Strides for Success

Tag: crookedness

  • What Your Videos Can Tell You (That You Won’t Feel in the Saddle)

    Ever feel like you’re doing everything right in the saddle, and still your horse is still resistant, crooked, or just not quite “with” you?  What if the real issue isn’t your horse… But something you’re not seeing in yourself?  As riders, we spend so much time thinking about how our horse is moving, how he feels, whether he’s balanced, supple, soft, straight…

    And yet, so often we completely forget about the other half of the team. Us. The rider. And how great an influence we have over our horses’ way of going.

    We’ll happily book the physio, the chiropractor, or the saddle fitter for our horses. But what if the real issue in the saddle isn’t your horse’s crookedness, but yours?

    This week, I want to invite you to look at your riding from a new angle, literally!  We’re diving into why video might be the key to discovering what’s really holding you and your horse back… And how you can begin figuring out if this is so on your very next ride.

    Riding Is a Team Sport

    I’ve been preaching this for YEARS now since I created the first 30-Day Rider Fitness Challenge back in 2016! Horse riding isn’t just about sitting pretty and steering. It’s an active partnership. It’s a physical and mental collaboration of your horse and you, working together.  And if you’ve been feeling frustrated about your horse being ‘wrong’. Maybe consistently crooked, resisting your aids, falling in or out, or struggling to strike off on the correct canter lead… And all regardless of how much training or schooling you put in… Well, there’s a good chance your body is influencing the issue!

    And let’s be honest, this is not the easiest pill for riders to swallow. It can feel confronting to recognise that we might be the ones making things harder for our horses. Especially as we are, hopefully, all about making their work enjoyable and fun for them!

    But rather than sticking your head in the sand and ignoring the issue, see this new awareness as a bit of an advantage. And when we add video, well, now you’ve got yourself a superpower!  

    Video Doesn’t Lie.

    Recently, I’ve begun to use video so much more in my groundwork and riding. And I can tell you firsthand that there’s something magical (and slightly terrifying) about watching a video of yourself working with your horse. I can now see so many things I’m doing – even while grooming – that can be improved, removed, or changed!

    Video removes the guesswork. And, when riding, it puts a spotlight on things you often feel, but can’t quite put your finger on while in the saddle:

    Maybe you see that you have one leg swinging while the other is still. Or your shoulders tend to collapse to one side. It could be uneven stirrup length (that looked fine before mounting)! A twist through your spine or pelvis. Your hands are not remaining ‘level’ or one is constantly turning (the dreaded knuckles on top!).

    These small things, these asymmetries, add up. Your horse feels every single one of them. 

    The most common thing I hear from riders after they’ve watched themselves back is’ “I had no idea I was doing that!”  Exactly!  And once you see it?  It can’t be unseen… And you now have the perfect opportunity to do something about it :)

    Professionals for Horse & Rider

    After working with riders from all over the world since 2013, and most have 1 thing in common: they’re happy to bring out every professional under the sun for their horse.  Massage therapists, chiropractors, saddle fitters, osteopaths… But when it comes to themselves?  Crickets.

    Some things can happen in the body that all the yoga in the world just can’t ‘fix’! Just like there are things with your horse that all the suppleness and bending exercises in the world won’t ‘cure’.  This is when a professional is needed! 

    And let me be REALLY honest with you here… If you’re crooked, tense, stiff, or compensating for an old injury, no amount of schooling is going to magically fix your horse when it shows up in him as well. This is because your horse is constantly reacting and adapting to you.

    So if your horse feels uneven, resistant, or uncomfortable. And you’ve done your due diligence with equine professionals, time, and correct schooling… It might be time to check in on you, the rider!

    Clues from Video That You Might Need Work

    So, let’s say this is resonating and you’re thinking ‘Yes Lorna, there are a few things that I just can’t seem to get to the bottom of”… I want you to go out and get a video of you riding. Once you have your video, you’re going to review it.

    Here are some things to look out for when you rewatch a riding video:

          • One stirrup looks longer, even though they were even at the start
          • The saddle consistently slips to one side
          • You collapse your ribs or shoulder on one rein
          • One leg swings while the other is stable
          • Your hands are uneven – or one bounces more than the other
          • You look like a handbrake through your lower back, blocking the energy

    This is not a complete list; there are so many ways this shows up. Ride circles on both reins and straight lines. Include transitions between gaits. And then watch what you’re doing… Keep in mind that none of this means you’re a “bad rider.” It’s just information that you now have to improve how you can show up in the saddle for you and your horse.

    We’ve all developed habits, compensations, and quirks over time, often from old injuries or daily life patterns. The point of the exercise is to identify yours so you can get professional help to ‘straighten things out’ ;) 

    Include Saddle Fit As Well…

    Another area I see riders disregard when it comes to how they are performing is how well the saddle fits. As riders, we can begin to almost obsess about how well our saddle fits our horse. And, yes, this is extremely important in the overall scheme of things.

    But a well-fitting saddle is not just about your horse. Your saddle needs to fit and support you as well. The saddle needs to fit both the horse and you. A piece of equipment that supports you both as you work together. 

    If the saddle is unbalanced, if the waist or twist is too wide, if the flap is too short or long for your leg length, or if the stirrup bars are in the wrong place for you… The result is a constant fight to achieve and maintain a good position and alignment. A saddle that doesn’t fit you well will cause the whole ride to feel ‘off’…  For you and your horse.

    A good saddle should support both members of the team. If it fits your horse but throws you out of balance,  that is a big problem that will impact everything

    How to Start Using Video Like a Coach

    So the first hurdle many riders fall at when it comes to video is overcomplicating things… You don’t need anything fancy to start with. If you’ve got a smartphone, prop it up somewhere and try to ride within the frame. If you have a helper, ask them to hold the phone and follow you around for a bit… And if you have a Pivo – well, you’re on the pig’s back ;)

    Set yourself a goal to record 5 minutes of a regular ride. No pressure, no fancy exercises. Just the normal day to day stuff you do when you’re working with your horse. 

    Then set aside time where you can, without interruptions, watch it back. Try to ride with the camera in mind so that you can rewatch with a few different angles visible, if possible. And if you notice that you’re not ‘even Stephen’ as you ride. Well, that is a good sign that you might need some ‘work’ ;)

    My suggestion would be to find a reputable professional, speak with them about what you have noticed, and ask if they could help ‘straighten you out’!  

    Finding a Professional for You

    This is your opportunity to book a bodywork session for yourself! Bonus points if the person you choose to work with has experience working with other equestrians or horses. I personally would almost always seek a chiropractor or osteopath first. This is just my personal preference. But there are so many other professionals who can help you here… A physiotherapist, craniosacral therapist, massage therapist, body worker… The list is endless. And that is without even considering acupuncture, acupressure, Reiki, etc.

    Keep in mind that making and attending 1 or 2 appointments with these professionals is only the beginning of the journey to symmetry and straightness! The work is ongoing to improve and iron things out in the saddle. 

    This is where a dedicated pilates instructor for equestrians, or a yoga instructor, can really help you to develop symmetry throughout your body. A personal trainer who has a good understanding of riding can also do the same. My point is that just visiting someone once and expecting them to perform a lasting miracle is unfair to the person, yourself, and your horse. There’s always more work to be done!

    Remember, if you noticed something crooked or ‘off’ about your horse on the video, you wouldn’t hesitate to call someone in. Apply the same care and compassion to yourself.

    Hate Watching Yourself?

    Finally, let’s talk about the elephant in the arena.  Most riders hate watching themselves ride. They will come up with all sorts of reasons not to video and review their own performance. And I get it; it can be really uncomfortable!  You inevitably see things you don’t like. And you may need to resist the temptation to fast-forward through it. Or delete it altogether!

    But remember, you are 50% of the team.  And if you want to truly transition from being a passenger to being a ‘rider’, this is often necessary. Essential even!

    Yes, you might feel vulnerable. But do you know what’s on the other side of that mental discomfort? A straighter, stronger, and more effective you in the saddle. And your horse will thank you because you can finally stop drilling down on the thing that your horse was only doing to compensate for you anyway!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Step by Step Video Today

    If you’re feeling motivated to get going with this, I’ve created a free resource you can use to make the most out of your videos. I will show you how to both get started and what to actually do when you ride to get the most out of your videos. This resource is absolutely free, and you can download it HERE

    Next time something feels “off” in the saddle, instead of just asking what’s wrong with your horse, ask yourself, “What might I be doing that’s making this harder for him?”. 

    Then get curious. Get courageous. And let video become your silent (but honest) coach ;)

    Ready to Dive Deeper?

    If this post is stirring something inside of you, and you’re starting to realise that the missing piece might be you (in the best possible way), I want to invite you to explore what it could look like to have support as you work through it.

    Restart & Reschool is a quarterly 13-week private coaching program where I work closely with riders like you to get clear, confident, and consistent in the saddle – by working with you just as much as your horse.

    If you’re curious, head to https://stridesforsuccess.com/rr for all the details and to join up. There are only 5 spaces available, so book yours today.

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  • [Training Scale Series] Part 5 – Developing True Straightness

    [Training Scale Series] Part 5 – Developing True Straightness

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    When I was first starting out as a rider, I thought that straightness was a simple and easy concept. I remember the first time someone told me that one of the hardest things to do on a horse was to ride a straight line.  I didn’t believe them!  However, turns out they might just have been right…

    This is part 5 in a series I have created about the Training Scale.  We have previously covered rhythm, suppleness, contact, and impulsion. Straightness is the fifth ‘step’ on the ladder or scale.

    Keep in mind that whenever you are working on the lower steps of the scale,  you are doing so with an eye on the top steps. And when working on the top steps, you are doing so through the filters of the lower steps of the scale.

    What is Straightness?

    It’s a bit of a trick question; the simple answer is ‘when I ride a straight line’, right?  Well, yes… And part of straightness is definitely being able to ride and work on a straight line.  But what about riding a straight line through a bend?

    Straightness is less about actually being ‘straight’ and more about the developed strength to be very specific about where you are travelling at any given point.  And the tracks you’re travelling on… 

    Imagine riding in a freshly harrowed sand arena with your horse.  As you ride, you will be able to clearly see your horse’s hoofprints in the sand. Once you have walked, trotted, and cantered a few lines and circles, you halt and have a look over the arena.  If you have been truly ‘straight’ through each movement, there will be parallel train tracks created by your horse’s feet, wherever you rode in the arena.

    Your horse’s back left foot will have followed in the same track as his front left foot.  And, similarly, his back right foot will do the same with the front right foot. 

    This is regardless of if you are traveling on a straight line, let’s say A to C. Or if you are riding a circle, loop, serpentine, or simply through the corner.  The only place this won’t apply is if you asked for some lateral work with your horse.  And yet, lateral work also requires a level of straightness, in the flow of the energy.

    Straightness is Like a Train

    Another way to think of straightness is to imagine a train.  When it goes around a corner or a bend, the tracks remain parallel to each other all the way through that turn.

    Regardless of how many carriages the train has, wherever the front carriage of the train travels, the back carriage will follow in the exact same place. If the back carriage swings out, or if the front carriage turns short the train will lack straightness and derail.  Your horse is the same.

    If you take the picture of yourself and your horse’s tracks in the freshly harrowed sand arena and superimpose the train tracks, you will have a good idea of what straightness is.

    What Causes Crookedness?

    What makes straightness confusing is figuring out if any crookedness is begin caused by the rider or the horse.  It’s a little like the chicken and the egg. Which came first and is influencing the other!  In order to achieve true straightness, it must be developed and strengthened in both horse and rider.

    If you are noticing that there is any crookedness present through your horse, I am going to strongly suggest assessing yourself first. 

    Keep in mind that crookedness can come from both lopsidedness and a lack of strength.  This is true for horses and riders.  I personally find that yoga is a great way to identify any lack of symmetry and strength in my body.  It also shines a light on areas of tightness, stiffness, or tension.  A lack of suppleness.

    If there is any lack of movement or flow through your own body, suppleness, it will show up in your horse, particularly when bigger questions are asked. 

    Strengthening Your Horse

    Developing symmetry and strength is key to correctly train your horse. Horses are very similar to us in that they usually have a dominant side.  This is just like how you may favour your right side if you are right handed. You may notice when you do a certain set of exercises with your horse, it is going to be a lot easier for him on one side, or the other.

    Easier being that he can continue to maintain relaxation, rhythm, suppleness, and contact throughout the movement.

    When we notice a weakness, there is a tendency to ‘double down’ on the ‘bad’ side. Unfortunately, this rarely works or helps in the long term.  Imagine if someone kept making you do something you find difficult, you definitely wouldn’t enjoy doing it! You might even become a little ‘sour’😉

    It is far better to ‘sprinkle’ the difficult things through the ride.  Mix the ‘bigger questions’ up with things your horse enjoys and finds easy.  This way your horse will continue to enjoy his work as well.

    Knowing your horse’s dominant side is important when you begin to work towards true straightness.  It allows you to become clear on any potential pitfalls that might show up, and how you can create a program to suit your horse’s individual needs.

    Spotting Weaknesses in Your Horse

    Sometimes, weaknesses are very obvious and easy to spot. It could be that your horse falls in on a circle.  Or he might swing his hindquarters out. You might also feel or see a ‘bulge’.  This can feel like he is pushing against or bracing against you or your aids.  There may also be resistance to questions.   All of this works against true straightness.

    If we go back a few steps and look at how, by working on suppleness, we begin letting energy flow, we can often see how this leads to straightness.  If your horse is not truly straight, you will feel an unequal thrust, which will result in crookedness or ‘buckling’.  This affects the overall balance and performance of the horse.

    Once the energy is flowing, we then begin to funnel it into a channel.  When we are intentional about where we want it to go, noticing any that is going elsewhere becomes easier!

    Start the next time you ride your horse by becoming more mindful about the simple basics. Perhaps go from a walk to a halt, and notice whether he is truly straight? Or if there is perhaps a ‘bulge’, a shift of energy, or even an actual shift of the horse’s body.

    Notice all of the seemingly little things. And then use what you find out to create a plan to begin developing true, equal, strength in your horse. This will lead to straightness.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More, More, More… To Help You :)

  • Crookedness in the Saddle; Identifying Yours

    Crookedness in the Saddle; Identifying Yours

    Crookedness – it is a word and a concept that is continuously showing up when we talk about horses, riding and training… It is also a little like the ‘chicken and the egg’ – which comes first?  Many riders make the mistake of thinking it is only the horse we are speaking about. Meanwhile, riders can be just as crooked, if not more so, than their horses – and because of the relationship, one will always affect the other.

    When was the last time you honestly assess how straight or crooked you are when you are riding? Perhaps it all looks good when you are actually riding on the straight; but things become a little twisted when any change (either in direction, gait, tempo) happens.

    Crookedness in riders shows up in lots of different ways.  Sometimes it is very obvious, the stirrups are different lengths, or the rider is leaning.  But other times it can be very subtle; perhaps the horse becomes disunited in the canter, or a hand or arm tends to dip on a corner.

    Regardless of the degree of crookedness, what is almost agreed upon by all riders is that unless a conscious effort is made to practice symmetry in the saddle, crookedness will creep into your riding in some form or other.  This is simply because all people have a dominant side, which will compensate for the weaker side – particularly when the going gets tough.

    So, this being said, what can we do as riders to become more straight and, how can we then influence our horses to follow suit with us?

    Assessing your horse & saddle

    What many riders don’t realise is that crookedness is sometimes created by the horse itself or the saddle.  Horses, just like us, have a dominant side.  Why this is so has been the topic of many debates and there are many schools of thought on it – however what is important is that your horse favours one side or the other.  Taking this into account and depending on the work or training a horse does, this can sometimes lead to the horse becoming unevenly muscled.  One side of the body will become disproportionately stronger – and therefore larger – than the other.  If the shoulder or back muscles are involved, this will then affect how the rider sits on the horse.

    Crookedness in the Saddle - Identifying Yours

    The other consideration before you even mount up is the flocking or padding in your saddle.  Over time saddles become worn, just like a shoe would on your foot.  This ‘shape’ can be influenced by a few different things, the rider, the horse or the quality of the saddle in general.  The result is that the saddle is no longer symmetrical.  This lack of symmetry can often be the cause of the uneven stirrups, or one seat bone being more forward or dropped than the other.

    I suggest having a good look at both your horse and your saddle and stirrup leathers.  See if there are any noticeable differences between the right and left side.  If there are, have an appropriate professional assess ad make changes where necessary.  Once that is done, you can then turn your attention to yourself.

    Assess your reflection

    Unfortunately not all riders are blessed to have mirrors in their arena, however this does not mean that they cannot make use of other ways to assess their crookedness when they are riding.  There are windows that you can use as mirrors.  You can also use your shadow on the ground.  Both of those suggestions definitely require a little more effort on your part, but if needs must…

    Begin by halting in front of the mirror / window / shadow.  Square your horses shoulders to it, so you can see exactly how ‘equal’ you are on either side of your horse.  Assuming that you have already checked your equipment and horse to make sure the issue is not stemming from there, check are your stirrups the same length?  Are your shoulders the same height?  If you and your horse could be safely chopped in half, head to tail, would both sides be an exact copy of each other?

    Keep in mind that, if your head is also ‘straight’, your eyes won’t lie to you.  Many riders spend so long being crooked that it feels ‘normal’ .  In fact, when they are corrected, it feels so unusual and different, your brain tells you that it couldn’t possibly be right.

    If you have been harbouring a certain crookedness in your riding for any length of time, you may very well have to retrain your brain to what is actually straight again. 

    If you do notice any crookedness here, look at ways you can measure this quickly when you move away from the mirror.  Maybe it will involve looking if your knees are symmetrical.  Or perhaps it you can place stickers on your clothes, marking your left and right point of shoulder, or hip.  There are lots of ways you can get creative, but what is important is that you know what actual straight feels like and keep correcting things back to there.

    Finding Straight when Riding

    Once you have a good idea of what straight looks and feels like at the halt, you can begin accessing your position when riding.  This is where your dominant side plays a big part, and where your markers or stickers will really help you if you don’t have mirrors in your arena.

    Crookedness in the Saddle - Identifying yours

    Start off in walk on the straight.  Notice if you are remaining symmetrical.  Try focus your attention on your seat bones in particular, and the way your weight is distributed between them.  It should be equally or evenly balanced between both seat bones.

    Confusingly for many riders, ‘weighting’ your seat bone does not involved shifting your weight or lifting your weight off your other seat bone.  It rather involves the muscles in your pelvic and core areas.

    Keep in mind that regardless of what you are doing, their should be an equal amount of your body on either side of the horse.  The left will not visit the right and vice versa.  If you find yourself leaning or shifting over, bring it back to centre and straight before trying again.

    Becoming a positive influence

    It is only through continuous correction that you will overcome any crookedness in your riding.  Once you are truly straight, you may find that a lot of your horses ‘crookedness’ will also vanish.  As riders our relationship with our horse is a unique and special one.  We are directly influencing each other all the time when riding.

    Let your influence on your horse be a truly positive and straight one

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    There are 4 audio programs of step by step instructions on this topic waiting for you inside of Daily Strides Premium.  You can simply download them to your phone and listen while you ride.  You can find out more about Daily Strides Premium HERE

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