feelings of clumsiness and a general lack of confidence in your abilities, right? Well, imagine how it feels when your horse suffers a similar lack of coordination; lack of balance leading to an uncomfortable ride for both of you.

This lack of coordination in horses is often associated with fitness and general conditioning, and this is partly true. Your horse’s general fitness levels, or lack thereof, can play a large part in his overall ability to remain in a balanced way of going. However, there are other factors that also play a large part in how well your horse can use his body, particularly when in a different or unfamiliar situation.

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Take your own coordination as an example; if you were to do a task that you do regularly, such as making a cup of tea or coffee in your own kitchen, you would find that your actions happen as though your body is on autopilot. However, if I asked you over to my house to make some tea; you would find it much more difficult to do pretty simple tasks.

The same principles apply to your horse, if it is something he does a day in and day out, his body has already figured out the best and most effective way for it to do that particular movement or task. It is smooth and probably looks graceful and simple because it is done in balance in a way he feels comfortable. However, just like your own tea making capabilities, when you begin to add different factors to your horse’s schooling, or change scenarios, things can become rather wobbly quite quickly!

You have to agree that most young horses look wonderfully coordinated while in the field however, as soon as a rider is placed on their back it suddenly seems becomes a rather large effort to continue with one foot in front of the other without falling over! This is the horse having to learn or adapt to a different situation – this particular one being having a rider on board

We also see older horses struggling with coordination. Particularly when they are ridden all the time in a beautifully manicured and maintained arena. They are used to having perfect footing underneath. But if you take them out of the arena, maybe on the trail or into an appropriate paddock or field; well things are very different. The rhythm and balance are suddenly lost and it almost feels like the horse has forgotten all his past training. Sure, you will have moments where it feels good, but for the most part, it is a disjointed effort that pales in comparison to when he is working in his comfort zone.

When we are in the saddle, it is always a great advantage when your horse can adapt immediately to different situations you may find yourself in, quickly and without a break in balance or rhythm

So the first step in improving your horse’s coordination is highlighting the quality of your transitions. This is something you can begin working on immediately when riding your horse the next time. Focus on the balance and consistent rhythm of each individual transition. Pay attention that your horse is not speeding up the tempo of the gait he is in before the transition. Also, work on establishing the new gait as quickly as possible after the transition. By becoming more concise and specific about how you prepare, and then ride each individual transition, you can begin conditioning your horse to balance himself better and adapt to different situations with greater ease.

Don’t make the mistake of only working in the more exciting transitions, such as trot to canter and canter to trot. Transitions that include halt, walk, and trot are equally as beneficial and often easier for the rider to be more consistent through. Again, focus on the quality of the gait leading up to the transition, maintain that gait right the way until the transition occurs. The transition itself should be coordinated, straight and smooth, and then followed by a good quality gait afterward as well.

The second thing you can do is working some lateral movement into his schooling routines. Think of the transitions as really working him while moving in a straight line, tail to head. The lateral movement then works him sideways, so working his body differently and forcing him to balance differently. Very often horses that can adapt and who have good coordination are able to remain in balance while moving sideways. Practicing this in the arena will begin to develop your horse’s ability to do this as well, with you on his back.

One of the other ways to improve your horse’s coordination is to work him over ground poles. He must become very aware of how he is moving his body and where he is placing his hooves. Groundpoles also helps coordination by improving the physical strength of your horse’s back. They ask more of his joints, his back, and his whole topline in general. All this while remaining balanced and moving forward in a rhythmic manner is excellent for him.

You can use single groundpoles placed randomly around the arena, with your horse having to ride different shapes to reach. You can also use basic trotting poles, either flat on the ground or raised, and later you can build simple grids.

Regardless of how you use the poles, they will definitely help your horse to become more aware of his feet and legs while being worked in the arena and build muscle and strength while doing so

The final suggestion I have for you to begin improving your horse’s coordination is hill work. I am not talking about steep, grueling inclines that exhaust your horse; rather mild inclines that ask him to use himself slightly differently, but in doing so, strengthen and condition his body. You can work up and down the hills, and later once you are both happily walking and trotting up and down, you can begin asking different questions by introducing transitions into his hill work.

Maintaining the rhythm of the gait while working and down hills is difficult for many horses. It is also different because most hills will be either on the trail or in a paddock or field, making the footing or terrain a little less accommodating as well

So improving your horse’s coordination won’t happen overnight, it will take time. By working some of these exercises into your daily schooling, or warming up and cooling down, you will help your horse reach a greater level of coordination throughout his body, which will make riding more enjoyable for both of you in the long run.

Happy Riding
Lorna

This blog post and podcast episode is an introduction to 5 audio programs on this specific topic, taking you step by step through exercises you can ride that will improve your horse’s coordination. The other programs are created with riding in mind and listening to them is literally like having a riding instructor with you while you school your horse. The lessons are easy to download onto your phone and then use when in the arena.

To find out more about how you can get this week’s lessons, as well as over 600 others, you can visit www.stridesforsuccess.com/join/.

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May 31, 2016
Communicate with Your Horse through Groundwork – Part 1 Touch

How much time do you spend strengthening your relationship with your horse while on the ground? Many riders only think in terms of ‘riding’ when they think of communicating with their horse. However there are many other ways you can begin to not only create a stronger sense of trust but also to improve your horse’s overall training.

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Groundwork is really exactly what it sounds like. It is working with your horse while being on the ground, rather than in the saddle. Unfortunately many riders see this work as being a means to an end while starting or backing young horses. This is completely untrue.

In fact, groundwork is something that can help develop your overall conversation with your horse, regardless of where you are in your training or development.

Groundwork can be beneficial at any point in your horse’s life. From a young, unstarted and nervous 2-year-old, to an older 20 plus senior

How ‘Good’ Groundwork Can Help You & Your Horse

The benefits of working with your horse on the ground are far-reaching for both horse and rider. It helps to build trust and to establish certain ‘personal space’. This helps to build respect for you as your horse’s leader.

Working with your horse from the ground allows you to get to know what is ‘normal’ for your horse, both emotionally and physically. Groundwork will also help to begin desensitising your horse.

Groundwork allows you to being instilling basic training principles that can be transferred across to training while in the saddle later

From a health perspective, different types of groundwork can help promote circulation, loosen or relax stiff or tense muscles. It also allows your horse to become familiar with you touching more sensitive areas of his body without fear or apprehension.

Using Groundwork To Compliment Your Riding

I really feel that we are constantly communicating with our horses, not just when our bums touch down in the saddle. Groundwork is a great way of keeping the conversation, and often training, moving forward when riding is not possible.

This can be for any number of reasons; time constraints, injury, weather or just to add something different to your horse’s training plan or schedule.

Groundwork can be used to either explain principles that you will or are using in the saddle. Correct groundwork will also strengthen your aids and overall communication when you are riding.

In fact, I am a huge believer of using the necessary ‘groundwork’ that happens before rides to help relax and set the tone of the overall conversation for the ride.

Using ‘Touch’ to Work with Your Horse

In this particular blog post I want to focus on groundwork relating to touch. More specifically, how you can begin incorporating massage, stroking and basic touch techniques into your training with your horse that will be enjoyable and educational for both of you.

So, before we go any further, it is important to note that in order to work with your horse, you will need to be in a safe and suitable environment. Very often when your horse is being massaged, he might become so relaxed that any sudden or different movements or noise can cause an unexpected reaction from him. This could potentially lead to accidents. It is also important to wear your helmet at all times when working near or around your horse. Once you have chosen a suitable location you can then begin working with your horse.

It may sound a little strange, but the attitude and energy you approach your horse with can play a big part in how your horse reacts to you and your touch. Keep your mind calm. Free of stress and, just like when you ride, try to remain focused on the task at hand throughout the groundwork session.

Being relaxed and feeling confident and present is vitally important to the success of your work, whether it be on the ground or in the saddle, with your horse

Respecting Boundaries and Personal Space

Do you, like many riders, only think of boundaries and respect from your own point of view? We need to also give our horses the option of saying ‘no’ if they feel uncomfortable.

Obviously the types of touches or work you can do with your horse will depend on the relationship you have with your horse. Nervous or anxious horses should be approached in a sensitive manner and only touched where they allow you to.

The aim is to build trust, so forcing any particular connection or touching of a certain area will only serve to damage that fragile relationship, not strengthen it.

Your horse will let you know what he is happy with. Look for signals from him such as yawning or licking and chewing. This generally occurs when your horse is feeling relaxed and enjoying the proceedings. Pinning their ears, lots of anxious, tense movements or lifting the head or tail higher will rather tell you to leave well enough alone.

Staying Inside of the ‘Comfort Zone’

At any point if your horse becomes uncomfortable with what you are doing, go back to a place where they are happy and rather work there for a while. It may take a few sessions before you have built up enough trust to move on from there. Also keep in mind that, just like us, there may be days that your horse just does not want to be massaged or touched!

There are many different ways you can use your hands that will promote a different feeling in your horse’s body. Again, the key is finding what your horse is comfortable with initially and then working on from there.

I suggest beginning with just stroking the neck, shoulder and back area where the saddle would sit. Use your whole palms and fingers and rub in the direction the hair lies naturally

One of the easiest ways to promote a bond is to always have one hand on your horse. You can do this by making sure the hand finishing the one stroke remains on your horse until your other hand begins the next stroke.

Pay Attention to the Pressure You’re Applying

Think about the pressure you are applying as well. Start each stroke with a soft pressure and build to where you want. Then finishing the stroke with a similar pressure to where you began.

Very often the amount of pressure will depend on your horse and the area you are working on, but most often horses enjoy something around what you would apply when using a rubber curry comb or similar.

Too soft and it may tickle or annoy your horse, too hard and your horse may find it uncomfortable or even a little sore.

Experiment with What Works for Your Horse

Once you have worked over the neck, shoulder and back area like this, you can begin experimenting with using your hands in different ways. One such way is using your hand to move the skin in small circles on a particular area. Simply lay your hand on your horse’s coat and, applying a little more pressure with the sides of your palm and fingers, begin moving your hand in a small slow circle. Your hand will not move from the area, rather just move the skin around over the muscle underneath in that specific area.

Again, while you are doing this with your one hand, keep your other hand on your horse to help promote that feeling of connection between you

Finally, you can also begin to loosen out the neck and crest area by gently squeezing there with your hands. Just like it feels good for you to have your hair slightly and gently tugged or squeezed, it also is an enjoyable feeling for your horse. Start at the withers and work up towards the poll. Only go as far as your horse is comfortable with and then begin working your way back towards the withers again.

Keep in mind that even though your horse might not enjoy you working near his ears or head initially, consistent calm work like this will encourage him to trust you. This will eventually lead to him allowing you to work around his head and ears in a safe manner

Touch Is Just One Element of Groundwork

Groundwork is a big topic. There are so many different ways you can begin using this both in the stable and the arena. In the next blog post, which you can find HERE, I discuss the concept of pressure and release. This is a foundational principle to you successfully working with your horse on the ground, and in the saddle.

Taking the time to truly connect and work with your horse through groundwork will add a whole new dimension to both your training and your relationship with each other. I suggest starting today with your horse and see where it leads you both.

Happy Riding
Lorna

Save Your Seat for the Upcoming Live Online Training HERE

If you are interested in learning more about incorporating touch into your groundwork training with your horse, we have created a full series of audio trainings, inside of Daily Strides Premium, that you can listen to which will help you begin building a routine with your horse.

There is also a full workbook to go along with the audio trainings. This includes the different types of movements you can use when working with your horse. Visit https://stridesforsuccess.com/join/ for all the details.

May 24, 2016