Strides for Success

Tag: balance

  • You Can’t Control Your Horse – But You Can Influence

    You Can’t Control Your Horse – But You Can Influence

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    You pick up trot and feel your horse getting a little quick. You can feel a speed wobble coming! So you shorten the reins, maybe squeeze a tad more, hold a little, fix a little, manage a little more… And before you know it, you’re trying to control every second of the ride. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone! And, as you probaly know, it’s usually a good feeling to help someone…

    As riders, the temptation is very real to be consistent when helping your horse. But what if all of your help is actually hindering your horse’s training and progress?

    And what would happen if you began to take a step back and see your ‘help’ for what it really is – a need for absolute control!  But, you see, control – when it comes to horses in training and being ridden – is a pipe dream! It is not possible because your horse has a mind of its own, with thoughts that produce emotions and feelings of its own. So, how about we begin calling out this need for absolute control in a way that will actually help you and your horse…

    Instead of micro-managing every little nuance, what if you trusted your horse enough to begin allowing them to take responsibility for their role in your work together? 

    In this episode, I want to help you begin to identify where you may be trying too hard to control. And I will give you some concrete starting points to begin relinquishing the idea of ‘control’, and strengthening your ability to positively influence. Let’s dive in…

    Why Do We Control?

    So before we go any further, let’s chat a little about control and what it can mean for you and your horse. Control can look different depending on where the desire for it is coming from. If you are very fearful, how you will try to ‘control’ your horse will look vastly different to if you are fiercely competitive and want everything ‘perfect’.

    But the key point I want to make here is that we rarely ever actually realise that control is our desired outcome… So often we tell ourselves a different story that sounds better to ourselves and others. 

    I have to support him when he’s training to help keep him going forward. Or I need to protect him from hurting himself or another horse! He struggles to maintain in the canter, so I have to help him. All of these can be true – but are they really? Or is it an absolute need and desire to ‘control’ more about keeping your own brain and mind feeling regulated?! And that is often the key point…

    Control is sometimes more about helping us to feel better in the short term than it is about helping our horses to develop, strengthen, and grow in the longer term – and can completely stop this from happening!

    What Don’t You Trust?

    A few years ago now, I listened to an audiobook that has nothing at all to do with horses, but led me to a big ‘aha’ moment. In the book, Untamed by Glennon Doyle, what really struck me was this one quote:-

    We Only Control What We Don’t Trust – Glennon Doyle (Untamed)

    And I thought – YES! That is exactly it. From years and years of working with riders, it is the lack of trust that seems to lead to this endless desire to control. Some riders don’t trust themselves. They have little to no confidence or faith in their own abilities, and so never really leave the safety of their comfort zone. Other riders don’t trust their horse. And this can come from both a fear (my horse might throw me off) mindset, or a training (my horse can’t do this, so I’ll help him) mindset.

    So, next time you feel the need to control something when working with your horse, instead ask yourself, “What am I not trusting right now?”.

          • Do I not trust my horse to stay balanced?
          • Do I not trust my aids to be clear or coordinated enough?
          • Do I not trust myself to handle it if things go sideways?
          • Do I not trust the process enough to allow for the ‘messy middle’ while learning happens?

    I think one of the biggest breakthroughs you can have in your training and riding is to begin naming what you’re not trusting – and then digging deeper into ‘why’ that is so…

    What Can You Control?

    Now, I am not saying that you simply leave it all up to chance and hack on. We’re talking about working with animals who often outweigh us 10 to 1! But, if you can’t control your horse, what can you control? The answer is you. You are the only thing that you can have any hope of controlling. And, for many riders, that can seem like an impossible task!

    Your thoughts, your emotions, and your actions. They are all, potentially, within the realm of your control – but as riders, we also know that this can be easier said than done! 

    This is why I really do believe that checking yourself at the gate is so important for riders. Before you ever greet your horse, I highly suggest having a quiet moment with yourself just to see how things are. A little personal ‘check in’. And then, from there, some intentional grounding and self-awareness work. I am not suggesting long rituals or meditations. Just a few seconds to yourself so that you can see how you’re about to show up. The more you practice this, the quicker and easier it will become.

    And when you then approach your horse from this more grounded, self-aware place, the chances are that you will actually have more success in controlling the things you can:-

          • your preparation
          • your awareness
          • your intention
          • your timing
          • your emotional state
          • your body
          • your response

    Working Towards Influence…

    So, let’s flip this concept of ‘control’ for a moment. What if, instead of constantly trying to micro-manage every little movement and every single second, you began looking for ways to have a more positive influence? What if you swapped the need to control with a desire to guide or shape the outcome to a more positive one? Without you having to do all of the work.

    Deciding to relinquish the need to ‘control’ and rather committing to being a positive influence requires a certain level of trust. Trust that those you want to influence have the right foundation in place so that they decide to follow your lead. 

    It’s a bit like deciding that you’re happy with free will – and then meeting your horse at that place. Now, we can talk all day about ‘the right foundation’. I do think that so much of this comes from the rider or whoever has been working with the horse. What has been ‘allowed’ (or not), and what is being ‘mirrored’. And, it is when we commit to becoming a more positive influence, I believe, we can then begin to really build and strengthen our horses – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

    Control and the Lunge

    Lunging is such an interesting place to explore this! Even to this day, I can remember how it felt to want to control everything when lunging my horses. If they cantered a little too enthusiastically, my desire to ‘control’ would kick in – and I would 100% react instead of respond. I’ll be the first to put my hand up and tell you that it was not pretty! And, sure, in the moment I would be able to ‘bring’ my horse back to trot (the place where I felt good). But, let’s be honest here, this in no way helped my horses and their training!

    To this day, when I’m lunging, and my horse becomes a little too enthusiastic, I have to remind myself that this is okay – and to trust my horse and myself that things will be okay.

    Once I relax mentally and then physically, I can then guide my horse back to a more balanced way of working. Not by forcing or ‘controlling’, but by becoming self-aware, and then using my presence to gently influence my horse to join me there.  I do feel that this is a self-trust. And I also believe that riders need to develop this before they can then begin guiding their horse to a similar place.

    Being a Positive Influence

    From here, you can then begin to help your horse to do the same. That even on the days when things go sideways, or he loses the run of himself, he can get himself back to balance again. And each time with less and less guidance from you. Helicopter riding and training do not work in the long term. In fact, I am 100% willing to bet that if you are practising this, you will hit a plateau and remain stuck there.

    With lunging, you can begin where you are now – probably more trying to control things. But as your self-awareness grows, so too will your influence. The obvious aids become more subtle – and your horse begins to take more responsibility for himself. 

    That is where the magic lies, and that is where your horse can begin letting go of control and developing the trust that is necessary. Trust in yourself, and trust in your horse. And vice versa. As the trust and confidence grow, so too will the levels of ‘self-control’ or ‘self-carriage’ – one of the things we are always looking to grow when riding and training.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Want Support While You Do This?

    Inside Connection, we are dedicated to working on the 5 essentials, the keys to refining all the training elements we just talked about.  It’s exactly where your progress begins again.

    If this episode made you squirm a little and wonder, “Is she talking about me?”, then Connection will help you put all of this into practice. Join us inside today:- https://stridesforsuccess.com/join

    Online Training & Coaching

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Why Self-Carriage Matters More Than Most Riders Realise

    Why Self-Carriage Matters More Than Most Riders Realise

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    There are certain things riders hear about and mentally check out – assuming they are for ‘other riders’. Self-carriage is one of them. I think from years of misinformation, many riders think it sounds too technical, or ‘dressagey’. Just too fancy or advanced – and because of this, perhaps a little intimidating!

    But self-carriage is not just for dressage riders. It is not just for horses working at a high level. And it is definitely not something you only need to think about if you are chasing a prettier outline or a more impressive way of going.

    In fact, self-carriage matters to almost every rider because it is the backbone of so many of the things we do every day with our horses. Or that we ‘want’ to do and have every day! The light contact, balanced transitions, flow through corners.

    If the majority of your rides are leaving you feel exhausted, is it because of a strange feeling that if you take your mind and effort off for even a second, the whole thing will unravel? If so, self carriage is a great place to begin working!

    Because, if we get down to the nitty gritty, self-carriage is really about one simple question: can your horse organise their own body without you micromanaging every stride?

    The Real Problem Most Riders Are Feeling

    A lot of riders think they are chasing better transitions, lighter contact, or a horse that feels more “together.” And yes, those things matter. Of course they do. But so often, underneath all of that, there is a bigger issue.

    The horse is not yet truly taking responsibility for their own balance. And that is just not how ‘team work’ comes together!

    If you are the one constantly micro-managing, that gets tiring very quickly! Micro-managing can look like balancing, correcting, slowing down, steering, reminding, adjusting, gathering, etc. So many ways for us to ‘helicopter ride’ our horses! And, let’s be honest, when it gets to this point, often riding starts to feel like more work than it’s worth! Not necessarily bad. Not always dramatic. Just hard, heavy, and often not as enjoyable as it could be.

    What Self-Carriage Actually Means

    In plain English, self-carriage is when your horse is able to carry themselves with a reasonable degree of balance, rhythm, and responsibility – and without needing you to constantly hold them there! Now, this does not mean that you are perched up there having a holiday and allowing your horse to pick up all of the slack! Nor does it mean that everything is perfect.

    What it does mean is that your horse begins to contribute more to the partnership. They become an active team member who is working with you to achieve something together.

    They are not leaning on you for balance or falling onto the forehand the second things get a little harder. They are not relying on your hand to hold them up or your leg to keep everything from weaving or wandering across the arena. Instead, they are organising their own body to suit the level of the work involved.

    This is one of those things that can be easier to feel than to define. A horse with more self-carriage often feels lighter, and there’s more ‘flow’. The contact is an agreement by both parties, and they can maintain a good quality rhythm without constant correction. Smoother transitions, movements, and just an overall way of going. They are also much more adjustable and have ‘manoeuvrability’.

    It is not that everything suddenly becomes ‘easy’. It is that they begin taking more responsibility for their share of the work, the partnership, and the outcome.

    Self-Carriage is Not…

    Unfortunately, we sometimes get a little carried away with the idea of self-carriage – and our desire to make this happen in our riding and training! Not a good thing because this often leads riders to becoming ‘stuck’. Self-carriage is not how your horse is carrying his head, or a ‘frame’ that you hold your horse in.

    Head carriage and ‘frames’ are a result of developing self-carriage – they do not help to produce self-carriage!

    A horse can look more put together than they really are. They can appear ‘on the bit’ while still leaning on the rider, bracing through the body, or depending on the rein for balance. The outline may look better, but the feel underneath it is still one of management rather than true organisation and that distinction matters. A horse can still manage to ‘look’ good but still feel heavy. Just like a horse that appears ‘put together’, but still falls apart the moment the rider softens.

    That is why self-carriage must be properly understood and worked on as a rider. That it is a shared responsibility and developed balance, rather than just the appearance on the outside.

    When self-carriage improves, things often do look better. But they look better because the horse is now actively working on their own way of going. Not because the rider has arranged something to create an overall prettier picture!

    Ask Yourself This Question…

    Next time you are working with your horse, take the time to ask yourself the following question:- “If I softened or allowed a little here, would my horse maintain or would things begin to fall apart?”

    It is such a simple question, but what you learn can change everything! And I would suggest asking this throughout your ride, not just at one good moment! So, for example, would your horse remain balanced on that circle if you softened a little? Would they keep the same rhythm in trot, or would they get quicker, longer, heavier, or wobblier? Would they go through a transition and come out the other side still balanced, or would everything have fallen like a sack of potatoes onto the forehand?

    Would your horse be able to maintain what the two of you had built together, or would it all fall apart the second you stopped actively managing every piece?

    That question can tell you far more than a pretty photo ever will. And, worth repeating, this should be asked at lots of different points throughout the ride. Maybe your horse can stay organised in walk, but not in trot. Or perhaps they can hold things together on a straight line, but not on a circle. Your horse may find the upward transitions are fine, but downward transitions are just too much.

    And, potentially, you’ll get two or three good strides before it beings to unravel. If so, good – that is useful information, because now you know where the work actually needs to happen.

    Self-Carriage in Everyday Riding

    Now, before you become completely bored or intimidated about the work that lies ahead in your training, I have a few different points to consider. Firstly, as mentioned, this is not just about schooling in an arena.

    A horse that has developed some self-carriage is generally more rideable. And rideability matters whether you are hacking out, doing polework, jumping, retraining an ex-racehorse, coming back into riding after a break, or simply trying to enjoy your horse more.

    When a horse can carry themselves better, the contact feels lighter and transitions become clearer. Any adjustments that do have to be made don’t have to be so dramatic. Corners stop feeling like wheelbarrow exercises. And turning starts to feel more like turning a nimble little speedboat and less like a desperate attempt to redirect the Titanic!

    There is also less nagging and that matters more than most riders realise. Because when the rider is constantly correcting, reminding, and just holding everything together, the horse can easily begin to feel nagged as well. The ride becomes mentally tiring for both horse and rider. Everything starts to feel a bit over-managed!

    As self-carriage improves, the aids can become lighter, clearer, and more meaningful. You are no longer doing the horse’s job for them every second. You are communicating, not compensating. This is team work!

    Start with Lunging…

    Lunging is one of the most overlooked ways of helping your horse to develop self-carriage. Which is a pity because in my opinion, it is hands down one of the best places to begin. When you are working with your horse on the lunge, you can see what is really happening. You get the trainer’s perspective, rather than what the rider ‘thinks’ they feel.

    Lunging allows you the luxury of no longer sitting in the middle of the horse’s movement, trying to interpret everything from feel alone! Now you are seeing the actual feedback from your horse.

    You can watch the rhythm, pinpoint where any rushing begins, notice when the circle gets smaller because they are falling in, or if they begin drifting out and start leaning on the line for support. There is also the advantage of observing the transitions more objectively. And you can see whether the horse is maintaining a steady tempo or needing constant help to maintain the basics.

    And you can begin supporting your horse without, accidentally or not, holding everything together in quite the same way as you might do in the saddle. Your horse has the space to figure things out.

    That matters because many riders, usually with the best of intentions, tend to take on too much responsibility! They want to help and they want to get it right. For their horse to feel supported. But sometimes that support becomes so constant that the horse never really learns to carry their own share.

    There has to come a point where the horse is allowed to, with support, patience, and compassion, begin doing more for themselves. And that is where real development starts.

    Doing The Work

    So, if you have now realised that there may be work to do, this is where I am going to invite you to come and spend this month with us inside of Connection. The theme is Building Self Carriage on the Lunge and I think that you will love it, especially if your horse feels heavy in the hand. Or if transitions are exhausting and if each ride regularly leaves you feeling as though you were responsible for absolutely everything… Let’s do the work together. Not because self-carriage is glamorous. And definitely not because it sounds impressive!

    But because a horse who can organise their own body is a horse who becomes lighter, more responsive, more adjustable, and more enjoyable to ride.

    You should not have to hold your horse together every second of every ride. That is not the goal. The goal is a partnership where both of you come to the party.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Want Support While You Do This?

    Inside Connection, we are dedicated to working on the 5 essentials, the keys to refining all the training elements we just talked about.  It’s exactly where your progress begins again.

    If this episode made you squirm a little, and wonder “…is she talking about me…?”, then Connection is exactly where you need to be!  Join us inside today:- https://stridesforsuccess.com/join

    Online Training & Coaching

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Why Your Half Halt Isn’t Working

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    Have you ever felt as though the concept of the half halt is a memo every other rider, except for you, somehow received? If so, you’re not alone! There was no memo, and there are more riders than you can imagine out there who also just don’t ‘get it’!

    Which is strange because the half halt is one of the most widely referenced tools in riding! And yet it remains one of the least understood!  Today, I want to simplify it for you. We’re going to look at what the half halt is, what it isn’t, how to tell if yours is working, and what to do when it’s not.

    My goal is that by the time you finish reading, you’ll have a clearer picture of how this small moment of communication between you and your horse can genuinely change how you work together.

    What ‘Is’ The Half Halt?

    Let’s begin with the simplest explanation. The half halt is a tiny moment of rebalancing. Nothing dramatic, nothing forceful. Just you and your horse pausing, ever so slightly, to redistribute weight, reorganize, refocus – and then continue on together with more clarity.

    Think of it as a gentle invitation to reset the balance so that the next stride, transition, or movement feels more together.

    And while on it’s own, it’s extremely powerful, it’s also worth noting that a half halt is rarely a “one and done” situation. Because it’s such a small moment, you often need a few of them close together to make a noticeable difference. That’s normal. The half halt is subtle by design. That subtlety is its power.

    Why Does it Feel Complicated?

    The confusion around the half halt usually begins because people make it sound far more complicated than it needs to be. There is this idea that half halts belong to the world of very advanced riding. That they exist on a mystical plane occupied only by the Top 1% of riders – and maybe some unicorns! That is not the case.

    You can begin using half halts today, no matter where you are in your riding journey. Like everything, you will refine it over time, but you do not need to wait until you are “ready” to begin.

    The real key to understanding the half halt is recognizing that it is not just one aid. It’s a blend of a lot of your aids working together, almost simultaneously. If you take nothing else from this, please take this: your hands come last. Most riders begin with their hands, and that is where everything falls apart. The reins are not the half halt. They are only one final part of it.

    Riding the Half Halt

    A correct half halt begins with you. Your seat and posture come into play first. Think of it as ‘carrying’ yourself so that you’re modeling what you want for your horse to follow. You should become an example of the ‘self-carriage’ you’d like your horse to adopt.  Then your leg is there to maintain the forward energy. Only once that energy is present do you close your fingers briefly to collect and channel what you’ve already created.

    The hand does not create anything. It only gathers what the seat and leg have already put into place

    This is where many riders struggle. They go first with the reins, hoping to “make something happen,” but there is nothing there to collect. They are trying to grab and hold energy, rather than wait for the energy to be ready to be gathered.  When the reins come first, it either stops the forward flow completely or it creates tension that blocks the possibility of connection. Either way, the half halt simply cannot work.

    Did It Work? (the big question!)

    So how do you know if your half halt actually had a positive influence? One of the clearest signs is a lightening of the forehand. When the weight redistributes, you can usually feel the horse lift slightly in front. The balance improves, and the energy begins to feel clearer. It becomes easier to direct. Everything feels a little more organized underneath you.

    You may also feel the rhythm settle. If things were starting to get fast or slightly scattered, the half halt helps to bring the horse back into a more relaxed, consistent tempo.

    You and your horse become more together. That’s what a half halt is supposed to achieve: a sense of working with one another rather than against.

    What you should not see is a big, dramatic change. If the horse slows considerably, hollows, or becomes tense, that wasn’t a half halt. That was just pulling! A correct half halt is barely visible. You almost have to feel it more than see it. When a horse and rider are working well together, you won’t see big corrections. The rider uses quick, subtle adjustments before things go wrong. The half halt becomes part of that quiet conversation.

    Why Isn’t My Half Halt Working?

    If your half halt isn’t producing these kinds of changes, there are a few likely reasons. The first is, like I’ve already mentioned, too much hand. If the rein aid is too strong or too early, everything falls flat. Another common issue is the lack of your supporting leg. If your lower leg swings forward, or if it’s simply doing nothing, the energy disappears before it can be gathered!  Timing is another factor. Many riders hold the half halt too long.

    The whole moment should take only the space of a single footfall, not an entire stride. If you hold too long, the energy becomes blocked – and the conversation becomes stuck! 

    And sometimes the horse simply doesn’t understand yet. That’s not a failure. It just means there is more training to be done, and more clarity to establish between you. The half halt is a conversation that grows and develops over time.

    All Half Halts are Not the Same…

    One of the most important things to remember is that the half halt is not fixed. It changes depending on the day, the horse, what you are doing, etc.  Even though both of you feel physically and mentally can have an impact on the quality of the half halt. You cannot approach it as a formula where two plus two always equals four. Some days your horse is supple and forward-thinking, and everything responds easily. Other days, the response is delayed or dull.

    Your half halt must remain supple and adaptable. You adjust your approach to meet the horse where they are.

    Practicing the ‘Feel’

    If this feels overwhelming, try to relax. The best way to learn the half halt is through simple, consistent practice. The next time you ride, begin by organizing yourself. Focus on your self-carriage first. Then, feel your horse through your seat. Allow your core to quietly stabilize. At the same time, your legs come on just enough to encourage the energy to keep flowing forward. Once that energy is there, close your fingers briefly. Then release. That release is just as important as the gathering.

    You can practice this every six to eight strides to begin. Simply remind yourself what you’re about to do; then, sit tall, feel, gather, release. Notice how it feels.

    Does the balance change? Does the rhythm improve? Do you feel slightly more connected? These changes may be tiny at first, but over time they accumulate. Each half halt builds on the last.

    If Your Half Halt Isn’t Working…

    Learning to ride a good half halt is not an overnight achievement or a quick fix. It requires dedicated and intentional time working on it in the saddle. It also takes consistency and a willingness to listen and respond to your horse. Notice the feedback your horse gives you. Notice how the balance shifts when you get the timing right. Notice the small improvements.

    The half halt, more than anything, it requires an openness to feeling. You cannot learn feel from a book or a video or even a coach. You learn it by doing. That is why this is an invitation to experiment. 

    If you find you would like support with this, we are dedicating October, November, and December 2025 to working through the half halt inside Connection. October is focused on half halting on the lunge, and then through November and December, we will bring those principles into the saddle.

    With weekly live training sessions, audio riding lessons, and ongoing support, Connection may be what will help you and your horse.  You can find the details at stridesforsuccess.com/join.

    For now, take this simple explanation with you to the arena. Practice it. Play with it. Pay attention to what changes. That is where you and your horse will truly begin to both understand and respond to this tool.

    And, with time and consistency,  the half halt will become something natural, fluid, and fantastically effective for you and your horse!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    The Your Signature Ride Challenge

    Here’s the idea: you use only your seat and leg aids to “write” your name in the arena. Sounds simple, right? But what it really does is sharpen your awareness of timing and clarity.  You’ll learn when your aids actually make a difference.  And you’ll have fun doing it.  All while creating a pattern that’s uniquely yours!

    You can sign up by CLICKING HERE

    It’s free to join, and every rider who participates gets access to a guided audio lesson to help them through the challenge. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win 3 months inside Connection (a $66 value)

    Restart & Reschool

    And if you would like a little more 1-to-1 coaching, explore Restart & Reschool Private Coaching. It is perfect if you’re starting your practice – or if you’re looking to turn your existing practice into something ‘real’ for you and your horse. I’ll guide you step by step on the way! You’ll not only get the full ‘OTTB; From Racetrack to Ready Program’, but also fornightly private lessons with me to move you forward in your riding.

    We can work on anything you would like; from groundwork, to lunging, to riding, to jumping… With the virtual private lessons, we can do all of these things – and more.  If you would like to find out me, you can let me know a little more about you HERE and I will then reach back out and we can chat!

    This is the support, training, and accountability you’ve been missing to finally follow through and start seeing progress. No fluff. No overwhelm. And as flexible as you need for your lifestyle. 

    Online Training & Coaching

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Using Half Halts on the Lunge to Build Balance

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    Have you ever been lunging your horse and find yourself saying “Whoa there Tonto” a little too often?!
    That moment when your horse seems to go from cool and calm to tripping over themselves as the speed quickens! I can 100% hand over heart say that, from experience, this has the potential to make even the calmest of riders stress a little!

    Most riders see rushing on the lunge as a disobedience problem; their horse is being naughty, ignoring them, or just full of vuma! But what if that’s not what is always going on?

    What if your horse’s rushing while on the lunge is really a balance problem, not a speed problem?

    Rushing v’s Speed

    When a horse loses balance, the natural instinct is to speed up to try to catch themselves. You’ve probably experienced this yourself, either while walking, running, or cycling. Just like when you run on a few steps, or pedal faster to stop yourself from falling over, your horse often does the same.

    If they feel unbalanced, they often run on a little – in an attempt to remain upright!

    Now, I get that some horses will 100% rush and race ‘just because’.  However, that is not what I’m chatting about today. Today, I want to talk about how, for many horses, suddenly speeding up can indicate a lack of balance. And how lunging gives you the perfect opportunity to see this clearly.

    So, if your horse is usually pretty relaxed and ‘rhythmic’ – until he’s not. This might indeed be what’s going on. And I think that lunging can help your horse to develop so that this happens less and less often. You see,

    Because without your weight or mixed signals from the saddle, your horse can figure out how to carry themselves and begin to develop self-balance while developing strength

    Of course, that won’t happen overnight. Building balance takes strength, coordination, and consistency. But lunging — when done correctly — gives your horse space to experiment, to learn, and to begin developing rhythm. And rhythm is where it all starts.

    Rhythm & Relaxation: The Foundations

    No matter what discipline you ride, or what age or stage your horse is at, the first two building blocks of training are relaxation and rhythm.  When they feel that both of these pieces are in place, the energy can flow, and this increases confidence for everyone, horse and rider.

    So, it makes sense to begin at the start with relaxation & rhythm, and one of the best tools for introducing and establishing both of these is to use the half halt while on the lunge.

    Half Halts on the Lunge

    When most riders hear the words ‘half halt’, they immediately think about their hands. Specifically about using the reins. But the half halt is not just a rein aid. It’s a conversation. A pause. A moment of rebalancing that comes from your whole body and your intention, not just your hands.

    When you’re lunging, just like when you’re riding, your lunge line can be ‘part’ of the question or aid… Not the whole aid! You have to learn to communicate using it AND everything else. Your voice, your energy, your body position, your weight, your body language, and even the timing of your breathing.

    When you ask for a half halt on the lunge, you’re really saying,“Hey, come back to me for a moment. Find your balance again.” It can be an invitation, a request, or a correction. 

    And what’s really special about lunging is that, because of your position to your horse, you can see it happen. You can actually watch your horse process the request. And you can see the results. Maybe it’s the moment they soften through the contact, or when they slightly shift the weight off the forehand. It could just be the reestablishing of the rhythm that was in danger of being lost!

    That visual feedback you get from lunging is gold. It helps you begin to understand what a good half halt looks like before you try to feel it in the saddle.

    Reward the Intention

    When you begin introducing half halts on the lunge, I’m going to bet that your horse might not know what you’re asking for yet! Especially if this is not something you’ve been working on regularly before.  So it’s really important to reward every ‘try’. Every subtle thought in the right direction.

    Meaning that even if your horse just thinks about slowing down or steadying, that’s your chance to acknowledge it. If you miss that window, your horse gets confused. The message becomes muddy.

    So, ask for the half halt, then wait. If you see even a hint of balance returning, mark that moment. Praise. Use your voice to tell them, “Yes! That’s what I wanted.”  Clarity and timing are everything.  Every aid you use to ask should also be echoed when you reward. That’s how you build trust and confidence, and understanding. It’s also how your horse will begin to develop strength.

    Transitions, Rhythm & Flow

    Now, if you’ve been guilty of using the lunge line like a steering wheel or a brake (so pulling to keep your horse on the circle or yanking to slow them down), that HAS to stop!  The lunge line isn’t there to control the horse. It’s simply the connection between you.

    Just like how your reins work in riding to ‘gather’ and channel energy, your lunge line will do the same when lunging. 

    I really do think that the only way to begin to truly replace this habit is to create boundaries in the area you are lunging. Let them ‘keep the horse on the circle’ so that you can begin cultivating the contact through the lunge line. I’ve a whole post on this HERE.

    Refining Half Halts on the Lunge

    And once you are using your line correctly, then you can look to improving everything by getting started with basic transitions. Walk to trot. Trot to walk. Halt on the track. Back to walk, etc. etc., etc. Think smooth, not sharp.
    If your horse takes three full circles to make the change or the transition, no worries! That’s your starting point. You’re working on understanding, not obedience.

    Your half halts will be the preparation for every single one of the transitions your horse performs while on the lunge. They set things up so that the transition can be as good as it can be. 

    After a few days or weeks of practicing this, you’ll notice that your horse will become more ‘tuned in’ with regard to your aids and overall communication. That’s when you can begin playing with transitions within the gait. Covering more ground and then covering less ground within the same gait.  The goal is to keep the rhythm steady, no matter the speed.

    Lunging as a Mirror

    Lunging, done well, trains you almost as much as it teaches your horse. It becomes a mirror for your communication. You see, in real time, how every little change you make, your tone, your energy, your posture, affects your horse’s response.

    And the better you get at reading and influencing your horse from the ground, the easier everything feels once you’re in the saddle.

    And remember, lunging isn’t just for young or green horses. It’s for every partnership that wants to improve communication, rhythm, and balance.  It’s also not just for ‘hot horses’ or for when time is short. I am REALLY encouraging you to begin crafting time for lunging starting today.

    Bringing It All Together

    So next time you clip on that lunge line, shift your focus. Instead of thinking, “I need to slow you down,” think, “How can I help you find your rhythm and then maintain it for longer. How can we work together to achieve more balance and lightness?”

    Notice where any of the ‘whoopsies’ appear in your horse’s way of going, when it feels like he’s starting to rush. Pay attention to what led up to that point that may be causing the loss of balance. Then, use your body, voice, and energy to help your horse rebalance, to come back to you. That’s your half halt.

    You’ll be amazed at how your horse starts listening, not just to the sound of your voice, but to the feel of your intention.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

     Half Halting on the Lunge

    I’ve got 3 resources to help you improve and refine your half halts.

          1. Inside Connection we are working on how to use half halts on the lunge to develop rhythm, relaxation, and self-carriage. Step-by-step audio lessons, a live group lesson, and so much more to really help you understand and put this principle into practice.
          2. Join me for the Half Halts Made Simple Webinar on October 28th. We’ll take everything you’ve learned from the ground and bring it into your riding work.
          3. Sign up for the FREE Your Signature Ride Challenge. It’s a fun, on-horse experience that ties beautifully into everything we’re doing this month.

    Online Training & Coaching

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Timing Is Everything: Finding the Sweet Spot for Half Halts

    If you’ve ever asked for a half halt and felt… well, nothing – you’re not alone! So many riders don’t really use the half halt in their riding because they find that it either doesn’t work, or it’s a little ‘too much’ for them and their horses!

    I know many riders can feel a little daunted when they hear the phrase “half halt.” It sounds complicated, almost mystical!  Like something only advanced riders can master. But that’s just not true!

    A good quality, well-timed half halt doesnt’ have to be rocket science! It can be a simple communication tool between you and your horse. And because it’s part of the conversation, the timing needs to be right as well.

    In this episode, we’re going to chat about why timing is so important for your half halts and a few common mistakes riders make when implementing it. I also want to touch on how lunging can be a change in perspective for riders working on their half halt and the timing of it.

    By the end, you’ll have a much clearer picture of how to sharpen your half halts so they actually work. And this will help set you both up for greater balance, responsiveness, and flow in your work together.

    Why Timing Matters So Much

    Think about a conversation with a friend. If they tell you a story and you interrupt too soon, your point falls flat. If you jump in too late, the moment’s passed. And if you constantly interject every two seconds? They’ll tune you out completely.  Half halts work pretty much like this for you and your horse.

    A half-halt is essentially a moment of ‘pause’ within the stride. It’s your way of saying to your horse: “Refocus, rebalance, and prepare for what’s next.” If you ask in the wrong place or at the wrong time, your horse may not be able ot respond. And if you are not paying attention and apply the aid too late, things will already have gone sideways! You’ll have missed the opportunity to rebalance before it all fell apart.

    And keep in mind that the timing of the half halt is vital, but so too is how you ask. Too strong, and you’ll block the energy. Too light or badly timed, and you run the risk of becoming ‘background noise’! 

    Common Mistakes Riders Make

    Most riders think they’re applying perfectly timed and executed half halts. However, that is often not what’s really going on! And, over the years, I’ve seen 3 common challenges and mistakes show up time and again.

    1. Not Getting Your Horse’s Attention

    The half halt is great. However, like most things in riding, it’s usually only as great as what came before it! And if you’re not first actually ‘focusing’ your horse’s attention to the fact that you’re going to ask a question, the answer will probably fall short! One of the key purposes of the half halt is to first get your horse’s attention. I chat more about that HERE.

    When you fail to first get your horses attention, you end up “nagging” with constant mini half halts, every stride, that your horse is just completely ignoring!  

    Imagine your phone buzzing with notifications all day long. After a while, you don’t even notice them anymore. The same thing happens with your horse — they tune out.  It’s only when your phone actually RINGS, that you’re reminded to pay attention and do something about it.

    2. Too Late

    This happens when you wait until things have already gone completely sideways before stepping in. It’s a bit like just ignoring the warning signs, wishing and praying that things will sort themselves out. Sometimes they do – but often they don’t! Picture riding on a downhill slope and feeling your horse becoming a little ‘more energetic’ underneath you. Instead of half halting and rebalancing so that your horse maintains the existing trot or canter, you find yourself barrelling down the hill!

    At this stage, your “half halt” turns into a desperate ‘drop the anchors’ in an attempt to brake! And instead of helping your horse rebalance, you end up blocking energy and, usually, creating excess tension!

    4. Too Strong

    This is the overcorrection. Now, often this is in direct reaction to the previous issue of applying the half halt a wee bit too late! But sometimes this can also show up when riders fail to realise that there is a ‘balance of aids’. Riders know they need to do something, so they just ‘haul’ on the aid that ‘seems’ to be the one that will work. Usually the reins, but sometimes the seat!

    The result? The horse doesn’t recycle energy through the body. Instead, it shuts down, hollows, or even stops! The flow of the energy is lost, replaced with resistance. And, you have to start from scratch to reestablish what you were originally doing.

    Timing: From Awareness to Feel

    So, back to our timing. Let’s be really honest here; timing isn’t something you can learn from reading a book or watching a video. You can understand it in theory, but to truly ‘get it’, you need to feel it.  You need to begin to understand how your aids directly influence your horse.

    You need to learn how to feel when the best time to apply the aids is, so that your horse can best respond. 

    And while there are many exercises and ways to do this in the saddle, I’m going to suggest starting off on the ground. Before you ever feel it, educate yourself by actually seeing it happen. And that’s where lunging comes in.

    Lunging Helps You ‘See’ Timing

    When you’re in the saddle, your brain is juggling a lot: your position, your hands, your legs, your seat, the arena, your horse’s balance… the list goes on. Throw into the mix trying to figure out when to half halt and when best to time it… It can feel overwhelming!

    On the lunge, a lot of the overwhelm drops away. You’re not working on a million things and hoping that you’re feeling it all correctly – you’re simply watching your horse move.

    And when you watch closely, you’ll notice something important: the rhythm of the stride. Every stride has a natural moment where your horse is best able to respond to your influence.  This will depend on what you want to ask for or do… But, if we think of half halt, the best time to balance is when your foot is firmly on the floor, yes? So, apply this to your horse as well.

    By observing this over and over on the lunge, you train your eye to recognize timing. And once you see it, you can start to anticipate it. Then, when you’re back in the saddle, your body learns to match that rhythm almost automatically.

    You and Your Riding

    If your half halts aren’t working, don’t beat yourself up. Most riders are either too late, too strong, or talking to the wall when it comes to half halts. And often, because they haven’t developed the timing piece yet.  The takeaway here is that timing is a skill you can train. It’s not about being a “natural rider” or having some magical gift. It’s about practice, observation, and awareness.

    Start with lunging. Watch your horse move. Identify the sweet spot of the stride for the question you want to ask. Then, begin experimenting. What happens when you ask slightly earlier? Slightly lighter? Less heavy handed?

    Over time, you’ll start hitting that sweet spot more consistently. And that’s when your half halts become powerful.  Not because they’re bigger or stronger, but because you’ve learned to refine them by applying the aids at the right time.

    Timing Your Half Halts

    Half halts are the foundation of so much in riding: transitions, balance, collection, even safety out on the trail. And yet, so many riders miss out on their potential simply because of timing.  If you can learn to assess the “when” before you ask, you’ll unlock a whole new level of communication with your horse.

    That’s exactly what we’re working on inside Connection this month. We’re starting with half halts on the lunge — the clearest way to train your eye and develop timing — before moving into half halts under saddle later this year.

    Because when they’re done well, a half halt feels almost magical: your horse shifts balance, lightens the front end, and tunes in to your next aid.

    And it’s a skill you can learn, step by step.  Start by seeing it on the lunge. Play with it in the saddle.  And remember: every time you refine your timing, you’re making it easier for your horse to understand you.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    The Your Signature Ride Challenge

    Here’s the idea: you use only your seat and leg aids to “write” your name in the arena. Sounds simple, right? But what it really does is sharpen your awareness of timing and clarity.  You’ll learn when your aids actually make a difference.  And you’ll have fun doing it.  All while creating a pattern that’s uniquely yours!

    You can sign up by CLICKING HERE

    It’s free to join, and every rider who participates gets access to a guided audio lesson to help them through the challenge. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win 3 months inside Connection (a $66 value)

    Restart & Reschool

    And if you would like a little more 1-to-1 coaching, explore Restart & Reschool Private Coaching. It is perfect if you’re starting your practice – or if you’re looking to turn your existing practice into something ‘real’ for you and your horse. I’ll guide you step by step on the way! You’ll not only get the full ‘OTTB; From Racetrack to Ready Program’, but also fornightly private lessons with me to move you forward in your riding.

    We can work on anything you would like; from groundwork, to lunging, to riding, to jumping… With the virtual private lessons, we can do all of these things – and more.  If you would like to find out me, you can let me know a little more about you HERE and I will then reach back out and we can chat!

    This is the support, training, and accountability you’ve been missing to finally follow through and start seeing progress. No fluff. No overwhelm. And as flexible as you need for your lifestyle. 

    Online Training & Coaching

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Rising Trot – Learning How to Post a ‘Better’ Way

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    There is always a look of pure satisfaction on a rider’s face when they finally ‘get’ the rising trot! You know, they stop bouncing about and can actually work with the horse, in rhythm. And that is an important stepping stone for all riders. More than likely, when you were first learning how to ride the trot, your instructor taught you to do the “up downs.”

    And at the time, ‘up down’ was the easiest way to both explain and help you ‘get’ the rising trot. The rhythm, the basic movement… Those first few trots when you managed to stay in sync with your horse felt like a win.

    But here’s the truth; that early version of the rising trot, the up downs, was just the beginning.  And if you’re still posting to the trot the same way… That could well be what has caused you to hit a wall where progress and improvement are concerned.  It could also be the reason your horse’s training has stalled as well.

    Because the fact is that while ‘up down’ works initially, it is essential that your rising trot gets lots of upgrades along the way to becoming a better rider. 

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, you will learn to begin evolving and refining your rising trot so that you can unlock a whole new level of riding, connection, and communication with your horse.

    “Up Downs” Are Just a First Step

    When you were learning to ride, you probably heard your coach calling out “up, down, up, down!” like a metronome. It’s how most of us were taught to post.  It’s what I say to beginner riders even now in the arena. Why? Because it’s simple, easy to understand. And if I can use another ride to demonstrate, the ‘new’ rider can easily follow the words, up down, and match it to what the rider they are looking at is doing in the saddle.

    But here’s the catch:  “Up downs” are mechanical. They focus on your body’s movement. Not your horses.. They teach rhythm and balance, yes – but they rarely encourage (and often block) true feel or connection.

    Eventually, if you don’t move beyond that, they become a ceiling.  You think that because you’ve stopped being bounced about, you’re moving with your horse. And, yes, when you are riding ‘up downs’ you are at least going in the same rhythm as your horse. But, up downs alone won’t allow you to really work ‘with’ your horse.

    Rising Trot is Team Work

    The rising trot isn’t about going straight up and straight down.  In fact doing this, often leads to a lot more problems! So instead of ‘up down’, a better way to think about this is forward and back. It’s a diagonally upward forward, using your belly button as the part of your body that leads the way.

    A practiced and balanced moment of suspension, not a forced push or pull (depending on your body and what feels easier for you to do).

    Riders who stay stuck in “up downs” often:

        • Stand too vertically out of the saddle (6 to 8 inches of daylight between their bum and the saddle)
        • Brace against the stirrups (lower leg shoots forward towards the horses shoulder or elbow)
        • Collapse back into the saddle (they use the horses energy, not their own body, to move them)
        • Fall behind or ahead of the rhythm (and become very unbalanced if the horse’s rhythm changes)

    All of these habits interrupt the natural flow of the horse’s movement and create excessive tension through the horse. Sometimes it can even be physically uncomfortable for the horse. Whic his why working on refining your rising trot is so important.

    Lack of Refinement = No Independence of Aids

    As riders we all want ‘independent aids’. Meaning that each of your aids can work effectively without inadvertently negatively influencing the other aids. And yes, obviously they all do influence each other, but when your aids are ‘independent’, you can create more positive influence. Rather than just allowing negative influence to happen.

    Your seat, legs, weight aids, and hands can all become more independent of each other, allowing for greater control when used together.  But if you’re bouncing or bracing through each post, each ‘up’, your body becomes a single unit.

    There’s no clear separation or intention between one aid and the next.  And there’s also no control over your aids. You are at the mercy of your horse’s rhythm and energy. The ‘up downs’. 

    This means:

          • Your legs can’t give subtle instructions
          • Your seat can’t follow or influence movement
          • Your hands can’t maintain a steady, consistent contact

    Instead, everything is reactive and clunky. Your horse may feel confused, frustrated, or even dull to your aids.

    How Rising Trot Promotes Energy & Connection

    A good well-balanced and supported rising trot allows the energy from the hindquarters to flow through and connect to the front end of the horse. This is how, eventually, true contact is created. It allows your horses back to ‘connect’ and engage the flow of energy.

    A poor rising trot – or just ‘up downs’, unfortunately, often does the opposite.

          • It interrupts the energy mid-back, causing hollowness rather than engagement
          • It blocks the swing through the ribcage, causing stiffness and ‘front wheel drive’
          • It prevents true contact and throughness from developing

    Your horse can’t move well if you’re banging up and down on his back. And so often, riders are using the horse’s energy to get them ‘up’ – and allowing gravity to get them back ‘down’! No and no! 

    Rising Trot is a Tool – Not a Habit

    So, yes, let ‘up down’ get you going on your journey in trot. But then remember, as you progress, your rising trot should become something more. A way to positively influence your horse to develop and work in a better way.
    When you truly learn how to post or rise to the trot, you can then help your horse. You can support, ask for adjustments, and help your horse to balance. Especially when the rhythm or tempo goes a little off track! It can even help improve your horse’s straightness and engagement.  But only if you ride it with intention, feel, and refinement.

    You must learn to accept responsibility for your own movement in the saddle (not just rely on your horse’s energy) and then consider the basics as you are doing it – position, posture, self carriage, etc. 

    Rethinking Your Rising Trot

    If you’re serious about progressing as a rider and helping your horse develop correctly, taking an honest look at what you are doing while trotting is a great place to begin. “Up downs,” got you going initially in the trot. They made you feel more comfortable and built your confidence. But, they are also one of the ‘basics’ that need attention and refinement. Especially if you’ve felt stuck at the same level for some time in your riding.

    Start by taking the movement out of the trot completely. Yes – begin at halt. This allows you to really focus on what you’re doing, without your horse’s movement getting in the way.

    The movement should come from your core and your seat, not your shoulders or arms. Think about lifting your belly button diagonally forward and up, not just straight up. Almost like someone in front of you is gently tugging your belt buckle forward with a string. And when you come back down? Do it like a feather. No flopping. No collapsing. Imagine you’re in an aerobics class – you control the up, and you control the down. Both directions count.

    Posting to the Trot

    Once you’ve got that ‘feel’ sorted at halt, move into walk and try the same thing. Begin rising in rhythm with the walk stride, always focusing on that diagonal lift. And your lower leg? It stays under you. The ‘Click Your Fingers Rule’ is a good one to apply here… If at any point, you could make your horse vanish, would you land on your feet?

    Keep your posture aligned, your aids quiet, and stay intentional. When you’re able to rise and come back down without relying on your horse’s energy (or gravity!), then you can start experimenting in trot again.  Bring all of that body awareness and control with you.

    Over time, you will have to think about this more refined way of working with your horse in trot less and less. You will have to revisit it every now and then, to make sure no unhelpful habits have crept in. Or to perhaps refine even more as your riding develops.

    But by taking responsibility for your own movement and actions I the trot, you create the space for. your horse to work ‘with’ you. Not against each other.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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