Strides for Success

Tag: back in the saddle

  • From One Ride to Many; Turn Your Win into a Winning Streak

    Have you ever had one of those rides where you dismount, smiling from ear to ear, thinking: “This is what I’ve been missing.”? They are amazing, eh?!  Maybe it was your first ride back after a break. Or perhaps you tried something new with your horse and felt re‑inspired.

    That burst of excitement feels amazing; the proof that ‘yes, I can still do it!’.  But here’s the challenge… that initial enthusiasm? It fades quickly! 

    If you want consistent progress in your riding, you need to stack more wins on top of that first one. In this episode, we’ll talk about how to do exactly that so you and your horse keep moving forward week after week.

    Why That First Win Matters; But Isn’t Enough

    That “best day ever” ride is a moment in time. It can rebuild your trust in yourself, re‑ignite your passion, and even strengthen your connection with your horse. But on its own, it’s just that; a single event!  To see real transformation in your riding, you need to repeat that feeling over and over, mixing it into a rhythm of time and consistency.  The problem?

    Most riders rely too much on that spark of motivation. Motivation is a great starting point; but it won’t sustain you! 

    Especially when life gets busy or the weather turns! Not to mention the days that you and your horse are just not reading from the same sheet! And motivation won’t help if you fall into the trap of expecting too much too soon. Perhaps going from riding once a week to trying to ride every single day, or cramming ten new exercises into one week…

    The Key to Turning Wins into Streaks

    So, instead of riding the motivation wave until it crashes, you need a plan to capitalise on that first win. This means building in recovery and rest, tracking progress, and using repetition strategically.

    1. Build in Recovery Days

    Athletes know they can’t push at full intensity every day. They plan the days that they will go ‘all out’ and then alternate those with days where they focus on lower‑intensity sessions. This allows their body and mind to recover, adapt, and grow.

    The same is true in riding. If you’ve had a physically challenging, emotional, or high‑intensity session with your horse, follow it with an easier day.

    A ‘more gentle’ day might look like a short groundwork session or a relaxed hack. It could also be a light schooling ride, focusing on something simple like transitions between halt and walk.

    It’s tempting to try to repeat a great ride the very next day, but over time, that approach leads to burnout, for both you and your horse.

    2. Track What Matters

    Tracking isn’t just for elite athletes. Simple tracking creates awareness, shows you patterns, and keeps you honest. It also makes it far easier to see your streak building, which is motivating in itself.  You could track things like:-

          • Ride frequency – Mark each ride on a monthly or quarterly calendar. You’ll quickly see if your rides are evenly spaced or clustered.
          • Easy start days – How quickly can you get tacked up and riding? If you’re losing an hour to faffing around the yard, this is worth tracking.
          • Confidence score – After each ride, rate your confidence out of 5 or 10. Over time, you’ll see trends you might otherwise miss.

    The key is to track something that’s currently getting in the way of or slowing down your progress. Once you can measure it, you can improve it!

    3. Use the Spacing Effect

    Teachers know that spaced repetition is more effective for learning than long, intense cram sessions. The same applies to riding.

    Remember, you are your horse’s teacher – whether you think of yourself that way or not!

    So, instead of trying to work on everything in one ride, pick one or two specific skills or exercises per ride. Then repeat them every few days, blending them into different rides.  This allows you and your horse to absorb the learning before building on it.  And this approach creates steady improvement without overwhelming you or your horse.

    An End‑of‑Ride Habit That Builds Streaks

    This part might just be the game-changer you’re looking for. I do this myself regularly (and not just with riding) and have found it to work so well.  And it’s so simple. Because you will ‘know’ the answer already based on what has just happened…

    Before you dismount, literally before you take your feet out of the stirrups, decide on your next ride’s focus.

    Ask yourself ‘What went well today that I want to repeat?’ or ‘What could we do slightly better next time?’. Then write it down or record a quick voice note. That way, you’ll never waste time in the arena wondering, “What should I work on today?”

    Short & Sweet :)

    My final piece of advice to begin your winning streak is to think quality over quantity. So many riders think they need long sessions to make progress. 45 minutes doing something! But I’m going to encourage you to ride short, targeted chunks of time. This will be far more effective, especially when you’re building a streak!

    Fifteen minutes of focused work is far better than an hour of unfocused meandering.

    Short sessions also lower the barrier to getting started, reduce fatigue for both you and your horse. And make it easier to repeat skills more often. It’s a win-win. And I also find that the concentration is better for horse and rider as well.

    Create Your Winning Streak

    So, the next ride you have, let’s turn it into the first of a string of rides that work for you and your horse. Most riders who make consistent progress aren’t winging it. They know what they’re working on, and they’ve built a rhythm that works for them and their horse week after week.

    Capitalise on your next ‘best ride ever’ and turn it into a streak using recovery, tracking, and spacing. Then build on it by incorporating short, focused, quality training sessions with your horse. 

    Wins feel good. Streaks change your riding. Start stacking your wins today, and you’ll be amazed at where you and your horse can be in a few short months.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Need Inspiration for Short Sessions?

    If you’re out of ideas or feeling uninspired, my 15 Minutes or Less guide is a great place to start. It’s packed with quick, focused ideas you can do with your horse in all sorts of categories, from groundwork to schooling to fun hacks.  Grab your copy at https://stridesforsuccess.com/15

    More on This Topic:-

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Back to Riding? Improve Your Seat, Hands & Balance on Day 1

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    So you desperately want to get back in the saddle on the regular again. And you definitely feel excited. But you’re also feeling more than a little overwhelmed! The big looming question is “What do I do on that first ride?!” Stop panicking because today, I will guide you through exactly what to do on that first ride… Step by step with your horse. Remember, whether it’s been months or years, your body and mind need time to adjust.

    For your first few rides back, I want you to focus on increasing your awareness, rather than questioning if you’re ‘doing it right. Awareness over perfection! 

    Today, as we ride together, you will make some small but mighty shifts in how you sit, move, and connect with your horse. These strategic adjustments will make all the difference in rebuilding your confidence and comfort. And they will also help to keep your mind from wandering too much!

    So, obviously, this can be listened to while you are riding. But you can also listen before you mount up and then use what you learn to make your first or next ride really count in your journey back to regular riding.

    Settling Into the Saddle: Find Your Balance

    Once you are mounted up, and before you start making changes, let’s take a moment to pause. Take a deep breath and simply notice what’s happening in your body. Can you feel an excess tension creeping into specific areas?

        • Seat & Weight Distribution – Do you feel ‘even Steven’ in the saddle, or is one side heavier?
        • Legs – Are your legs resting naturally or gripping? Let them drape softly like curtains
        • Hands & Reins – Are you holding tension in your fingers? Keep your contact elastic, imagine holding a sponge and wanting to keep some water in the sponge!
        • Breathing – Are you breathing deeply, or are you holding your breath? Talking or singing to your horse can really help here…

    “Your first ride back isn’t about fixing—it’s about noticing. So often you will bring old habits back to the saddle with you. This is the perfect opportunity to make lasting changes to those!”

    Moving With Your Horse: Feel the Rhythm

    From here, ask your horse to begin to walk forward. Use these initial first few steps to first of all congratulate yourself for mounting up! And then, begin to scan your body. Your only job right now is to become aware of how you feel. As your horse walks, tune in to their movement. Are you following the motion or blocking it? Are you syncing or sinking the whole ship?!

        • Your Seat and Lower Back – Is your seat moving freely with your horse, or are you stiff and blocking the movement? Let your horse move your hips and seat. Think of a bicycle peddling backward.
        • Upper Body & Chest– Are you collapsing through your upper body? Or are you focusing on the feeling of ‘standing’ rather than ‘sitting’ through your upper body while in the saddle?
        • Shoulders & Arms Are your shoulders creeping up towards your ears?! Are your elbows sticking out in front of you (like a sleepwalker!)?  Do you have enough (or too much) bend in your elbows?
        • Balance & Symmetry – Are you centered, or are you more to one side or the other? How does the weight feel in your stirrups? And your knees; are they symmetrical? How about your hands…?

    “Your body is constantly giving signals to your horse—make sure they’re the right ones. Too much or too little tension in your body can have a massive impact on your horses way of going”

    The goal is to move with your horse, not against him. It’s like dancing. You want your horse to ‘lead’ you at this point in your riding. Don’t shove, or resist. Just relax, find neutral, and allow your body to be led. When you do, your horse will feel more relaxed and willing. It will feel like the energy is flowing. Rather than riding with the handbrake on!

    Small Adjustments for a Big Difference

    Once you’ve become more aware of what you’re doing in the saddle, you can begin to make small adjustments to how you are riding and interacting with your horse. I am going to suggest beginning with evening out tension levels throughout your body, correcting your posture, and aligning your position to where is best for the application of your aids. When you’re in the right place, it makes ‘talking’ to your horse so much easier!

        • Head, Shoulder, Hip, Heel Line – If I could magically click my fingers causing your horse to disappear, would you land on your feet? Or would you end up on your face or your bum?! This line is IMPORTANT!
        • Elbow, Wrist, Thumb, Rein, Bit Line – Have you got a lovely straight line from your elbow to your horse’s mouth? Or do you have a V or a lightning bolt going on?! Your hand, wrist, and lower arm are extensions of the rein – no bends or angles, please!
        • Symmetry & Weight Distribution – Are you sitting on your seat bones? And are each of your seat bones an equal distance from the middle of the saddle? Adjust your seat bones so that they point directly below you (click your fingers rule), and that there is an equal amount of your body on both sides of the saddle. If you do feel off-center, try shifting your weight slightly to rebalance yourself

    “The smallest adjustments often create the biggest improvements. And by starting off with making sure the basics are right, you are creating a strong foundation to build from in future rides…”

    Awareness of Your Horse & Your Habits

    As you make these changes, check in with your horse. Is he responding differently? How about relaxation; how are the tension levels in his body? And responsiveness? When you’re in the right place, he has a much better chance of understanding what you’re trying to say.

    The more aware you become, the more effective your riding will be. And the stronger your basics are, the more quickly and effectively you can build your skills as a rider. 

    It is always worth remembering that a lot of the ‘bad habits’ we cultivate as riders are actually symptoms of something else going on. Try to focus on ‘tweaking’ the cause, rather than drive yourself mad trying to treat the symptom! It won’t go away completely until you address the cause!

    Cooling Down & Reflection

    As you finish your ride, take a moment to reflect. Ask yourself:

        • What did I notice about my position and balance?
        • Where did I feel excessive tension?
        • How well did I carry myself – especially my hands and my upper body?
        • Where did I feel the most connected to my horse through our movements together?
        • What small changes made the biggest difference?
        • Are there any habits from before that have followed me back into the saddle again?

    “Every ride is a chance to learn something new about yourself and your horse… It’s your level of self awareness that allows you to make each ride an opportunity to improve”

    And, if you’re feeling up to it, you can try all of this again, but at the trot. I’m going to suggest listening to this episode again and applying the same awareness to your rising trot. Think of the basics, position, posture, weight distribution, and your ‘lines’.

    What’s Next? Choose Your Focus…

    Okay, so the first ride is done and dusted. However, now you need to build a little momentum. Choose one of the three following suggestions to work on for your next ride so that you can keep improving and truly make the most of this opportunity to be back in the saddle again.

        1. Learn to Begin Controlling Your Seat – Neutral, Go, and Whoa are all real ways you can influence your horse using your seat. I have an episode on this topic HERE
        2. Applying the Click Your Fingers Rule – Those lines are really important for both keeping you in the saddle and also how well your horse can listen to and understand your aids. I have got an episode on this HERE
        3. Developing Your Riding Fitness – Maybe you felt that you lacked the suppleness to move with your horse… If so, I strongly suggest diving into walking and yoga-based free 21-day Equestrian Fitness Challenge HERE

    Finally, I would love to hear from you… Which one of the above exercises felt the most impactful for you in your ride today? Pop over to the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community on Facebook and let me know! I’d love to hear about your experience.

    “Progress isn’t about doing everything at once – it’s about improving one small thing at a time.”

    And if you’re looking for more ways to make the most of your time with your horse, grab my free 80+ Ideas to Do with Your Horse in 15 Minutes or Less by CLICKING HERE

    Everything is neatly divided into categories for you to choose from depending on your vision, intention, or focus for your riding.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More Episodes on This Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Getting Back in the Saddle; Can Things Be Even BETTER Than Before?

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    Nostalgia is a funny thing. It often causes us to look back at or reminisce about past experiences with rose-tinted glasses. And your horse riding journey is no different. Especially when you’re thinking about getting back in the saddle after a significant breakaway.

    When you remember all of the adventures you’ve already had when it comes to horses and riding, it can sometimes leave you questioning if there’s any way it could ever hope to be like that again… 

    And that doubt over how good getting back in the saddle could be is one of the big reasons riders never take the next action. They don’t go out and tack up. Or they stop exploring riding clubs, or schools that are nearby. And that is such a shame…

    While you’re paused because you’re worrying if a new riding experience could possibly measure up to ‘what was’ for you before; you’re missing out on the very real possibility that things could actually be even better. 

    Today I want to explore how this is a very real (and even more probable) out come for you if you finally take the plunge and take action on getting back in the saddle after a break.

    A Deeper Appreciation

    We’re told that ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder. I find this is almost always true when it comes to riding. However, I have also seen and personally experienced how often it’s only when we actually make the move, and take the action, that we feel this way.  It’s not until we move from thinking about getting back in the saddle to actually riding that we tend to really understand and appreciate what we were really missing all of that time.

    And when that realisation of ‘missing out’ is coupled with a more life-experienced you, this will almost always lead to a deeper appreciation for not only your horse but also for yourself as a rider.

    I’ve seen over and over how dedicated returning riders are to both their riding and the time allocated for riding. There is an increased focus, a clearer intention, and an increased curiosity about what they’re doing and how. They really see their riding time as special. They realize how privileged they are to actually get to have a conversation with and develop a partnership with a horse. It’s magic!

    A Keen Curiosity

    This brings me to the second reason your getting back into the saddle might just surpass all of your past experiences with riding; you are curious to find out more about it. So often, when we learn to ride initially, we tend to rush through the early lessons. We are so keen to do everything that we skip as fast as possible through the basics to get to the ‘exciting’ stuff. Coming back to riding often has the opposite effect on us.

    We want to know ‘why’ things work that way. Is there a different or better way to do things. What would happen if we applied our aids in a different way or situation. And just how to use the basics for better overall development…

    This curiosity is what really guides us to become more skilled in the saddle because we begin understanding ‘why’. It is really the catalyst to going from ‘medicore’ to great as a horse person. And even if our body is not what it was originally when we rode, by staying curious, we learn how to work with what we have now. And often this can develop our skills past all of our previous expectations.

    A Fresh Start

    Unfortunately, many riders leave riding initially because they just are not enjoying it or having fun. When you begin to think about getting back in the saddle, you can start rewriting your expectations and your story about being a rider. If confidence became an issue for you originally, you can come back to ‘riding’ with a strong focus on groundwork and partnership. Over time, that will lead to confident riding again – if that’s what you want.

    A fresh start also allows you to let go of old stories that held you back… Maybe about time or resources. Or even about your abilities as a rider; what you can or cannot do.

    Getting back in the saddle let’s you start a new story – one that better aligns with you as you are right now. 

    And if the ‘old you’ had certain habits that you would have been better without, the break from riding and then coming back to it is the perfect time to rid yourself of them. Your body and your mind will be much more malleable now to doing things differently. Take full advantage of this and make any changes that you wanted to make back then but struggled with.

    A Stronger Connection

    Finally, as you return to riding after your break, I can almost guarantee that you will begin to create a stronger connection and partnership with your horse. There is something that happens to most of us with the passage of time. A greater appreciation for each individual we meet along our path. And this applies to our animals and horses as well.

    Getting back into the saddle after a longer break often opens riders up to just how much their connection to their horse is energy based. They tend to allow themselves to be more intuitively guided when it comes to their interactions with their horse. 

    Less emphasis is put on ‘doing things right’ and more is placed on ‘doing this together’. This will always lead to a greater respect; for the rider for their horse, and the horse for their rider. This connection is often what will get you through any speed wobbles when it comes to questioning if getting back in the saddle was the right decision.

    Over all, getting back in the saddle often becomes less about riding – and more about developing a deep trusting bond with your horse… Which is magic in itself. 

    Getting Back in the Saddle

    So, I’m hoping that if you’ve been on the fence about getting back in the saddle, I’ve helped to steer you closer to the ‘yes, I’m ready’ camp! Which is to actually do something. Take the next action! Let’s be honest, there are lots of actions you can take to get the ball rolling…

    However, I’m going to give you 3 specific things to choose from today:-

        1. Prepare Your Equipment & Space:- Start small and use your efforts here to inspire you to do more… I’ve got a free resource you can use that gives you a list of things you can do around the yard (or with your horse) when you find yourself with 15 minutes or less https://stridesforsuccess.com/15
        2. Groundwork Session with Your Horse:- Spend time reconnecting with your horse on the ground. This helps rebuild trust, establish communication, and get a feel for each other’s energy before riding. The Connection Partnership Program is a great way to add some structure to your time – while improving your aids for when you are back in the saddle again. Find out more at https://stridesforsuccess.com/cpp
        3. Lunging Session with Your Horse:- You can take things a step further by getting into the arena and working on 12 minutes of intentional lunging. I have a training to get you started, including audio horse riding lessons to follow for the first 3 lunging sessions together. You can get that for free at https://stridesforsuccess.com/3days

    Choose one of the above actions today, and commit to getting started in the coming 7 days. Then pop over to the Daily Strides Podcast Facebook Community and let me know what you’re planning on doing to kick start your journey back to regular riding again :)

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More on This Topic:-

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Getting Back in the Saddle: Overcoming Mental Blocks & Old Identities

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    Riders stop riding for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes, it’s a conscious choice; an injury, a change in circumstances, or a loss of confidence for example. Other times, life simply gets in the way. But whatever the reason, it doesn’t have to define your riding journey going forward.

    You’re maybe like many other riders, the reason that you’ve stopped was just a season of life—a temporary chapter, not the whole story. And yet, it’s easy to take that reason and make it mean something about who you are. You, intentionally or not, weave it into your entire identity, convincing yourself that you’re no longer a “real rider.”

    But here’s the truth: “The reason you stopped riding is just that—a reason, not a definition. It’s a chapter that’s now ending – not the whole story! 

    Getting back in the saddle can feel uncomfortable, even when you want it more than anything. And I’m not just talking about physical discomfort. Often the mental challenges are even more real. This can be because your mind has grown used to its old story. The one where riding is no longer a part of your life. But that story isn’t set in stone. You can rewrite it—starting today…

    Is The Reason Still Valid?

    Start with assessing if your reason for stopping riding is still something that impacts and affects your situation now. If it’s an injury, it might still do that. Or if the reason you stopped riding was to do with confidence, again, this might still be a factor that needs to be considered when thinking about coming back to riding.

    For many riders, the reason they stopped riding will not be an influential presence in their life now that they are considering returning to riding. Their situation or circumstances will have changed. 

    Suppose you are going to make riding a regular occurrence in your life again. In that case, I think that identifying the reason and then assessing if that reason is still valid are important factors to consider. This will allow you to create realistic plans for your riding going forward. And help you to avoid hitting the same roadblocks that put an end to regular riding in the past.

    Back in the Saddle; How Will You Feel?

    Start with thinking about your own energy and how your body feels when it comes to riding again. I’m going to suggest finding somewhere quiet to do this work. Where you know you won’t be interrupted and you can really become present with what’s going on in your physical body. First, just take a moment to settle in and become comfortable. From here, notice areas where you might be holding onto some tension. Intentionally release it and let it go.

    When we use energy to begin re-connecting with riding and our horse again, it’s important to figure out what energy we are bringing to the conversation to begin with.

    From this ‘neutral’ place, think about riding again. Maybe imagine your first ride, or if there is something specific you want to work towards, think about that. As you develop the thought, let your awareness come back to your body – what changes can you feel?  There are no ‘rights’ or ‘wrongs’ in this process; just you being aware of your body and any potential patterns for tension that are being held there.

    I would suggest practicing this a few times alone, without your horse initially. Notice how those thoughts feel in your body. What you find out about yourself here can be really useful when you actually work with your horse. 

    Taking This To Your Horse

    From here, set a date for this coming week to go to your horse. Obviously, if you don’t have your own horse, this may require asking someone you know and trust if you can work with their reliable, safe, and trustworthy horse. Or you may have to make an appointment at a reputable riding school. The key is to get a date and time for the coming 7 days in the books!

    Take a few minutes BEFORE you approach your horse doing some internal, personal work. Get present with your physical body. And then set an intention for the interaction as well. 

    Your intention can be as simple as ‘spend 5 minutes together just being in each other’s presence without anxiety or excess tension’. Or it could be ‘spend 15 minutes doing some fun and simple groundwork exercises together’. Getting back into the saddle after a break does not have to start and end with riding. There are lot’s of other ways to work with and connect with your horse. And if your intention is to do something specific, have the exercises planned out in advance!

    Your intention for the interaction or session with your horse will help to anchor you. Returning to it regularly during your time with your horse will help you to stay on track and move towards your bigger vision for your riding journey from this point.

    Creating Connection With Your Horse

    When you feel like you have a teammate or that you’re part of something bigger than you, it helps to keep you accountable. Being intentional about creating a solid connection with your horse is a key way you can do this for both of you; especially if you’re working alone without a regular instructor, trainer, or coach.

    By deepening your connection with your horse through energy work, you will be more likely to show up for both of you; even on days when it feels challenging to do so.

    And if you’re getting back in the saddle after a break, those days will definitely happen! Work on basic ‘syncing’ exercises together both in a smaller space such as a stable. And then in bigger areas like an arena, paddock, or round pen. Your horse wants to connect with you, it’s just up to you to be open to both feel and respond to their invitations. And keep in mind your horse is probably far more subtle than you are when communicating!

    Building The Energy Connection

    From here, you can begin to expand your intention for each interaction with your horse to suit your goals or vision for your riding going forward. Especially useful if you are getting back in the saddle after a break. Maybe it will be to mount up and walk for 15 minutes. Or to work on the lunge together in a responsive and rhythmic way for 15 minutes.

    The key is to use the initial connections to really begin rewiring the old identity that you’ve built for yourself around riding and being a ‘rider’. Begin creating a new story for your mind to believe about you as an equestrian

    This new identity will allow you to accept that, yes, you did take time away from riding for a specific period of your life. But that was then and this is now. You are now moving towards building something new with your horse. Together. A team that is there to support each other and help each other be accountable.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    The Energy Connection Webinar

    If you want to go deeper with this for you and your horse, register for my upcoming free live training on how you can use your presence and energy to move both you and your horse from tension to trust.

    This is a great, practical training you can use to help you get back in the saddle after a break. I will give you 3 specific exercises you can use the next time you’re with your horse to connect with him or her on a deeper level.

    You can find all of the details about The Energy Connection Webinar HERE at https://stridesforsuccess.com/energy 

    More on This Topic:-

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Self Assessment and Your Riding – Your Comeback to Riding

    Self Assessment and Your Riding – Your Comeback to Riding

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    So you’re back in the saddle. It feels amazing and you love how each ride is jam-packed with learning new things and rediscovering little things you’d forgotten. However, once the initial excitement begins to wear off, you’ll probably start thinking about how to improve your skills.

    Self-assessment is a skill all riders can practice and improve. And it is essential if you want to improve your riding – and your horse’s overall way of going.

    The challenge can be knowing what to look for.  Being able to identify the root cause of an issue from a symptom of something else. This takes practice. Here’s a few things to look out for in those initial rides to create a solid foundation for your comeback to riding.

    Your Posture and Position

    It all starts here. If you are sitting correctly in the saddle, the chances of everything else working as they should increase dramatically.  From allowing the horse to move, to remaining balanced through transitions.  From your aids and overall communication to being able to help your horse to use it’s body better.

    Start with checking your ‘lines’; ‘head shoulder hip heel’ and ‘elbow, wrist, thumb, rein, bit’. Pay special attention to your shoulders being above your hips – not in front of or behind. 

    From here, think about your posture. Are you modeling ‘self-carriage’ for your horse? Are you creating ‘space’ between your ribs and your hips?  Doing this will allow your seat to open up and more easily communicate with your horse.

    Weight Distribution

    Once you feel like you’re in a good space position wise, think about how you are distributing your weight while in the saddle.  Ideally, you want an equal amount of you on the left as on the right. And then, as you work with your horse, you can begin to notice how your weight might shift and change.

    A great exercise to help with this part of your self assessment is to make sure both of your seat bones are equal distance from an imaginary line from cantle to pommel on your saddle. 

    You will probably find that while this is pretty simple to achieve and maintain in walk, your weight might start shifting in trot and canter. Especially when riding through corners and bends. Spend time in each of your riding sessions working on this.  And then test yourself regularly with how long you can maintain the ‘balance’.

    You can also play with riding without stirrups and notice if this changes your position, posture, and how you distribute your weight…

    Tension and Gripping

    For many riders, there is something strange that often happens when trying to improve riding skills; excessive tension through the body.  This is especially true when a rider, after running through a quick self-assessment, begins trying to either try to ‘hold’ a better position or posture! Relaxation and suppleness are essential for both you and your horse!  This is why I recommend practicing in the walk first and then building slowly from there.

    Remember, if you need to use excessive tension or ‘gripping’ to keep things correct and aligned when riding your horse, those things are NOT correct to begin with! 

    One of the most basic foundational elements of training when it comes to horses is relaxation. In order for this principle to really be present, both horse and rider must embrace and work into it. Excessive tension, such as gripping, being rigid, holding on to the reins, and bracing through the body all work against true relaxation. And this will, over time begin to show up in your horse’s way of going as well.

    Responsiveness

    Finally, I would suggest working on improving the overall responsiveness between you and your horse. This is definitely a trained behaviour.  This means that if your horse is not as responsive as you would like, someone has probably trained him that way, either intentionally or not!

    When working on improving responsiveness, the key is to recognise and put into practice what your role is in the dynamic… You ‘ASK’ and then your horse “RESPONDS’.

    It is not. your job to move the horse or to make the horse move or do anything.  Your job is to make sure you are in the right place (your position), with the correct level of tension through your body (your posture and relaxation), so that when you apply your aids correctly, your horse can respond to those aids. That’s it.  Okay, and I realize this is easier said than done.

    Self Assessment by Asking Questions

    When you begin to ‘ask’ questions and then pay close attention to your horse’s response, you have a baseline that you can now begin working with.  You can now tell where you are both at in your riding so that you can start to identify what needs to stop happening, change, or improve.

    Often, your self assessment will show you that changes are needed for both yourself and your horse; my advice is to focus on what you can control first – YOU!

    Get your basics under more control.  Understand how what you are doing is impacting the overall conversation and how you can begin making those small changes that will create a huge transformation. The basics are essential.  Your position, posture, basic aids, and moving with the horse. When you can start improving these things, the whole ride will begin to improve – you and your horse.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Your Riding Comeback

    Your journey back to riding is as unique as you are. While you can draw inspiration from various plans and advice, remember to tailor them to fit your individual path and circumstances.

    If you’re seeking assistance with your riding comeback, consider our program ‘Returning to Riding.‘ In just 9 weeks, we’ll help you solidify your basics and transition from passenger to confident rider alongside your horse.

    With private 1 to 1 coaching, easy-to-follow audio lessons, and personalized weekly reviews, you’ll see yourself progress from feeling unbalanced to mastering clear communication and improving your horse’s performance.

    Through 9 weeks of private coaching sessions, we’ll provide the support you need via secure video, voice, and text. Plus, our proven program can be revisited with your horse anytime to refine both your skills.

    Explore Returning to Riding today for more details and start your journey back to the saddle!

    Get Going Again in Your Riding:-

    Daily Strides Premium is back! The first and original audio horse riding lessons you can use to improve your riding, train your horse, keep things interesting, have fun… Even if you don’t have a trainer or coach

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  • Your Comeback to Riding; The First 4 Rides…

    Your Comeback to Riding; The First 4 Rides…

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    So you’ve committed to get back into regular riding again.  And, you’re taking it a step further this year by focusing on specific outcomes or goals to work towards in your riding and with your horse. But the ‘goal’ and the ‘first ride back’ are MILES apart!  In fact, very often the comeback to riding can feel a little overwhelming for many riders. How can you make those first 4 rides count for you and your horse – while still having fun, and feeling ‘able’; especially after a long break from riding?

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I will lay out a 4 day plan for you to follow so that you can stop ‘pondering’ and start working again with your horse. 

    And, obviously, you will have to apply common sense to this and tweak it for you and your horse’s specific circumstances. Two of the most important factors when customizing your plan are why you stopped riding in the first place and how long have each of you been out of regular work.  Of course, there are a lot of other considerations, but these two tend to have the most impact on your overall decisions going forward.

    I have a blog post HERE about some of the factors to consider when bringing your horse back to work after a long break that might be helpful for you.

    Ride 1 – 20 Minutes in Walk

    Feeling Your Horse Underneath You

    Let’s start by being very honest about the current circumstances and situation… You are probably not going to feel as supple as you would like, as ‘comfortable’ as you used to be, or as ‘coordinated’ as you remembered during the first few days of riding.

    Instead of focusing on the differences between ‘then’ and ‘now’, invest your time in the saddle by ‘tuning into’ how things feel right now…

    The initial ride after a break is a great way to reconnect with your horse. Use this ride to drop down into your body and feel your horse underneath you. Pay attention to the subtle movements, the rhythm of their gait, and the energy they exude. Being able to ‘feel’ all of this will give you a ‘win’ for your first day back and lays the foundation for the next three rides.

    Ride 2 – 25 Minutes in Walk & Trot

    Practicing Your Alignment, Straightness, and Basic Position

    Once you have that initial ride over you, your focus can start shifting a little towards ‘training’ yourself again. And one of the first things you must consider and ‘correct’ where necessary is your basic riding position. If your position is working against you, especially now, you will develop habits that will hinder your communication when in the saddle.  It is vitally important to try and get it as good as you can – from the beginning.

    Again, the aim is not to expect things to be the same as they were before. But rather to make the most of how things are now. 

    So, as you settle back into the saddle, focus on refining your alignment and straightness. Work on maintaining a balanced seat, aligned shoulders, and a steady lower leg.  And, if it is safe to do so for you and your horse (assuming that your horse has been ‘working’ while you have been away), you can also try some transitions into a trot.  I would suggest rising trot.  Ask for the trot, see how well you can move with your horse for about 30 seconds, and then transition back to walk.  Do this a few times throughout the ride. Slow, steady, and simple.

    Day 3 – 25 Minutes in Walk and Trot

    The Half Halt and Halt

    Today is when you can begin to set an intention and focus for your riding.  As a rider, you are probably well aware of how important the half halt is for you and your horse.  And it can be practiced and improved on all the time, even during the early days of your comeback to riding.

    Mastering the half halt is a key component of effective riding. Let each corner, bend, turn, and transition be an opportunity for you to refine this key aid in your riding.

    Each half halt allows you to assess your basic position, how well you’re moving with your horse, and if your horse is listening and understanding your aids.  By trying to improve both the half-halt and the halt throughout each ride, you will start to notice subtle improvements in your abilities even this early on your journey back to regular riding.

    Day 4 – 30 Minutes in Walk and Trot

    Timing Your Aids to Your Horse’s Movements

    I suggest making Day 4 all about combining the previous two rides and starting to put things together for you and your horse. I say this because, as you begin to ‘feel’ what your horse is doing and then ask specific questions at specific times, you can begin to experiment with improving.  And when you build on yesterday’s theme of the half halt and halt, it lays a solid foundation for your comeback to riding.

    Instead of worrying about yourself, you can turn your attention to creating better communication and offering more support to your horse throughout the ride. 

    To do this, you must have an awareness of what is happening when underneath you. And how you can use your basic position, alignment, and aids to both ‘ask’ and support your horse. This is where the work starts when it comes to developing yourself and your abilities in the saddle again. And again, it’s worth mentioning that things won’t be the same as they were. You must develop your timing, coordination, riding fitness, and overall confidence in your abilities again. And all of this will take time…

    Your Comeback to Riding

    You are unique as a rider. So it makes sense that your journey back to regular riding will be yours and yours alone.  Keep in mind that you can look to different plans and advice for inspiration. However, each should be then tweaked to suit your individual journey and circumstances.

    If you would like help with your comeback to riding, make sure you check out Returning to Riding. 9 weeks to get your basics onto autopilot so that you can make the transition from passenger to ‘rider’ for you and your horse. We will work together, using easy-to-follow audio horse riding lessons and weekly video reviews to help you transform your riding.

    Experience how you will go from feeling ‘floppy’, unbalanced, and lacking confidence in your abilities when in the saddle, to gaining control of your body and aids, practicing clear communication, and actually improving how your horse goes while being ridden. 

    With 9 weeks of private, 1 to 1 coaching with me over a secure video, voice, and text app, you will have all the support you need – and a proven program you can re-do with your horse time and again to polish both of your skills.

    Make sure you check out Returning to Riding today for all of the information.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Get Going Again in Your Riding:-

    Daily Strides Premium is back! The first and original audio horse riding lessons you can use to improve your riding, train your horse, keep things interesting, have fun… Even if you don’t have a trainer or coach

    Connect with Lorna online:-