Strides for Success

Tag: planning

  • A Warm Up Plan that Gets Results in Your Riding

    A Warm Up Plan that Gets Results in Your Riding

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/dailystridespodcast/1215_Creating_A_Warm_Up_that_Gets_Results_in_Your_Riding.mp3″ title=”Creating a Warm Up Plan to Maximise Results in Your Riding” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Make your warm up with your horse go so much further with these simple tips…” hashtag=”equestrianpodcast #horsepodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    What would happen to your riding if you began to put a little more effort and intention into each warm up?  Many riders are literally setting a timer for each warm up.  5 minutes of walking, followed by some trotting and maybe a canter or three…

    Your warm up is a way to set the tone of the whole conversation with your horse.  Whether that is a groundwork session, a lunging session, a ride in the arena, or a ride on the trail.  

    By setting an intention and then tweaking your actions based on the results, you can literally change the whole ride.  Here is how I suggest getting started with creating a better warm-up in your riding.

     1. Have a Clear Intention for the Session

    Riding for the sake of riding doesn’t work.  It may be fun in the short term. However, over time, that excitement and fun will wane.  This is where having an intention for each ride becomes so important.  If you are feeling a little lost about this, use this FREE PLANNER to help you.

    Once you know what the desired outcome is for the session or ride, you can begin to tailor a warm up that will help to support that. 

     2. Set the Tone for the Conversation

    Different goals or intentions require different energy levels and rhythms.  I am a firm believer in using every part of the interaction to grow and develop the conversation.

    Your conversation begins with your horse as soon as you become aware of each other. Use this time as an opportunity to set the tone.

    Think about what it is you want to achieve in your ride.  What sort of energy and rhythm would support this? Be intentional with every action you take in order to create a rhythm that will work for you.  Your actions while grooming, your breathing. Also, remember to be consistent with your voice and tone.  All will help to set the next part up in the ride.

    If you fail to be intentional here, very often you will find yourself aligning with your horse’s energy.  And, sometimes, this is not the energy we want for the conversation!  

     3. Your Warm Up

    Riding for 10 minutes on a loose rein is not really warming up.  Yes, things are moving and blood is flowing… However, it is not really working towards anything.  In fact, just riding a specific number of laps or circles in a certain gait while warming up will usually result in the first 10 minutes of ‘work’ being the real warm up!

    Think about what your desired outcome is for the ride or session.  What can you do in those first 10 or 15 minutes to help get you and your horse working together?

    Now, I am not saying that it is wrong to ride four 20m circles on the right rein; and then repeat on the left…  However, I am suggesting having a very specific reason for riding those 4 circles.  Maybe it is to develop forwardness?  Or it could be to work on responsiveness.  Coordination (whether it be the horse, the rider, or both) is also a helpful focus.

    Your warm up is where you and your horse tune things so that you can really ‘play together’ when the actual work begins.  The question is, what will be the most beneficial element of the conversation to tune-up?

     4. Keeping Track of your Warm Up

    Finally, in order to see what is really working for you and your horse, you need to record your warm up.  I am hoping that you are keeping a riding journal?  If not, HERE’S why you should!  But assuming you are, you can begin to see what is helpful, and what’s not.

    Knowing what works for you and your horse will allow you the ability to create a routine. The routine is great to begin helping both of you focus on the upcoming session or work. 

    Be consistent with creating 3 or 4 different types of warm ups, with each leading to a different type of ride. Create a warm up for jumping.  Or a warm up for flatwork.  Lunging, hacking, groundwork, dressage, showjumping, cross country, trails, and all of the things can have different warm ups.

    • The routine of a warm up that works, will help to focus and settle both of you. This is particularly helpful if you are in a strange place (competition, clinic, etc.) or if there is any excess tension present.

    Play with What Works Best for Both of You

    My final piece of advice is to be strategic with any changes you make once you have found something that works.  Notice the result or outcome from each ‘change’.  Anything that improves focus, intention, and overall movement is a bonus.

    Your warm-ups have the potential to transform your rides or session with your horse.  However, you have to first be intentional with what you are doing and asking. 

    I am going to challenge you, this week, to be thinking about each conversation with your horse.  What can you change, become more consistent with, start doing, or stop doing to help improve your warm up?

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Resources:-

  • 5 Ways to Have Fun with Your Horse This Month

    5 Ways to Have Fun with Your Horse This Month

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/dailystridespodcast/1202_Being_Strategic_with_Fun_and_Your_Horse.mp3″ title=”5 Ways to Include More Fun with Your Horse This Month” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Has riding become a little ‘same old, same old’? Here’s a few ideas to include more fun…” hashtag=”horseriding” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    Fun can mean lots of different things to lots of different riders.  And your idea of what is really fun can change as you develop and grow as a rider.  I always encourage my riders to be intentional about including fun stuff in their plan or schedule with their horses.

    So, as you plan out your weekly riding, see where you can include one or two activities that you are including with the simple intention of having fun and enjoying the time with your horse. 

    Now, again, notice how what may have been fun when you rode horses as a teenager, might not be as much fun anymore. Pay attention to your day-to-day activities with your horse.  Anywhere you notice you are really just ‘having fun’, go deeper and see where it takes you.

    1 .  Groundwork

    2 . Natural Horsemanship

    3 . Grooming

    4 .  Relaxing together

    5 . Trails or Hacking

    Now, obviously, these are just a few ideas to get you started.  I have a more comprehensive list HERE where I explain how to being including fun in your riding as well. 

    What I would love to hear from you is how you are planning on intentionally including fun into your riding this week.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Links to Help You:-

  • Here’s Exactly What to Do In Your Riding This Week

    Here’s Exactly What to Do In Your Riding This Week

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    What are your plans for your riding this week? Specific plans… Not what you think you will do.  Or what you ‘might’ do if you have time…

    One of the biggest things that hold riders back, particularly riders who are working alone, is the lack of a plan. 

    And this does not have to be the case.  Yes, I get that you’re probably not a horse riding instructor or trainer.  I also realize that you have no real experience in creating the plan.  However, you know you best.  And, you also know what you want.

    So with those two things in mind, I am going to give you the step-by-step approach I advise my riders to use that will get you into the saddle with intention and purpose, week after week, going forward. 

    Get your journal out, pens at the ready… And let’s go :)

    1 . Identify What You Want

    Do you have a goal for yourself and your horse?  This time next year, where do you want to be when it comes to your riding and your overall relationship with your horse?  I am hoping that you have some sort of goal.  If not, I can almost guarantee you that your riding will begin to feel a little ‘same old, same old’ very soon!

    Once you have a longer-term goal, think about 3 months from now.  90 days or 12 weeks.  What would you like to achieve then that would help get you to that bigger, farther away from goal?

    Finally, what about 1 month from now.  28 days or 4 weeks… What do you want to have achieved?

    This goal can be something specific, like being able to strike off on the correct canter lead 90% of the time with your horse.  Or it can be more ‘action’ based, such as ‘I want to have ridden 16 times this month.  Whatever it is, write it down.  You’re going to work towards it this coming week.

    2 . Look For 3 Different Approaches

    Okay, once you have your goal for the upcoming month, I want you to begin thinking about different things you can do to work on that thing.  We rarely ever make progress in our riding by just focusing on a single aspect of something.  There is usually (always?) a more holistic approach needed.  Find those other ways…

    I am going to use ‘better canter transitions’ as the goal, and give you a few different ideas for different approaches based on improving that specific thing in your riding. 

    You can first approach it by working on your self-carriage and posture in order to give clearer and more specific aids to your horse.  The second approach is to work on your timing.  Remember, you can have the best aids in the world, but if you’re asking at the wrong time, it won’t matter!

    The third approach you can take to improving your canter transitions would be to work on suppleness & straightness.  This would be particularly useful if you notice that you or your horse are falling in, or falling out.  Maybe you’re buckling during the canter. These are the loose themes you can use to flesh out your week (and the rest of the month) in your riding schedule.

    The point is that all 3 of these approaches can be used to help you achieve a better transition into the canter, without actually having to keep constantly cantering over and over.  

    3 . Look at Your Schedule

    What is happening this coming week that you have to show up for?  These things are probably not horse related… But they have to be seen to or attended.  Mark those in your calendar.  Doctor appointments, shopping trips, farrier, work commitments, school commitments… Put them all in.

    Now, have a look and see where you have open space that you can fill with riding (riding being both actual riding, lunging, groundwork, and long lining)

    Keep in mind that we have a habit, as riders, of overestimating how much time we actually need when it comes to working with our horses.  However, 10 minutes of intentional, focused groundwork on one of your topics for the month will help move the conversation forward.

    Once you have your schedule, begin filling in the riding activities and exercises that you have chosen to work on with your horse.

    Try and get a blend of different activities, and approaches, to keep it fresh and interesting for both of you. 

    4 . Doing The Work…

    The final piece of the puzzle is to stay in integrity with yourself and do what you said you were going to do.  There will be days when you just don’t feel like going out in the cold or the sun. You might have days when your schedule goes a little ‘wonky’ and you will need to move things about.  It happens, so work with it.  However, on those days when you just don’t feel like it, push on through…

    Try to remember that the rider who created the schedule is probably a better version of the rider you are actually being today.  Follow her instructions, rather than yours at that exact moment in time! 

    And riding for the sake of riding will never move anything forward.  Clock in riding does not work, so rather work on the thing you said you would work on and see where it leads you :)

    Your Previous 20 Rides

    If you look back at the last 20 rides you’ve had with your horse, how many were planned and intentional?  If all 20 were that, well done.  You’re doing great keep going because I bet you are moving forward.

    However, if you have no real idea what you were doing and why you were doing it… Please, do yourself and your horse a favour and follow this plan for this week. 

    And not just for the week, try it for the month and then let me know how it goes. You can DM me on Instagram, or message me on Facebook.  I am looking forward to hearing from you.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Links to Help You:-

  • Stop Wasting & Start Investing Your Time with Your Horse

    Stop Wasting & Start Investing Your Time with Your Horse

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1176_Stop_Wasting_and_Begin_Investing_Your_Time_With_Your_Horse.mp3″ title=”Stop Wasting and Begin Investing Your Time with Your Horse” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Riding alone is not going to improve your riding…” hashtag=”equestrian #equestrianpodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    We are all guilty of wasting time at some point or another in our day to day lives. However, I want to challenge you for 1 month to NOT waste any more of your time with your horse. Riding for the sake of saying you rode is a waste of time. Clocking in the hours is not the same as being productive with those hours.

    And if you have stopped riding or you’re not riding as much as you ‘want’… Could it be that the riding you were doing was ‘wasting time’ rather than working towards something that really inspired you?

    Change is Okay & Maybe Necessary

    As I write this we are getting ready to begin the final month of 2020. The official year of the curveball. December is always a time when most people do a little review of what was, and begin planning goals for the new year.

    I personally don’t think you have to wait until the official end of a calendar year to do this, meaning if you are reading this in July 2021, apply this now!

    The world as a whole has changed so much recently, is it possible that the goals you set for yourself and your horse in December 2019 might need to be tweaked? Or even scrapped? Has this year benefited you regarding focus and identifying what is a priority? Or has it left you feeling uncertain about anything?

    I want you to read or listen to this with an open mind. A clean slate. And I would love it if you could set some goals with that same openness and readiness to start new and fresh if necessary.

    Your Time with Your Horse…

    Start with putting into actual words what makes you happy when you’re with your horse. What do you enjoy doing? Not what you ‘think’ you should enjoy doing… Only what you actually love to do and could potentially spend all day every day doing with your horse. Maybe it is groundwork. Trail riding? Practicing transitions. Grooming your horse’s tail (my personal favorite at this moment in time).

    If every interaction with your horse feels tiring, heavy, fear-filled, anxious, or any of those more negative emotions, I am going to bet that you are working on and towards the wrong things for you as a rider.

    So often we learn to discount our feelings regarding what we like and what we don’t. We have been trained to do what we don’t want to do in order to reach some goal. And yes, sometimes you will have to participate in some ‘uncomfortable’ moments in order to stretch and grow yourself. But EVERY SINGLE RIDE should not feel like that.  Your time with your horse will can be as enjoyable as you want it to be.

    The ‘hard stuff’ should be sprinkled in between the ‘good stuff’. If your average ride feels the other way around, it is up to you to change it.

    Old Goals – Permission to Drop Them

    I have been guilty of ‘carrying over’ goals from one year to the next regarding riding and life in general. The thinking is that “I didn’t achieve or reach that ‘yet’, so I’ll just bring it with me into the new year”. This is not a great strategy for success! And if you are also in the habit of doing this I am urging you to stop right now!

    Instead of automatically carrying goals from one year to the next, rather access what the reasons were for you not actually achieving those goals…

    If your goals were created by a previous version of you, is it possible that the current version of you is not really that into those same goals? Also, if your goals were created by someone else for you, is it again possible that they are not actually lighting you up when you’re in the saddle?

    Most goals that we don’t achieve or reach simply don’t align with our current values and priorities.

    Your Priorities & Values

    If I was to look at your actual schedule for the past month or 30 days, I’m going to see what you deem important right now in your life. And actual meaning what you really did – not what you wanted to or what you said you would do. This can be a harsh truth for many riders. It doesn’t need to be.

    Life has seasons. The key is to create riding goals that work with the current season you’re in.

    2020 has, for many riders, been an opportunity to get clear on what is really important. On what we want to protect and nurture when the proverbial fit is hitting the shan. Use this knowledge to help you create riding goals that work for you and your horse. Riding goals that support your current lifestyle, not steal from it or work against it.  Goals that allow you to make the most of your time with your horse.

    Get clear on what you value on your life. What comes first regarding your energy, your time and your focus. And what is non-negotiable.

    Work Towards Goals that Count

    From here, I strongly suggest figuring out what time you actually can spend on your riding. Again, make sure that this fits in with your current schedule and lifestyle. Use each interaction in a way that will move you closer to the goal that you have set.

    Remember to build fun into your training program. With your specific goal, what can you do once or twice a week that is fun for both you and your horse?

    This will help you to keep things fresh, keep things aligned, and keep you both interested in the job at hand. I believe that one of your greatest responsibilities as a rider is to ensure that your time with your horse is happy and productive for everyone.

    If you would like more help with this process, join me inside of Connection, my monthly membership for equestrians. In there I will help you to make the most of your time in the saddle.

    Intentional riding = investing your time in your own wellbeing, health, and your skills as a rider.

    Be intentional

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Resources on This Topic

  • A Plan for 7 Days in Your Riding

    A Plan for 7 Days in Your Riding

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1171_A_Plan_for_7_Days_in_Your_Riding.mp3″ title=”Create a Plan for 7 Days in Your Riding” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”What are you doing this week with your horse?” hashtag=”equestrianpodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    What will you be doing with your horse this week? Seem’s like an innocent enough question… ‘Ah, a bit of this and a dash of that’…

    And there is the problem. If you committed to actually planning out the answer to this question for the coming 4 weeks in your riding, you can, potentially, change everything.

    The Same Thing = The Same Result

    So many riders are doing the same thing, day in and day out, and then feeling frustrated by the lack of results.

    They go out there, day after day. Clock in their respective rides. For some, it might be 4 a week. Others might be happy with 2 a week. There is a feeling of accomplishment having ‘gotten in’ the two or four rides for that week. But what has really changed? What was intentional? Focused?

    And are your results merely reflecting your lack of doing anything different?

    Is it possible that you are, in fact, seeing results? You are failing to see them because they are simply the same ones you’ve been seeing for quite a while now… Doing the same thing over and over will achieve one result. The same one! Expecting anything different is wishful thinking!

    No Magic Portals

    As I write this, close to the end of October 2020, there are no portals that I know of. No quantum leaps or jumps that will take us from where we are to where we want to go. You cannot click your fingers and magically be at a different level in your riding or your abilities as a rider.

    The only way to get from Point A to Point B is to create a plan and then take action on that plan.

    I think what holds riders back with regards to their plan is the details. We tend to get too caught up in them. This causes two things to happen. 1. We simply stop taking action because it seems too complicated. 2. We put the plan into action because all the details are not yet ironed out.

    Creating CheckPoints

    This is where I believe checkpoints are important. Points that you know you have to reach in order to get to the bigger goal. How you get to those points is open to suggestions. There are many ways. And you must first make it to one point before really committing to how you’re you going to get to the next.

    Have a few key checkpoints identified for you and your horse. Then simply focus on the details regarding getting to the next one.

    One Week In Advance

    Once you have your loose plan and your identified checkpoints, you can then begin looking at the coming 7 days. Yep, only 7. The coming week. Sit down somewhere at the beginning of your week and plan out the next 7 days in your riding.

    Start by identifying what days you can actually work with your horse.

    Have a rough idea of how long you will have on each of those days. If there are days where you can only realistically get 45 minutes, begin thinking about what you can do for those 45 minutes to help you reach that next checkpoint.

    Your whole plan for the coming 7 days should center around two key elements; having fun and reaching your next checkpoint

    That’s it. Nothing fancy and definitely nothing that will only be really useful 4 checkpoints on from now. Keep it all simple and watch how it helps you move forward.

    Consistent for 4 Weeks

    I suggest an initial 12-week plan to all of my riders. However, if you have not done this before, I am going to ask you to give it a go for 4 weeks. If you are consistently doing things for 4 weeks that are moving you towards one specific checkpoint, you will see results in your riding.

    Success is simply doing the right things consistently. The right things are the ‘next steps’ to get you to that very next checkpoint.

    If you would like help with this, join Connection for a month. Connection is my online membership for equestrians. In there you will not only get a riding plan for the month but audio training you can use while riding to keep you focused and moving forward.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Resources for Equestrians

  • What’s Your Number in Riding?

    What’s Your Number in Riding?

    I recommend 16 to most of my riders. However, maybe your’s is 12. Or 20… The number is not really that important. What is important is that you choose one and then stick to it. And what does this number represent?

    Your number is the number of interactions you are committing to this month with your horse. Riding, lunging, groundwork or anything else in between!

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1161_What27s_Your_Number_In_Riding3F.mp3″ title=”What’s Your Number in Riding?” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Are you an equestrian? If so, what’s your number?” hashtag=”equestrianpodcast #horselover” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    What's Your Number in Your Riding?

    Your number must work with your current schedule and lifestyle in order for you to really use this method. So if you can only manage 3 rides a week, perfect. 12 is your number. If you can fit 5 in, go you! 20 is your number. Having your number is important. What you then do with that number has the power to change everything…

    Knowing your number in step 1. Creating a clear focus and intention for each of those numbers is step 2.

    Each Ride is a Stepping Stone

    You know those puzzles where you join the dots and the outline of a picture appears? When you have the dots clearly marked, 1 to 10 or A to Z, they are pretty easy to follow and you get to see a clear picture pretty easily.

    This is what planning your rides out can do for you and your horse. It allows you to see each interaction as a numbered step in order to reach a clearly defined goal or picture.

    Now, put this side by side with the exact same puzzle, however, this time, the dots are not numbered our outlined. You have to pick which one you are going to use next in order to create your picture. Can you see how it might take forever to get to the clear picture – if you ever get there at all…

    Just showing up for each ride and doing whatever it is you ‘feel’ like doing is the equavelnt of this in your riding.

    Setting an Intention for Each Interaction

    How many times have you got into the saddle and began working on what you ‘felt like’ working on? There is no shame here; most riders are doing this on a daily basis in their riding. And, every now and then, this can feel refreshing and inspiring.

    The problem with riding by feel is that your feelings change!

    You start off feeling like doing one thing, however, taking action on that thing causes your feelings to change. Suddenly you feel inspired to do the next thing, and then the next. What results is that you are jumping around from topic to topic without ever really focusing on one and seeing it through.

    Having a set plan before you ride will help you to remain focused. And that will help you to move forward with your riding goals. So even if your number is 12 or 8, you know that you have 12 or 8 intentional interactions with your horse this month that is all moving you in the same direction.

    Building in Wiggle Room into Your Riding

    The final part of your ‘plan’ is to give yourself and your horse a little grace. Building in a little wiggle room. There are going to be days and even weeks when things don’t go to plan. When you’re really not feeling like sticking to your plan. And that is okay. It’s your plan. You get to change it and tweak it.

    I suggest sticking to your number, but begin flexible with yourself regarding how you achieve the number

    So, if your number is 16 and on week 2 you only ride twice due to unforeseen circumstances, that is okay. Simply commit to making up those two rides later in the month somewhere. Or if you need to swap one day for another, that is fine. Go right ahead and do that if you need to.

    When you have a clear plan you can move things around and still reach the same result.

    Choosing the Stepping Stones for Your Riding

    The final piece to this puzzle is choosing the stepping stones. Choose what you are going to do each interaction with your horse. I have a method I use that I encourage my riders to also try in their riding. I think all work and no play makes for a sour rider and a sour horse.

    I encourage you to add different elements to your riding plan. And remember build in both fun and training.

    We ride because of how it makes us feel. You can continue to have riding feel good for you and your horse by having the riding influence your feelings, rather than your feelings dictate your ride.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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