Strides for Success

Tag: consistency

  • Turning Your Reviews into a Plan when Riding Alone

    Turning Your Reviews into a Plan when Riding Alone

    What if you had everything you already need when it comes to figuring out the perfect plan when riding alone without a regular trainer or coach? And this is for whether you want to improve your own riding skills or focus on your horse’s training. You do and you can – and I will lay out exactly how, step by step.

    Reviewing your riding is one of the best ways to set you and your horse up for success in your riding and training. Especially if your plan when riding is based on what you have learned in your review. 

    So, if consistency when it comes to your riding and your training has been an issue, buckle up! This is the exact right training for you to help you begin to implement a few simple things in your riding, to move forward in your training.

    What to Include in Your Review

    Doing a regular riding review is one of the most powerful ways to make progress, especially if you are training alone without a regular coach or trainer. Just like checking your mirrors before you pull out to overtake, your riding review will help you make better choices for you and your horse in your training.

    However, in order to be effective, your reviews need to be consistent and happen as close as possible to the moment you dismount from the saddle! Otherwise, thoughts, impressions, and memories fade. 

    Inside Connection, we do this twice every month together. To help you get into the rhythm of regularly and consistently reviewing and planning your work with your horse. And for October, November, and December 2025, I am giving monthly training on how to use A.I. to make your reviewing process simpler and easier to help with your planning. You can find out more about Connection at https://stridesforsuccess.com/join

    The Planning Traps

    Okay, so once you’ve figured out what’s been going on the past two weeks in your riding and training, you need to turn your mind to figuring out where to go from here. The issue is that most riders fall into the trap of staying vague.

    They will say things like “I need to ride more often…”. This is too wishy-washy if you want to see real progress. And riding for the sake of riding rarely ever works! 

    Another way riders set themselves up for a fall when planning their rides is to try and do it all! They think that changing everything will give them the win they need. Creating a whole new schedule, packed with new exercises, and maybe even some new equipment thrown in for good measure, is not sustainable!

    Whatever plan you come up with must be realistic, do-able, effective, and pointing you and your horse in the direction you want to go with your riding, partnership, and training

    1 to 2 Week Plan from Your Review

    Look, I realise that you probably read 1 or 2 weeks and thought, “What?! I’m going all in for a month if I’m planning things out”. And I understand why you’re saying that. However, I am going to ask you to trust me a little and limit yourself to 1 or 2 weeks initially. Just like anything in life, the more you do this, the better you will become. And it gives lots of wiggle room for ‘things’ to happen!

     1 . Pick Your Priority

    From your review, you probably have picked up on a couple of things that are not as great as they could be. This could be actual training and riding-related. Or it could be to do with your time and schedule. Figuring out what works and what doesn’t can be slow at first. But this is exactly what gives you the momentum you need later. The important thing to remember is that not everything needs to improve at once or immediately!

    There will usually be a single ‘domino’ when it comes to your progress. One thing that you can change or implement to have a positive knock-on effect on so many other areas. Pick your domino!

     2. Set Up Support and Boundaries

    What needs to happen so that you can devote time and attention to that thing?  Maybe you need to move things around your schedule. It could be setting up poles or grids. Perhaps having a backup for bad weather. While you won’t be able to control everything, there are so many things you can influence. Your job now is to identify what they are and then take action!

    Having a clear outline of what it is you want to work on with your horse will allow you to create some excitement about it ahead of time, which will make the chances of it actually happening higher!

    3. Plan for Practice, Progress, and Pauses

    Okay, so once you’ve got a 1 or 2 key things that you want to work on over the coming week or two, now you can begin organising how this will happen. Again, the more often you get to do something, the more effective you’re going to be at doing the thing. This is true for both planning AND the thing you’re practicing!

    Nothing is ever a one-and-done situation when it comes to horses and training. The key to building on the foundations of relaxation and rhythm lies in the repetition of the basics. So include that in your plan! 

    Also, plan to create some progress in your training or partnership. Slowly ask bigger questions – slowly is the key word in that particular sentence! This might happen over a 2 or even 4-week period. Again, the more time you invest up front, will usually help build momentum later in your training.

    And just like us, your horse needs to rest as well. Rein in the temptation to keep hammering on at the same thing day in and day out. Add rest days and variety to both the training itself and where you’re training, if possible. 

    4. Review Your Planning!

    Finally, I have mentioned some traps earlier, but I think it’s also important to be both open and supple to making changes to your plan if and when you can. If you get a few days in and realise that there is no way you’re going to be able to make it happen, change it. I’ve been there myself, making the plan so big that it’s impossible to follow! Start slow and steady!

    And remember, tracking your rides and work is important for your next planning session! The better you become at reviewing your rides, the better you will be at planning the upcoming ones. Good reviewing leads to good planning! 

    Making Decisions Ahead of Time

    Finally, I really want to urge you to stop simply riding for the sake of riding. Look, I do think that every now and then, there are situations where this is good. In fact, I sometimes encourage riders to do exactly this. However, for today and for you, don’t! This is one of the single biggest reasons riders stop riding! It just becomes boring – for them and their horses.

    Just letting the week “happen to you” instead of you making decisions ahead of time about your riding and training won’t work when it comes to improving your riding or your horses training.

    Create ‘back up plans’ for the days when you’re short on time. I have a free resource at https://stridesforsuccess.com/15 that is full of different things you can do with 15 minutes or less to move your training forward. Create back up plans for rainy days, or scorching hot days! Going to your horse with an intention will always move the progess needle forward in your riding.

    ‘Plan when Riding Alone’ Workshop

    Every month, I host a Live Review and Planning Call inside of Connection. This takes the guessing out or your riding, and is a place where you can begin strategising about your riding and your training. We work together, in real time, on your previous two weeks in the saddle. And make plans for the upcoming two weeks as well.

    And because each call is recorded and available in your members’ app and on your private podcast feed, you can join anytime and start your 2-week cycle with us.

    This is how we build consistent momentum together, no matter your riding goals. Couple this with on-demand audio horse riding lessons in so many different categories, live group lessons, live Q&A sessions, and ongoing support throughout the month – I’m not sure what you’re waiting for ;) https://stridesforsuccess.com/join

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Online Training & Coaching

    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. 

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • The Right Type of Consistency in Your Riding & Training

    The Right Type of Consistency in Your Riding & Training

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    What would happen if you went ‘all in’ on one specific area of training or developing with your horse for the next 90 or so days?  If you laser focus every interaction to support and strengthen the thing you want to improve or make happen? As I’m writing this, there are about 90 days left in the year, which ties in nicely with goals, etc.

    However, whenever you’re reading or listening to this, I want to encourage you today to begin your own 90-day journey with your horse… Starting today.

    Two things are absolutely essential for successfully training and developing horses and riders; time and consistency. 

    90 days is the timeframe for this particular focus or intention. Consistency is how you show up and the actions you take, over and over again. And if consistency is a challenge for you, remember that you are almost certain to be consistent with things. It’s just the wrong things or actions that you’re being consistent with!

    But You Struggle to be Consistent!

    Is this something you believe about yourself? I did too, however, I was wrong. Let me explain… Lately, I’ve noticed that I have been telling myself more and more that what I am lacking is consistency and discipline in my daily routines and life. ‘But I’m just not the type of person who enjoys consistency’ is something I regularly hear coming out of my own mouth during conversations! And I honestly believed this. For YEARS! Until I began to tear it apart… Was this true?

    What I discovered is that I actually am fairly consistent. I do tend to do the same things and think the same thoughts.  My challenge is not consistency – my challenge is being consistent with the ‘right’ things. 

    And I’m wondering if you’re a little the same? When I looked back over the past 3 or so months, I can definitely see there has been a lot of consistency in my actions, words, and thoughts. It’s just that most of those things do not, in any shape, way or form, help me to get closer to what I actually want. Now, obviously, this is not the easiest thing to admit publically.

    But I feel that just realizing this about myself now gives me the power to change it. And I’m hoping that it will help you too…

    Is it the Right Action?

    Once this new truth dawned on me, I began to get really clear about what I wanted. To be honest, my vision had not changed much. It was just my actions to get there that had. So, I began thinking about what I could ‘swap out’ regarding my actions, words, and thoughts that would get me there faster. Staying in bed until the very last minute each morning was one of them (I think I may have gotten consistent with this one while we were at home in Ireland recently!).

    If I really want to start my day off in a way that would set me up for a great day – right now, that will involve getting out of bed BEFORE everyone else. And being consistent about it. 

    When I think of my horses, if I really want to make riding on the beach once a week with my horse a reality, I am going to have to take action to bring the horses to THIS farm. Not driving 45 minutes to go to them at the other farm. And if I want to work on my mare’s learned habit (she was used in the riding school for the year I was in Ireland) of rushing at poles and fences, I am going to have to clean up the arena here and start retraining.

    I can bet that you already know exactly what you need to swap when it comes to what you’re being consistent with and how it’s impacting your riding and training with your horse… 

    Be Consistent This Week

    So once you are clear on what you want and you have begun to notice your current consistent actions; change them. I want you to focus on something you can change THIS WEEK that will start you off in the right direction. Maybe it’s booking a lesson with a trainer so that you have to turn up and ride. Or it could be organizing a babysitter so that you can spend an extra hour with your horse without feeling rushed. It could be focusing on your straightness, posture, and position in the arena, instead of hammering on your horse all of the time…

    The key here is to identify something you’re doing consistently that is not serving you and then intentionally change it to something more aligned with what you actually want as a rider. 

    And the magic is that once you notice the first thing, thought, or action that needs to change, others will begin to show up! Trust me, transforming your riding and your horse’s training comes down to doing a few basic things well and consistently.  You just need to figure out what has to be tweaked for both of you to get going on your journey.

    Prove Your Consistency

    I’m hoping that you’re on board with giving this a go in your riding. If so, I suggest writing all of this down in your riding journal. Write what you previously had been doing and what you’re planning on swapping that out for. Then use your riding journal to track yourself.

    Begin proving to yourself that you’re not only consistent, but you’re consistent in the ‘right’ things. The actions, thoughts, and words that move you and your horse where you want to go in your training together. 

    Think along the lines of “Previously had been spending 60+ minutes grooming and tacking up with only 10 minutes riding. Will work on being groomed and tacked up in 40 minutes so I have 30 minutes of riding. (I know lots of riders who are guilty of this one, hence me including it here!). 

    When you begin to see an actual written ‘log’ of you doing the right thing, it begins to develop your discipline in doing it more often. You’ll begin to see yourself as a consistent rider. And, hopefully, because these actions are aligned with your goals, the results will speak for themselves.

    Use Personal Voice Notes

    My final bit of advice when it comes to knocking it out of the park with a single goal for the coming 90 days or 12 weeks is to support yourself! I use voice notes for this purpose, so I’m encouraging you to do the same. I have begun using them again for a whole host of different things. Especially things that there is a good chance I’ll either become distracted, get sidetracked, or feel too tired to actually get around to doing.

    If you struggle with consistency in your riding or training, use voice notes! Simply record a voice note that lays out, step by step, what you want to accomplish with your horse for that session. 

    Do it BEFORE you work with your horse and go into as much detail as you can.  What’s amazing about this is that, as you are then later working with your horse, you’ve created the ‘map’ of that session already. Meaning that as soon as you begin to go ‘off track’, you’ll notice. And can then take consistent actions to bring everything back to where you want it.

    Your personal voice notes to yourself will help to train you to become more consistent with your riding and your work with your horse… And they are 100% private. Delete them after if you want :) 

    90 Days From Now…

    So, are you willing to go all in with one thing for your riding during the coming 90 days? Remember successful training requires time and consistency. Use the 90 days and find the few actions, thoughts, and words that you can use consistently to transform you and your horse.

    And if you would like more help with this, make sure you join Daily Strides Premium. It could just be the best $22 you spend on you and your horse ;)

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More on This Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

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  • Getting Through Tough Times in Your Riding…

    Getting Through Tough Times in Your Riding…

    Deciding to work towards something specific in your riding is a good thing. And, usually, you will feel positive about that decision, and all the work involved to get there, initially. Until you realize you must ‘do’ the work – and the novelty starts to wear off a little!

    Riding, just like most things, will involve effort. Especially when you are working to improve or reach a specific goal or outcome. And that ‘effort’ can often result in you quitting! 

    It’s normal to experience all of the excitement at the beginning of something. A new hobby, project, or goal.  And it’s also ‘normal’ to notice that as you get further down the road, it can feel hard.  This is to be expected and even planned for with your goals.

    What’s less ‘normal’ is to find the stamina to push on through that resistance you feel and cross the finish line. To see the goal or project to completion. That takes perseverance! 

    Creating Perseverance in Your Riding

    I think that being honest from the start with yourself is important. And part of that honesty will be to realize in advance that things will probably get a little harder before they get easier. Hard things at the beginning are usually overcome pretty easily. There is this optimistic momentum on your side that helps you overcome whatever obstacles are in your way.

    However, in the middle of the journey, when you’re feeling tired even a little bored from the monotony of doing the thing day in and day out, you need to build perseverance. 

    You can do this by honouring commitments to yourself. If you tell yourself you’re going to do it, honour that. Do what you say you’re going to do.  Each time you do this for yourself, you strengthen your discipline muscle. And this builds trust in yourself and your word. It sounds strange, but the more you can trust yourself, the better the chances you have of doing the thing you said you would do.

    When Enthusiasm Wanes…

    There are a couple of things you can begin to do to help get you through this period of the journey. From personal experience, I have had great success in implementing the following few ideas in my own life:-
          1. Don’t think; just do!
          2. Have a list of topics or things to do that inspire you
          3. Find ways to become curious again
          4. Plan what you want to do the day or week before
          5. Track the progress
    By having a few different options and creating a plan for you and your horse, you will find that on those days, you actually can ‘push on through’.  And once you do this a few times, you will build that trust in yourself, and your positive momentum will build from there.

    Tough Times in Your Riding

    There will be times in your riding when you just don’t feel like doing the thing. Where the past few rides have felt hard.  The key to overcoming this is to show up.  To commit, create a few ‘contingency plans’ and then just make it happen.
    Tough times in your riding will happen. It’s how you train yourself to respond to these times that will determine how you will show up as a rider and an equestrian. 
    If you would like a little ‘inspiration’ to get you over the ‘tough times’, make sure you’ve signed up for the 100% FREE 2024 Equestrian Fitness Challenge. I’ll accompany you for a walk each day for 21 days to inspire you to keep going and overcome the challenges in your riding.
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Equestrian Fitness Challenge ’24

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

    More Help for Riders:-

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    Get Going in Your Riding:-

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

  • Are You Ready for Training Your Horse?

    Are You Ready for Training Your Horse?

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    When it comes to being ready for training your horse, you probably fall into one of two categories.  The first one is filled with riders who genuinely believe they can do anything. And that they’ll probably be successful.  The second is the riders who really weigh up every pros and cons before making a decision.  And they often second guess themselves or lack confidence in their abilities.

    This is especially true when it comes to actually working with their horse. And the fear is that they will somehow ‘ruin’ or ‘untrain’ their horse. 

    You Are Already Training Your Horse!

    However, I think that it is important to remember that you are ALWAYS training your horse. Which really makes the question of it you’re ready for it, redundant! Each time you interact together, there is either the acceptance of the behaviour, or correction of the behaviour.  This is training. So, if we assume for a second that you are, right now, already training your horse, what can you begin doing today to help you get better results?

    This is the exact reason why, in riding schools or yards working with more inexperienced riders, the horses and ponies often need to be ‘re-tuned’.  Basically, more experienced and knowledgeable riders will regularly ride that horse and make sure that the basic fundamentals of the training are still in place and present.

    And this might be the very challenge, you’re experiencing now – you don’t have anyone to do the ‘re-tuning’ for you.  It’s just you and your horse – and you’re doing all of the training. 

    And that can seem very daunting.  But it is ‘doable’; if you are willing to follow a few simple guidelines that will help transform you from just a ‘rider’ (or a passenger), into your horse’s trainer. And I believe that your attitude to this is what really decides if you’re ready for training your horse – or not!

    Observation & Understanding

    Have you ever been working with your horse and thought something along the lines of “I wish he could just tell me what he doesn’t understand?” Believe it or not, your horse is really trying to.  It’s just up to you, as the person responsible for training your horse, to notice it. Developing a keen sense of observation and really understanding horse behavior (and more specifically, your horse’s behaviour, will help you get those answers.

    Observe your horse’s responses. Notice those tiny signs of change; in tension levels or relaxation, rhythm, or suppleness initially.  Then adapt your aids and approach.  It’s like learning a secret language between you and your horse. And, newsflash, you can begin working on improving this today :)

    Master Your Aids

    You have a secret power as a rider: your aids! Think of them as your superpowers—your legs, seat, hands, voice, weight, and even your thoughts.  Your aids can be blended in numerous different ways.  And it’s up to you to figure out what combination your horse responds to and understands.

    The great news is that you don’t have to be the world’s greatest rider to improve your aids.  You can start working on this today when on the ground beside your horse or on the lunge.

    Both will positively impact your aids in the saddle as well :) And help your horse to better understand your unique style and communication.  Being ready for training your horse requires you to find out more and go deeper. How can you develop your aids today?

    Timing & Feel

    Once you have developed a fair understanding and coordination of your aids, it’s time to work on both your timing and feel.  This will allow you to unlock a whole new level of communication with your horse.  However, it does require you to be pretty independent with your aids, your balance, position, and posture.

    It’s all about asking for responses at the perfect moment (without having to overanalyze the moment) and being able to tune into your horse’s movements and energy. 

    Problem-Solving Attitude

    Every rider needs problem-solving skills, and you’re no exception. And once you feel that you’re ready for training your horse, you will encounter behavioral puzzles or training roadblocks. Rather than getting flustered, understand that this is completely normal and just needs to be ‘figured out’.

    By paying attention to your horse and really getting to know both him and your abilities, you will soon be able to uncover the key issues holding you back. 

    And the more you understand basic training, the more you will develop the ability to apply some different, and maybe even creative solutions to keep your horse training moving forward.  This can also be a great opportunity to have a community of online or in-person equestrians, some of who will hopefully be more experienced than you, to turn to for help.

    Learn, Learn, Learn

    Keep growing your skills as a rider and a horse trainer.  Horse riding is never a ‘done’ thing.  In fact, as a rider and trainer, the learning never ends. Stay curious! Try out new training techniques, attend clinics or workshops, and be open to different approaches.

    The more tools you have in your riding toolbox, the more approaches you can take when working with your horse, and positively training your horse alone. 

    Ready for Training Your Horse

    So, after hearing all of this information, I’m pretty sure that you’ll agree that while training your horse alone might not be ‘easy’… It is definitely doable.  Especially if you are consistent, patient, and open to learning new things about yourself and your horse.

    And the great news is that once you get started, it actually becomes less daunting over time. And once you get a few successes under your belt, your confidence in your own training abilities will grow – and this will have a positive effect on everything else. Including your horse.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More on This Topic

    Training For Riders:-

  • 5 Reasons You’re Stuck when Training or Retraining Your Horse

    5 Reasons You’re Stuck when Training or Retraining Your Horse

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    It can be frustrating when you know exactly what you want to achieve when training or retraining your horse, but it seems to be taking ‘forever’!  It seems that no matter how much you explain your horse, he’s not ‘getting it’.

    Training or retraining your horse is something that takes time.  And, sometimes, it is our own impatience or actions that actually keep things stuck where progress is concerned. 

    Today I want to cover the 5 most common causes that may cause you to become a little stuck when training or retaining your horse.

     1. Lack of Consistency

    When we first think about consistency in our riding, we often think about our actual riding schedule.  How many days a week or month we are working with our horse.  And, yes, this is important.  However, what’s far more important in my opinion is what’s happening in each of those individual sessions.

    You are always training or retraining your horse. On the ground, in the field, on the trail, and in the arena.

    Practice is important.  However, only practicing specific things when the mood takes you will not get you the results you want.  How you are doing one this is how you must do everything.  Simply ‘practicing’ won’t make perfect.

    The key is to make sure you are consistent with your communication, your expectations, and your responses through all that you do. 

     2. Confusing Training and Re-Training

    Training and retraining your horse are two very different things.  And when we are working with our horses, it is really important to know the difference between the two. You can download a free printable article CLICK HERE
    that goes into more detail on this.

    Training is creating an expectation or an outcome to a certain question. Retraining is changing the expectation or outcome when the same question is applied. 

    When your horse already knows to do a certain thing a certain way that you want to change or modify, this is retraining.  And, just like us, when a certain expectation or habit has been in place for a while, it can sometimes be a challenge to change!

    Many riders fail to truly understand ‘retraining’. They don’t invest enough time in truly changing the associations or responses their horse has. This will often become really clear when pressure is applied to the situation and the horse reverts back to the ‘old way’ of behaving or responding.

    Equally as common is the rider who forgets that their horse does not understand the question.  Rather than becoming frustrated or annoyed, reframe this with ‘how can I better explain this to my horse.

    3. Differences Between ‘Thinking’ and ‘Doing’

    Have you ever watched a video of yourself doing something? Riding, dancing, running…? The thing that strikes most people when they do this is the vast difference between how they ‘think’ they are doing the thing, and how they are actually doing the thing!

    I regularly work with riders who really do need video evidence that I am not imagining seeing their lower leg constantly swing or their inside hand drop. That is the difference between ‘thinking’ and ‘doing’.

    If you have hit a bit of a plateau when training or retraining your horse, check yourself and what you are doing. 

    I strongly suggest videoing yourself.  I think that in this day and age, it’s as simple as using your phone propped on something and riding past it a few times.  It can be truly eye-opening.  Review your video and really look for any possible ‘mixed signals’ in the communication.

    Lack of coordination, your aids not being as independent as you thought, and just doing the wrong thing can all cause your training to stall and plateau. 

     4. Lack of Knowledge

    The final mistake you could be making when training or retraining your horse is simply not knowing enough.  Make sure you don’t fall into the trap of seeing someone else do something and then assuming you can do the same.  I see this happen a lot with regards to riders watching videos or ‘tutorials’ online.  If someone can do something well enough to create and post a video about it, there’s a pretty good chance that they have been practicing that thing for quite a while!

    Many riders are trying different methods or techniques with their horses without actually really knowing ‘why’ and ‘how’ it produces the result it does. 

    When training or retraining your horse, it is vital to understand as much as you can about the topic you’re working on.  The pre-requisites, preparation, aids, what it will feel or look like (especially at first), and how to develop it further.

    Knowing the aids to the canter is not enough when training or retraining your horse to perform a more timely, clean, and correct transition into the canter! 

    If you are trying to train or retrain your horse, begin scheduling an hour or two each week to actually LEARN more.  Going deeper into each topic and understanding how it fits in.  This will lead to more lasting success for you and your horse.

    5. Not Enough Time…

    You would never expect to go for a 3km run today and then be fit enough to run a full marathon tomorrow, would you?! And yet, as riders, we can often expect this of our horses!  This actually really ties all of the things we have already spoken about today together.

    Time is essential to build lasting results when training or retraining your horse. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.

    If you are not seeing results, could it be that you have not yet allowed enough time? Development, especially when correct, takes time. This can seem boring and long-winded.  And yet, this is often the difference between a horse that develops and a horse that stagnates in its training.

    The good news is that if you can couple time with consistency and correct actions, you will soon begin to see changes in both your skills as a rider. And your horse’s way of going.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Download a printable version of this article when you CLICK HERE

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  • Establishing Fowardness in the Trot

    Establishing Fowardness in the Trot

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    The key to a good quality trot is to remember that your horse must be moving forwards at all times. I call this forwardness in the trot.  This is not to be mistaken for running, rushing, or jig-jogging.  True forwardness requires that you, the rider and decision-maker, must be thinking forwards throughout your ride… And, in this case, in the trot itself.

    And yet, forwardness in the trot is often one of those ‘easier said than done’ things – especially when we become stuck trying to improve that same trot!

    This episode of the Daily Strides Podcast has been plucked from a week of lessons from Daily Strides Premium called “The Basics for Establishing a Good Quality Trot”. The full week of lessons are available right now when you join Connection

    Why Forwardness in the Trot…

    Many riders accept their trot as being a ‘filler’ in their riding.  Something that they do pretty often between other, more important, things that they do!  And the often monotonous rhythm, the 1,2,1,2,1,2, can often have the effect of lulling riders into a false sense of ‘all being well’ within the gait. Trotting can be so much more…

    When you begin paying attention to how much space you and your horse can create inside of the trot itself, you can begin transforming the whole ride. 

    Shuffling about, using each iteration of trot in each ride as a means to an end, can similarly do the same.  But in the completely wrong direction as far as progress and development are concerned.

    Improving the trot itself starts with becoming aware of the energy inside of the trot. Are you truly moving forwards with a sense of purpose? Or shuffling along?

    I truly believe that before you can do anything else inside of your trot, you must first have the energy to work with.  Creating forwardness in the trot will give you this energy.

    The Half Halt

    Is there anything in riding that truly is ‘stand alone’? I have yet to find it if there is and forwardness in the trot is the same.  There are many different elements that must come together in order to make this happen for you and your horse.

    By correctly engaging the half halt you can begin better directing the energy being created within the trot itself. 

    Your half halt can be used for a few different purposes.  To bring your horse’s attention back to you.  Then, to prepare him that you are going to ask a question or something different. And finally, to help establish, balance, or maintain before, during, and after your horse’s response.

    Combining the half halt, with energy, and then adding thoughtful transitions can, over time, transform your trot. 

    And, just like most things in horse riding, the onus will be on you to maintain consistency.  You must become committed to the idea of gradually, day by day, developing each ride.

    And I believe that forwardness in the trot is a great place to start doing just this.

    Happy Riding!
    Lorna

    The Basics for Establishing a Good Quality Trot

    This episode comes from a full week of audio horse riding lessons on this topic. In this particular group of lessons, I help you work on identifying where your horse’s propulsion and thrust is coming from and how to begin not only influencing this but actually channeling it into a good quality ‘working trot’.

    After all, once you have achieved forwardness in the trot, it must then be harnessed.

    When you join Connection; my monthly online membership for equestrians, you will the full week of lessons on this topic.  You will also get weekly audio horse riding lessons (5 per week – each 12 minutes long) to use in your riding. 

    Guided audio horse riding lessons, weekly bonus live training, personal accountability, monthly challenges, and so much more… And all of your training is available on a private podcast feed so you can listen while you are with your horse :)

    Find out all the details and join today HERE

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