Strides for Success

Tag: accuracy

  • A Groundpole Exercise for Riding in a Smaller Space

    A Groundpole Exercise for Riding in a Smaller Space

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    It is easy to become ‘stuck’, both physically and mentally, when riding in a smaller space.  As riders, we tend to ‘slow things down’ to the point where we lose forwardness.  Forwardness, both physical and mental, is essential to riding anything well…

    This episode of the Daily Strides Podcast comes from the 1st lesson of 5 on the topic and is focused on how you can use groundpoles in a smaller space. 

    There is an accompanying layout diagram for this episode that you can download for free HERE

    And if you’re interested in getting the rest of the lessons, you can get them today by joining Daily Strides Premium, my private podcast that delivers audio horse riding lessons straight to your phone every month. You can find all the details HERE

    In the 5 audio horse riding lessons, I will show you how you can use both groundpoles and raised poles in a smaller arena to help cultivate and maintain forwardness in your riding.  You will be surprised exactly how much you can fit into a small space!

    Equestrian Fitness Challenge ’24

    Let’s walk together for 21 days and have a chat about how you can do much more than you think you can as a rider and an equestrian… I am so excited to bring you along on this journey for the100% FREE 2024 Equestrian Fitness Challenge
    There will be a daily walk, a 10 minute daily yoga practice, and lots of tips, ideas, exercises, and ways to improve so that you can show up as the best version of you – for you and your horse.
    Sign up today and let’s transform your riding – one stride at a time!100% FREE 2024 Equestrian Fitness Challenge
    Have a super day
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Weaning Yourself from the Arena Markers

    Weaning Yourself from the Arena Markers

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    Arena markers are a great tool when working on improving specific things in our riding. Whether it be rhythm and stride length. Or shapes of movements and shapes…  Using strategically placed markers can really improve the overall quality of the work you do with your horse.  However, just like all of the other artificial aids, we can sometimes become a little too dependent on arena markers in our riding.

    Remember, arena markers, just like all other artificial aids, are there to ‘back up’ or ‘strengthen your natural aids.  Meaning it is essential you are looking to eventually work without them.

    But working without arena markers can be very challenging for many riders!  In this snippet of a Connection Bonus Live training from December 2021, I discuss how you can begin to slowly, but effectively, remove the arena markers from your circles.  This is all without compromising the quality of the work and the training.

    Once again, this is a previously recorded training.  My voice is still quite hoarse.  I really do appreciate your patience with this and I hope it serves you.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • 3 Lunging Exercises to Train Your Horse

    3 Lunging Exercises to Train Your Horse

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1264_3_Lunging_Exercises_to_Train_Your_Horse.mp3″ title=”3 Lunging Exercises to Train Your Horse” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”3 exercises to try when lunging – I think you’ll enjoy this ” hashtag=”horsepodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    As a rider, it is important to always look for ways to keep your schooling work interesting; for you and your horse. One of the ways you can do this is by working on different lunging exercises.  And they don’t have to be ‘fancy’ or complex.

    In fact, there are a few basic exercises you can begin working on introducing, or refining today that will help you to really begin utilizing lunging as a training tool for you and your horse. 

    Now, just like riding, it is important that before you dive into ‘working’ your horse, you take the time to warm up correctly.  I enjoy walking my horse (leading my horse) the ‘long way round’ to the arena I will be working in.  I use the 5 or so minutes to do a little groundwork on the way.

    And bonus points if the groundwork sets up, introduces, or relates to what you will actually be working on when lunging your horse.  It is the perfect way to start the conversation. 

    Lunging Exercise 1 – Responsiveness

    The first exercise you can do will help to increase responsiveness in both you and your horse.  Many riders can ‘miss’ more subtle cues from their horse because they are simply not looking for them.  And by intentionally focusing on responsiveness as what you want to improve, you also ‘fine-tune’ what you’re noticing in your horse.

    Notice what combination of aids is most effective to ask your horse to go forwards.  Also, how much pressure is necessary to ask the specific question before you get an immediate and timely response? 

    From here, begin working on refining it all.  Begin expecting your horse to respond to ‘lighter’ or more subtle aids. This will require consistency and focus from you.  And it will require concentration and willingness from your horse.

    Lunging Exercise 2 – Accuracy

    As the level of responsiveness increases, you can then begin working on improving accuracy and again, this is for you and your horse.  Increasing accuracy is a lunging exercise that really requires both the horse and the rider (the lunger) to concentrate on what is happening.

    Increasing accuracy also requires both horse and rider to work together. It requires teamwork and there is a shared responsibility to help improve it. 

    Your horse will learn to wait for and then respond to your aids.  The ‘waiting for’ part can be a challenge for many horses initially, however, it is essential to increase accuracy.  This will also force you to become even more clear and intentional with your aids

    Improving accuracy as a lunging exercise also requires you to work on and improve your timing.  A key part of the answer depends on if the horse can respond at that moment…

    So, instead of simply asking questions, you must begin to pay attention to ‘when’ you’re asking the question. You will begin to time your ‘ask’ with the part of the stride where your horse can actually respond to you. This will take time.  And it will require that you have first worked on and improved responsiveness.

    Lunging Exercise 3 – Halt on the Track

    The third lunging exercise that will really transform your lunging sessions with your horse is the ability to halt on the track.  This means that your horse does not turn into you, walk towards you, fall in from the circle, or fall out of the circle.  And this often takes quite a bit of work initially!  Especially if your horse has been allowed or trained (same thing really) to do any of the above!

    Once you have established the halt, you can begin working on the quality of each and every halt.

    The better the halt, the more energy it will contain inside of it. This can initially feel mentally uncomfortable for your horse and he will probably want to step out of it.  However, by increasing his capacity here to ‘hold’ the energy inside of the halt, you are growing his comfort zone.  This will allow for bigger questions in his overall training.

    Developing Your Lunging Technique

    I love lunging and I am all about using this tool as a way to continue to train and work with our horses, even when time or space is short.  And just like riding, lunging takes time to develop and improve.  It requires coordination from you. And it requires a knowledge of the aids you can use to communicate with your horse.

    Lunging is NOT simply running in circles; it is an active way of schooling and training your horse. And using lunging exercises intentionally will help you to make the most of this tool.

    If you are unsure of where to start, make sure you check out the links below this article for more information and past Daily Strides Podcast episodes on lunging your horse.

    Happy Lunging
    Lorna

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  • Establishing Flow in the Space Between Jumps

    Establishing Flow in the Space Between Jumps

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1240_Effectively_Riding_the_Space_Between_Jumps.mp3″ title=”Establishing Flow in the Space Between Jumps” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”How to use the space between the jumps to improve your riding overall…” hashtag=”horsepodcast” ]

    Jumping is one of those things most riders love or hate.  In my experience, their personal preferences depend on how well they can use the space between jumps. If every jumping track feels like a tug of war from start to finish, it’s easy to see how jumping itself won’t be all that enjoyable.  The same applies if the rider feels like they are doing the work for both themselves and their very uninterested, laid-back, and uninspired horse!

    One of the best ways to improve your jumping is to work on the space between jumps. This will improve the overall experience for both horse and rider…

    But simply saying the space between jumps can sound a little overwhelming.  After all, we really are only ‘jumping’ for a tiny amount of time.  The rest is spent working inside of this ‘space’. I think there are a few key areas you can begin to improve, to help both you and your horse get more out of working over fences.

     1. Get Clear on Your Track

    Riding a line is something that I believe all riders need to know how to do. This is regardless of if they are riding on the flat (doing flatwork) or riding over fences.  Without the ability to both see and line and remain true to the line, things will ‘wander’.

    Riding a line allows you and your horse to remain focused, stay on track, reach where you want to go in the best possible way and keep energy flowing. 

    This is really something worth practicing.  Start on the straight, and simply work on being able to ride between two points without wandering. From there, work on remaining on track both before, through, and after each corner, you ride.  Finally, work on both creating a curved track and riding a curved line.

    Once you feel confident riding a line, simply put poles or jumps to mark the A and B of your line, and practice using them as well.

     2. Notice Weak Points

    As you begin to work on your lines and make them more accurate, you might notice leaks.  These leaks are where energy is being lost through the horse, rider, or both.  It could be an outside shoulder that doesn’t want to connect the energy through (falling out) or maybe an inside hind leg that is finding it difficult to stay on track.

    By figuring out where you and your horse are losing energy, you can work on strengthening those weaker points and, because of this, create more flow.

    A good way to assess this is to first ‘feel’ the energy.  Is there a corner or bend where, once you have ridden through, you find you have to do a lot to reestablish things again?  Or is all the energy flowing too fast out of the front end, rather than being recycled and contained?

    Once you have identified the issue (and almost all horses and riders have weak points), find exercises to help strengthen and correct this. Remember this process will take time.

     3. Develop the Rhythm

    When you know where you’re going and you can maintain a certain amount of energy getting there, the next step is to develop your rhythm.  Whether you are working in trot or canter, maintaining a rhythm in the space between jumps can be a challenge.

    Many riders experience changes in the tempo, especially on the approach to the fence.  There is a quickening of the footfalls… And this can often lead to a loss of relaxation.

    I think that practicing over ground poles is a great way of getting started when trying to establish and maintain rhythm.  It allows the rider to simply work on the space, without actual jumps complicating the issue for them.  I also like to use unrelated distances when doing this exercise.  As in, two poles on either side of the arena that the rider must ride a half oval shape between.

    This is also a great way to notice how relaxation (the level of tension present in horse and rider) can affect rhythm.  And vice versa. By becoming keenly aware of these smaller changes, you can begin to create a more fluid, consistent, rhythm around the whole course of fences.

     4. Become More Aware

    The final point I want to make today is regarding you, the rider.  Very often, it is actually us and what we are doing while riding in the space between jumps that are causing things to go a little awry.  Getting ahead of the movement is a big issue I see many riders struggle with.  Also, too much tension is present in the rider’s body.  This one is often due to thoughts or beliefs that the rider has.

    As you begin to more consistently model to your horse what you actually want from your horse – your horse will improve. 

    So, instead of worrying about what your horse is doing and ‘fighting’ him on it.  Rather focus on yourself and improve your responses. Are you moving with your horse?  How about tension; is the amount in your body right for the task at hand? And also position; are you in the best possible place to both communicate and support your horse?

    By tidying up your riding style and basics, you can have a huge positive influence on your horse.  You can also much better use the space between jumps to school and train your horse – and to get clear rounds!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Why Improving Your Accuracy Will Improve Your Engagement in Your Riding

    Why Improving Your Accuracy Will Improve Your Engagement in Your Riding

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    Accuracy can seem like a dull and boring concept when riding horses.  Sure, if you are going to compete in dressage or show jumping, accuracy can become really important.  But what about if you are simply a rider, working alone with your horse, trying to improve your overall skills?  Is accuracy still as important?

    I’m going to say yes, accuracy is important. And it is an excellent way of actually establishing and building engagement with your horse.

    Now, granted, accuracy and engagement might seem like they have nothing to do with each other initially.  How could do something at a specific point in the arena or in the conversation help with engagement?  And the answer is “more than you can even begin to realize”.

    What Is Accuracy?

    Accuracy is about doing a specific thing at a designated time or space when you ride. So, for example, picking up a canter at a specific marker in your arena, perhaps A or C.  Or riding a certain number of strides within a certain measured distance.

    However, in order for you to achieve true accuracy with your horse, the energy that goes into the preparation and, subsequent, follow-through is equally as important as doing the ‘exact’ thing.  

    This means that, as a rider, your attention to detail must include what happens before the transition, during the transition, and then after the transition. Realizing accuracy is about how well you can maintain what is established as you also allow the desired outcome to happen at the right endpoint.

    What Accuracy is Not…

    Contrast this with a rider who roughly kicks or pulls their horse in order to achieve the desired outcome at a specific point.  The overall ride lacks softness, consideration, knowledge of energy, and flow.  It is doing something with the sole purpose being to get a specific result.

    True accuracy is when the result adds to the overall performance and conversation between horse and rider.

    Being accurate, if it is merely to get something done, is not true accuracy.  It must play into the bigger picture of horse and rider.  Working on being accurate must incorporate the energy of what comes before and after the specific ‘point’.  And, in doing this, you can begin to build both engagement and true accuracy with your horse.

    What is Engagement?

    For many riders, when they hear the word ‘engagement’ in relation to horses and riding, the mind jumps to collection.  And, for most of those riders, true collection is not somewhere they visit regularly in their riding. And yet, engagement starts much earlier.  At the beginning in fact.

    Would your perception of engagement change if you began seeing it as a connection, rather than a collection, in your riding?

    If we think of the word ‘engage’ outside of horses and riding, it means that you occupy or attract someone’s interest or attention.  It can also mean entering into an agreement with someone. If we applied both of these to your conversation with your horse, can you see how engagement is a far more basic concept than we might first allow ourselves to imagine?

    And developing accuracy is an excellent way to attract your horse’s interest or attention a little more. To increase your horse’s focus on what you are saying or asking… On your desired outcome. 

    Engagement as an Agreement

    Once your horse has begun to focus a little more on you and what you are saying (or trying to say), you can begin to develop the conversation a little more.  This is where using accuracy can help to begin developing more contact and connection between you and your horse.

    Developing contact is often the point in your horse’s training where he agrees to begin taking on some of the responsibilities for your work together. An agreement. Engaged. 

    And this is also the point in training where energy can begin to truly be recycled through both of your bodies as you work together.  Rather than the energy falling out or leaking out somewhere, it remains within the container.  Part of the responsibility your horse engages with is to ‘hold’ that energy inside of his body.

    Accuracy and Engagement

    Hopefully, from this explanation, you can begin to see the link between improving accuracy and encouraging engagement when working with your horse.  It all begins with understanding that true accuracy requires a holistic approach.

    Attention to detail on the preparation, the doing, and the following through of what you intend to be accurate about. 

    As you become more consistent with this, your horse’s interest in what you are trying to achieve becomes heightened; engagement.  And at this point, you can begin to allow your horse to carry some of the responsibilities regarding your work together.

    Contact and connection.  Which, inevitably, begin to lead to the sort of engagement that will eventually, if you continue to develop and work on it, lead to collection.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Making the Most of Riding in a Smaller Space

    Making the Most of Riding in a Smaller Space

    Making the Most of Riding in a Smaller Space

    What this episode is all about & how it can help you:-

    • Get clear on the actual size of your riding space
    • Improve your accuracy when riding
    • Realise why markers are so important when working within a limited space
    • Use riding in a smaller space as a way to build and develop your training

    Do you find yourself regularly moaning about having to ride in a smaller space?  Are you looking at this specific circumstance as a roadblock or challenge to your progress in the saddle?

    [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1095-Making-the-Most-of-Riding-in-a-Smaller-Space.mp3″ title=”Making the Most of Riding in Smaller Spaces” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Are you feeing a little ‘stuck’ in a small arena with your horse? Here are a few ideas to help you make it work…” hashtag=”equestrian #horseriding” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    If this sounds like you, I want show you how simply changing your mindset about working in a smaller space can be enough to help you begin making that space really work for you and your horse.

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast I will explain why a smaller space, if used correctly and strategically, can actually help you to focus and improve your skills.  And those of your horse as well…

    Finding Out Exactly How Much Arena You Have…

    It often amazes me how, when square meters are at a premium, riders can often just assume the space is too small to be of any real benefit to them or their horse.  There is an almost defeatist attitude towards the smaller space.

    I have found this to be particularly true where corners are concerned…  I regularly see, especially in smaller arenas, overgrown or cluttered corners which are clearly not being used by horses or riders.

    Knowing exactly how big of a space you have available to ride in will help you begin to decide what you can potentially accomplish within that space.  It allows you to actively look for exercises that will fit within that length or width.  It will allow you to create shapes or school movements that work on specific aspects of you and your horses development. 

    Riding in a smaller space requires that every square inch or centimeter is used.  Not just used, but well used.  And this is where what is often seen as a liability, can quickly become an asset to your training.

    Begin by ‘Cultivating’ Corners that Can Be Ridden Into

    I’ve mentioned that the corners are often overlooked.  From there being a ‘track’ or ‘rut’ created in the ground avoiding the corners, to them just being inaccessible due to weeds.  Your corners are an important part of your arena.

    Clean, level and rideable corners will often allow for an extra two to three strides of straightness on the ‘long’ and ‘short’ sides of your arena.

    Also, the deeper you can ride into your corners, the more suppleness is required of both you and your horse.  Simply put, having corners that are usable and rideable will definitely help both you and your horse.  Especially as your skills develop.

    Use Markers to ‘Plot Out’ Your Arena

    Once you have made sure that every usable and rideable square inch is accessible for you and your horse, I suggest beginning placing markers in your arena.  Markers are great in any riding space as they help to hold you accountable regarding how accurate you are.  This is particularly true when riding in a smaller space.

    Riding in a smaller space can almost cause us to lose perspective regarding distance and what can be achieved within any given length.

    It is easy to assume that our lack of being able to perfect something in the saddle is due to the smaller riding space. Having markers set up at specific points in the arena will help you to remain focused on what you are doing; and how well it is going for you and your horse.

    Begin By Focusing on Your Accuracy when Riding in a Smaller Space

    Accuracy is not just for dressage riders and horses.  It is also not just for show jumpers, or eventers, or any other discipline you can think of…  Accuracy is essential for all horses and riders.  It is often the difference between ‘hit and miss’ and having certainty and trust in what you are doing.

    As you begin to increase how accurate you are, you will find that your ‘small space’ begins to open up.  You will be able to achieve so much more each time in the saddle, while still remaining riding in a smaller space.

    Take the basic halt for example.  How many riders do you know who, on a consistent basis (every time they ask for one) ride a good halt?  Probably very few.  And yet, the halt is something you can work on regardless of how big or small your riding space is.

    Basic Exercises to Get Started With

    When we think of the halt, it is never just the halt itself we are referring to.  It is the transition into the halt and the transition out of the halt that also count.

    What is great about the halt is that, as you progress in your training and development, it too progresses.  From working on it in the walk, to the trot and, later, the canter.

    Another basic movement that does not require a whole lot of space, but does require accuracy is the turn on the forehand.  Both the halt and the turn on the forehand can be worked on while you are on the ground or in the saddle.

    Riding a Basic Square in Your Small Arena

    Another great exercise is to ride a square.  It really has everything; straight lines and the bends or corners.  It asks lots of questions from both horse and rider.  And as you and your horse get stronger, more questions can be asked concerning your suppleness.

    Riding a basic shape such as a square, it is important to remember that the ‘basics’ must remain present in order to really make the most of the movement.  Forwardness, relaxation and rhythm are essential if you want to improve suppleness.

    This is why I highly recommend getting off the ‘track’.  Allowing your horse to just travel wherever the worn track dictates will not help either of you to learn and grow. 

    Focusing on your horse remaining on the track that you have planned will help you both to develop your overall straightness. This requires planning on your part and then accountability on both you and your horses part.

    Shifting Your Mindset Surrounding Riding in a Smaller Space

    I really want to impress on you today how important it is to begin shifting your perspective on how you see your space.  Your mindset or thoughts surrounding what riding in a smaller space means for you and your horse.

    I have seen, time and again, how dedicated riders have used this potential drawback to their training as an actual spring-board for making progress in their riding.

    It all comes down to how well you plan your exercises using the space available to you.  Use this space to really increase your responsiveness and your accuracy.  Allow this to be where you focus on applying clear and correct aids.

    Be Prepared for When The Situation Changes

    Finally, at some point your horizons will open out.  The limits of your smaller arena will be taken away and you will find yourself riding in a bigger area.  How well you and your horse can make a successful transition from confined space to open space will, often, come down to how well you used the space you had when you had it.

    Any opportunity you have to ride in a bigger, more open space, should be as well planned with regards to what you want to achieve in the time you have.  How much work you have put in up to this point will become evident very quickly… 

    So, put the time in now.  Stop complaining about your lack of square meters and begin using every one of them with purpose and intention.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Other posts, episodes and resources that relate to this topic:-

    Daily Strides Premium

    If you are feeling a little limited by riding in a smaller space, I am going to suggest joining Daily Strides Premium today.  In there, you will have instant access to a whole group of audio trainings, which will take you step by step through 10 different exercises you can use while riding in a smaller space.

    5 flat work exercises and 5 pole or gridwork exercises will ensure that you are moving forwards and making progress in your riding; regardless of how much space you have to practice in. 

    Couple This with Built In Accountability…

    It really is the easiest way you can begin moving forward in your riding – on your own terms. When you join a Daily Strides Premium Member you will get built-in accountability.  A real person from our team will be reaching out to you on a fortnightly basis to help you build and then maintain momentum with your progress in the saddle.

    Couple this with the live Q&As, the monthly review and planning live calls and the members only private group ~ we are here to help you remain accountable as team leader for you and your horse.

    Daily Strides Premium is packed full of step by step trainings for you to use in the saddle. All 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