Strides for Success

Tag: plan

  • 7 Circles, 5 Serpentines, 4 figures of eight; on repeat…? What’s Your Riding Routine?

    7 Circles, 5 Serpentines, 4 figures of eight; on repeat…? What’s Your Riding Routine?

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/dailystridespodcast/1219_Whats_Your_Riding_Routine_and_is_It_Helping_or_Hindering_Your_Riding.mp3″ title=”7 Circles on Repeat? What’s Your Riding Routine with Your Horse?” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Listen to this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast if your riding routine is feeling a little ‘meh’ with your horse!” hashtag=”horsepodcast” twitter_username=”stridesforsuccess” ]

    What does your average ride or training session with your horse look like?  Do you have a riding routine that you follow? If yours is leaning towards, or if it already is, a little too predictable; maybe it’s time for a change?  While riding the same sequence often can sometimes be beneficial to your riding and training (more on that later), for the most part, it will only help habits to creep in.  And usually not the greatest of habits.

    Doing anything the same way, on repeat, almost always has the same effect.  Your body (and your horse) will look for the easiest, most efficient way of doing it; which probably won’t truly serve you!

    This is because, usually, the ‘easiest’ or ‘most energy saving’ way is not the best way; particularly when we are focused on developing and training.  So, why do we fall into the trap of riding 7 circles, 5 Serpentines, 4 figures of eight (or whatever your ‘go to’ routine?  And why do we continue to repeat it over and over again?

    If It Worked Once…

    For most riders, their version of the riding routine is born out of a series of exercises that they rode once or twice that produced a certain outcome. 

    Now, the outcome it produced might not necessarily have been the one they truly desired.  It could just have been a thought, which produced a certain feeling or emotion in your body.  Like ‘satisfaction’ or ‘accomplishment.  This is particularly true for riders who, in the past, have struggled to ‘find things to do’ with their horse.

    The fact that they continued to ‘work’ their horse for 30 minutes or so makes them feel successful.  This feeling is based on the quantity of the work, not the quality. 

    Another way a riding routine can work once, and in doing so quickly become the ‘go to’ routine is to do with behavior.  The horse may have responded or understood what the rider wanted that particular ride.  Sometimes the riding routine itself can be the catalyst for this happening.  However, more often than not, it has more to do with the specific circumstances of the individual ride.

    So ‘No’ to a Riding Routine Then?

    Not necessarily… I do believe in routines to help set the tone for the conversation.  I am also a fan of developing specific routines to achieve specific outcomes.  But these are more foundational.  I believe that routines help to develop the rhythm for the session or work you are focusing on with your horse. And that is the key.

    A routine can help to set the tone for the schooling session with your horse.  However, it’s the intention or focus that then guides the conversation forward.  

    By creating a specific intention for each movement, you can begin to make your riding routine work for you.  And I think that each intention should be a stepping stone of sorts towards a specific goal or desire.  The type of goal is not really important; it’s your commitment to achieving it that counts.

    Riding a circle for the sake of riding a circle will not help you or your horse in the long run.  However, that same circle, if used to increase suppleness, establish a rhythm, develop contact, gather energy, or any number of things you can focus on in your riding – is where the power of riding the circle lies. 

    Setting an Intention

    So, if the riding routine itself is not really the issue.  Rather the lack of intention with how we repeat it that is, how do you develop intention. I have many previous episodes and articles on goal setting (I will link to some below this article). However, there is also a quick way to figure this out…

    A quick and simple way is to ask yourself the question “If I could achieve one training outcome today with my horse, what would that be?

    Once you have the answer to this question, the next step is to identify what needs to be in place for this to occur.  For example.  If your answer is ‘riding a clean upward transition into the canter’, I would suggest basing the first few movements of your regular riding routine around responsiveness.

    Use your version of the “7 Circles, 5 Serpentines, 4 figures of eight” to work on the elements you need in place in order to reach your desired outcome or result for the ride. 

    The Positive Aspects of a Riding Routine

    Okay, so you can probably tell that I am not completely against having a riding routine for you and your horse.  A go-to, tried and tested set of exercises that you can ride to help you get a specific result.  And there are other ways that your individual riding routine can help you develop your skills and train your horse.

    By riding a specific riding routine regularly, you can begin to see the results of your training. You will feel (and see if you take regular videos) the differences as you and your horse improve. 

    A regular riding routine will also allow you to make strategic changes to your methods, training, equipment or anything else that can have an impact on your riding. By creating a baseline with your regular routine, you can then see the results of any changes you make.

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    A Plan For Each Ride

    If you are still feeling uninspired or bored in your regular riding routine, perhaps having someone else create the plan will help?  Every week, I help riders all over the world to work towards specific outcomes with their horse using my guided audio horse riding lessons.

    Simply mount up, press play, and work through the movements and exercises with your horse; all focusing on developing or improving a specific outcome in your riding

    Knowing that each ride, or groundwork session, or lunging session, will now help you to improve your skills will turn your riding around.  You can find all the details about Connection HERE.  And if you are going to ride your horse later, what will your intention for your version of “7 Circles, 5 Serpentines, 4 figures of eight” be?

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Extra Links to Help Equestrians

     

  • Making a Success with Shorter Riding Times

    Making a Success with Shorter Riding Times

    Making a Success of Shorter Riding Times

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

    • Have a plan for what you are going to do
    • Get as much ready as you can in advance
    • Create and stick to a routine that works
    • Learn to say no to distractions…!

    [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1068-Making-a-Success-of-Shorter-Riding-Times.mp3″ title=”Making the Most of Shorter Riding Times” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Winter is here for many riders & this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast will help you make the most of the limited time in the saddle…” hashtag=”horseriding” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    Many riders find that, from time to time due to other responsibilities, they have shorter riding times to spend in the saddle.  If you are feeling like this right now, this is the episode for you.  Today we are chatting about making the most of your time.

    As I am writing this blog post, it is that time of the year again.  Winter is on its way in the top half of the world.  The days are getting shorter, which means there is less time riding.   Summer is also making its presence felt in the bottom half of the world, meaning soaring temperatures and, again, less than ideal conditions for riding for many riders.

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast I want to give you a few ideas on how to make the most of your riding time, when time is not on your side!  In these situations, it is often easier to leave riding.  However, this can lead to a bad habit setting in.

    One of the first suggestion I am going to make to help make sure you are getting in the saddle is to create a plan…

    Have a Plan for what You are Going To Work On

    If you have been a listener or reader of my content for any length of time, you will know that i am all about having a plan for each ride.  An intention for each and every interaction and ride you have with your horse.

    Indecision is one of the biggest road blocks riders struggle to overcome in their riding.  A concrete plan will make sure you don’t fall victim to a ‘I don’t know what to do, so I will just do nothing’ way of thinking. 

    When I talk about having a plan, I mean knowing exactly which exercises you are going to work on for that particular day.  I suggest choosing one or two that work towards a similar theme – your intention – for the ride.

    Creating Your Plan Based on Your Goals

    Many riders feel a little overwhelmed when thinking about this, however in my experience, it really does not have to be difficult at all. Firstly, think about what you would like to see improve three months from now.  Maybe it is overall suppleness so you can ride a balanced 15m circle for example.

    Once you have made your decision, create a goal out of it.  Remember to make it something that you can actually see or feel when it happens (like the 15m circle). From your goal, choose three different themes for each month inside of those three months.

    Again, if we take the suppleness, maybe month one can be responsiveness & forwardness.  Month two can be rhythm and month three can be basic straightness.  From here, I would begin looking for exercises that focus on the month one theme.  You can also identify exercises that compliment that theme.

    You don’t need a different exercise for each day, but perhaps have 7 or 8 exercises over a month or 4 week period and weave them in and out of your schedule.  This way you can see what your horse responds to best.

    This will also help you to begin creating warm-up plans to suit your horses individual needs. 

    Get as Much As You Can Ready In Advance

    You can also begin identifying where you are spending your precious time with your horse.  From here,  you can begin to make changes that will allow you to spend more of your time in the saddle.

    One example is if your horse is boarding at a barn, to arrange for somebody to have him in for you when you arrive. Or maybe you can ask that his feeding times be adjusted slightly to give you more time schooling with him. If your horse lives out or is turned out, a blanket can save you with your grooming time.

    Your own unique circumstances will dictate where you can begin making changes.  So many of us get stuck in the rut of doing things a certain way because that is the way we have always done those things… 

    Actively look for ways you can make changes that will positively impact your time with your horse.

    Create a Routine that Works with Shorter Riding Times

    I have already mentioned how riding similar exercises will help you to begin identifying warm ups that suit your horse.  If you had a routine warm up you could use when time was of the essence, imagine how much more time you could spend schooling…

    I believe that you should have different routines for different things. I also believe that your routine creates the rhythm, which sets the tone for the conversation with your horse.

    Create routines that support you both. An example would be if you are working with a younger horse, or a more sensitive / hot horse, and your intention is to work on relaxation and rhythm. Arriving at the yard feeling stressed, then continuing to rush and race through grooming and tacking up will only make your goal more difficult to achieve. 

    If you find you are a little ‘off track’, go back.  Realign yourself with your theme for the month and then decide what is the best tone to aim for with your conversation in order to achieve that theme.

    Learn to Say No to Distractions…!

    Finally, learn to say no!  It is so easy to get caught up in other’s stories and what is going on at the barn. You need to be focused on what you have planned to do for that particular day, and not allow yourself to become distracted.

    Don’t allow others to side track you from what you and your horse are working towards.  Their agenda is just that, theirs.

    It is your job to keep your focus trained on your own intention, especially when you are trying to make the most of shorter riding times.

    Informing Your VIPs and Allowing them to Support You

    We all have important people in our lives.  Our partner, our children, our co-workers, our boss, our staff… So many people who can potentially support us, but only if we make our intentions and plans known to them.  Look for ways you can delegate or shuffle things around.  Find opportunities to batch things together.

    Letting the VIPs in your life know why you are making the changes will allow them to play a more supportive role in helping you make riding a reality – even when time is limited. 

    It may be as simple as ‘double cooking’ two nights a week.  Or eating left-overs or a take-out for dinner!  I could be having a neighbour or grandparent to ferry the children around on a particular afternoon.  Or asking your partner to walk the dog two days a week.

    Shorter Riding Times can Move You Forward

    Trust me, if you actually make a plan and get out and ride, you will feel that you have accomplished something and have moved things forward.

    Even if the ride itself was not all that great, the fact that you made it happen goes a long way to actually setting the tone for what you and your horse will be doing in the future.

    Remember, shorter riding times does not have to mean the end of progress for you and your horse.  In fact, you can use this as a opportunity to really laser focus your intentions and make things happen for you and your horse.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    I am hosting a free live online training on Relaxation in Riding and I would love for you to join me there…  If you’re interested, you can register for your seat by CLICKING HERE

    Sign Up for the FREE online live training

    Links mentioned in the episode:-

     

  • Whats Holding You Back in Your Riding?

    Whats Holding You Back in Your Riding?

    What's holding you back in your Riding?
    Seems like a simple enough questions, doesn’t it? And when you read the above question, ‘what is holding me back in my riding?’, you probably instantly answered it in your head.

    What was your answer?

    Now, most of the time I am all for taking the first answer that jumps into your head, the intuitive answer.  Except today, I want you to dig a little deeper…

    Why?

    Well, because very often what is holding you back in your riding is either a story you keep telling yourself and others, or an excuse that you have formulated to protect yourself from something ‘uncomfortable’…

    It sounds harsh and it is probably not what you wanted to read when you started this post.  However, in order to really uncover what is holding you back, you need to begin to become very honest with yourself and identify why you are really allowing things to stop you from progressing with your riding.

    Unmasking Your Stories

    Have you ever noticed how what you continue to tell yourself, will usually become a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts?

    It is so important as a rider to become aware of the internal conversations you are having every day – and editing them where necessary.  

    The reason these ‘conversations’ become a reality is that your brain will actively seek out ways to confirm and validate your beliefs.  If you think that you cannot canter due to an injury you had twenty years ago, guess what?  You probably won’t be able to canter because of that injury you had twenty years ago!

    However, if you start to tell yourself a new story, your brain will – over time – begin to look for ways to confirm that.  This allows you space and room to begin moving away from the old, original story.

    Over time you can completely change your beliefs about what you can or cannot do.  You can mould your beliefs into you need them to look like in order to move forward.

    Now, it is important that we don’t actually go out and tell ‘porkies’ or lie to ourselves and others here.  But rather turn the story around.  Your old ‘I can’t canter due to old injury’ story can become ‘I’m working towards learning to canter again’.

    This is a true story; in fact it was exactly what you were doing all along, it is just how you have phrased it or ‘told the story’ that has changed.

    So, start with becoming really aware of what you are telling yourself and others, and editing where necessary to suit how you want your riding to progress.

    Unmasking Your Excuses

    Ohhh, this one will make me a little unpopular!  However many of the ‘reasons’ we tell ourselves things are the way they are – are actually excuses in disguise.

    A reason is an explanation of what happened and why it happened.  It is logical.

    An excuse is a reason that tries to justify what happened.  Blame is usually placed somewhere – and rarely is it correctly placed.

    Most people find that when they are using excuses to justify something, they have to defend it.  It is not just stating the facts of the situation.  They feel they must hammer the point home.

    What's holding you back in your riding?
    If we take the transition out of the canter back to trot, for example, the excuse might look like “my transitions are not smooth because the trot is too bouncy when I transition down”.  A reason would look like “I struggle to remain balanced as the horse transitions back to the trot.”

    The difference?  The excuse puts the responsibility of the problem out of your control.  The reason states the facts – and gives you a focus point on where to begin working on your riding, the balance.

    As you ride today, put all your ‘challenges’ through the excuse / reason filter and begin editing where necessary in order to put the ball back in your court.  Taking responsibility is the only way you can begin to actively improve your riding.

    Honesty and Compassion

    Once you have begun to get clear on what you are telling yourself and others, it is important to make sure you don’t fall into the trap of beating yourself up.

    There is a fine line between taking responsibility for your riding faults and depreciating your abilities in the saddle.

    We are all on a journey with our riding.  Your journey is unique to you.  Beating yourself up over a lack of progress will only serve to damage your confidence in your abilities in the long run.

    These exercises are to help you get ‘unstuck’ when it comes to your progress.  Make sure that the ‘excuse pendulum’ does not swing back the opposite way and you begin laying all the blame at your own feet.

    There is a balance in riding.  There are many moving parts.  There can be many reasons things are not working out…  Explore all the different possibilities before creating a plan to move forward. 

    By being really honest with yourself and then compassionate enough to accept that you will not be immediately brilliant at everything you do, you will open to the door to explore what things you do need help with.

    Your mindset is the first key to begin making changes in your riding.  Spend the next few days being aware of the stories you are telling and the excuses you are using in your riding. These are the keys to beginning to really unveil whatever it is that is truly holding you back in your riding.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Once you are figured out what is holding you back, taking action on removing that block is essential. Knowledge is only power when we use it to make something happen.

    Join our free Facebook group, filled with riders from all over the world on a journey to improve their riding – one step at a time. Sometimes letting someone know that you intend to take action on something is enough to start that ‘change’ ball rolling.

    Share your story HERE and let me know what your first ‘action step’ is to get over what is holding you back from being the rider you want to be.

    Good luck!
    Lorna
    What's holding you back in your riding?

    Returning to Riding

    Are you returning to riding?  Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with it all?  I may just have the thing to help you get back into the saddle – and enjoying yourself there again!

    The Original Returning to Riding Plan is a complete step by step audio program that takes you from ‘not riding’ to regularly riding and enjoying yourself again.  The plan is laid out over 6 weeks, however, you have lifetime access to go over it again and again as you want in the coming weeks, months, and years.

    You can find all the details HERE.  And I wish you all the best in making your ‘Returning to Riding’ as enjoyable and successful as you dreamed it would be :)

  • 3 Keys to Maintaining Progress in Your Riding

    3 Keys to Maintaining Progress in Your Riding

    Horse riding is a skill that is always a work in progress. A rider can never truly claim to have finished or completed their training… That being said, one of the more frequent questions I get asked by new riders is “how long will it take until I can ride?”.  Which inevitably leads to thoughts of “How long is a piece of string?” and a long conversation!

    But, seriously, if we don’t ever have a true ‘end-point’, how do we keep moving forward & motivated?

    1. Discover what inspires you

    I know, the word ‘inspiration’ can be a little overused in this day and age, particularly when coupled with the words Pinterest and Instagram. However, knowing what you like and developing your style when it comes to riding is very often dictated by what you see and experience.

    Notice what excites you.  Take heed of the things that spark your imagination regarding whats possible with you and your horse. Then begin to thread some of those into your everyday reality with your horse.  What can this look like?

    • Saving up for those jodhpurs
    • Booking that riding holiday
    • Reserving your place in the upcoming clinic
    • Baking those treats for your horse
    • Organising that trail ride with a friend
    • Entering that upcoming competition

    The list of possibilities is endless because inspiration is everywhere.  Also, your combination of things that inspire you, is unique to you.  Some may be simple and easy to implement, others may involve more time or money in order to make happen.  Either way, what matters is that you begin paying attention to what makes you want to get in the saddle and be a better rider.

    2. Share your experiences with others

    “A joy that’s shared is a joy made double” ~ John Ray

    How true this is.  Horse riding is often seen by non riders as not being a team sport.  Anyone who has ridden a horse will of course know that the rider and horse makes the team.  But equally as important to your success and happiness are the people you are riding with.  They will very often have a sizeable influence on your experiences in the saddle.

    If you have not already, I strongly suggest that you begin seeking out like-minded riders with whom you can share your experiences with; both when in the saddle and having a cuppa at the stables.  Having a good support system is often the difference between you becoming a confident rider who makes progress in developing your skills and you becoming anxious, nervous rider who seems destined to ride the same year, over and over again!

    This may just mean moving barns or yards.  Or, maybe you can join a riding club that focuses on a discipline you enjoy.  If location is an issue, this could look like finding support and friendships in an online space and environment.

    Regardless of what your situation or circumstance is, begin cultivating relationships that support you in your riding.  Having cheerleaders makes the good times better and will help get you into the saddle again when the going gets tough.
    3 Keys to Maintaining Progress in Your Horse Riding

    3. See your riding as a journey

    All good journeys happen on the way to somewhere…  That somewhere does not have to be the final destination in your riding, however knowing you want to reach a specific place opens up a lot of different options regarding how you will get there.

    Many riders make the mistake of creating a single goal for their riding; which in itself is not a bad idea.  The trouble arises when they fail to create a plan of how to get there.  It is like me setting out the front door of my house here in Ireland with the goal of reaching my farm in South Africa – but having no map or itinerary to get there!

    The journey would be haphazard, frustrating and long – at best!  I would probably make it to my end goal, but whether or not I would do so safely and in a ‘timely fashion’ is up for debate!  Needless to say, this would not be a good way to reach my goal.

    Many riders approach their riding in this exact way.  A destination is chosen – but no plan is created to get them there.

    Having a plan, even a lose one, is the best way to actually make things happen in your riding.  The plan does not have to be set in stone.  In fact, it is almost impossible to create a detailed plan further than 4 to 6 weeks out when it comes to horses.  Rather create a series of loosely mapped out ‘mini’ goals.  One will lead on to the next, which will lead to the next… This is your journey with your horse. This journey will eventually take you to that ‘place’.  The destination or goal; the one thing you wanted.  From here, you can choose a new destination and all the fun places you can visit on your way there!

    Keep in mind that the plan ‘will’ change.  Horses have an uncanny ability to test our flexibility and willingness to persevere with something.  But if you know where your destination is, a detour or two along the way is not the end of the world – and who knows what you might discover or experience along the way.

    3 keys to maintining progress in your riding

    Take Action Today

    So, as you were reading this blog post, what ideas and thoughts popped into your mind.  What have you seen lately that inspired you?  Who can you share it with?  If you don’t have anyone right now, where can you begin seeking out like-minded riders?  Riders to keep you company on your journey.

    And, staying on the whole ‘journey’ theme; where will your next destination be when it comes to your riding?

    I would love to hear from you in the comments below.  Perhaps you can inspire another rider who is feeling a little ‘lost’ right now where their horse riding journey is concerned.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Every week I create a series of audio horse riding programs that riders can download and listen to while they ride their horse.  It’s like having an instructor with them in the arena!  Daily Strides Premium is where all these ‘lessons’, past and present are waiting for you.

    The programs are divided into Collections; Leg Aids, Groundwork, Basic Training, Cantering, Gridwork, Reschooling, Seat Aids, Healthcare to name a few.  Give Daily Strides Premium a try today – and make EVERY ride great.