Strides for Success

Tag: planning

  • Reflecting & Moving Forward in Your Riding

    Reflecting & Moving Forward in Your Riding

    Reflecting on the Past Year going forward into the New year

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

    • The importance of reflecting on the past year
    • How becoming aware of changes can help your future decisions
    • Grading yourself for 2017!
    • Using all this information to move forward into the new year

    [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1024-Reflecting-on-and-Moving-Forward-in-Your-Riding.mp3″ title=”Reflections and Moving Forward in Your Riding” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Grading yourself as a rider and how it can help you in 2018… ” hashtag=”Equestrians #reflecting #goals” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    The new year means that is time for a clean slate when it comes to your riding goals.  New diaries, new resolutions and new plans.  That is a whole of ‘new’ happening.

    However, before we get too caught up with the ‘new’; I feel that the best gift you can give both yourself and your horse going forward into the new year is to first review what was.  What worked, what didn’t.  What changed, what needs to change.

    Are you ready to ‘show up’ and take an honest look at your past year? Super – let’s get started…

    I want to help you today to make a plan for your riding this new year that will result in both you and your horse moving forward.  I have seen it repeatedly, how riders get into the arena, they get their horse, they are full of ideas.  Then maybe it takes a setback or three, or perhaps it takes things not going exactly as they were supposed to happen, and then the whole plan is gone and everything falls apart.  I don’t want that to happen to you.

    We are going to go through a lot of things very quickly today, but don’t fear I have made a handy worksheet for you which you can get HERE .  It will give you more time to think about your answers.

    1.  Reflecting on the Past Year

    What was a success for you in 2017, when it comes to you and your riding?  I don’t feel that this must necessarily be something to do with competition or a competitive success.  It could be something as simple as your relationship with your horse is a lot stronger because he trusts you more, or vice versa.  It could be that you managed to go on a hack, or outride, or trail on your own.  It could be that you got fit enough that you could feel your seat in the saddle, and not only that you could impact your horse with it.  Imagine that!  If that is not a goal for 2018, can I just suggest that maybe you make it one.

    I want you to get reflective on this, and figure out what was a success in 2017.  What achievements are you most proud of?  Again, it doesn’t have to be competitive.  For me it was getting back into the saddle on a regular basis.  That was an achievement!  It starts 2018 off on a whole new footing for me.  So, work that out and have a think about it.

    How did this achievement (whatever it was) improve your relationship with your horse?  I want you to get a little bit deeper, and really pick out the pieces.

    Because if you are going to make goals going forward that make you happy, and that you align with as a person – you need to figure out what was it that made that goal worth doing, or worth getting, or worth reaching.

    Also, what didn’t go so well in 2017?  This will often be your starting point when it comes to ‘improvement goals’ for the new year.

    What challenge did you maybe fail to overcome?  What happened?  Why did it happen?  What distractions did you have to deal with this year?  Was it the sort of year that threw a lot of things up in the air for you, or was it the year that you really got things figured out?   If you didn’t reach your goals, why didn’t you?

    Now I know that they are very big questions.  Again, you can get your free worksheet  HERE which will allow you to go through these questions in your own time.

    2.  Awareness of the changes that happened

    Understanding what changed about you as a person and as a rider can be eye-opening for many equestrians.  Was there a pivotal moment or an ‘aha’ moment in your riding this year? Very often this is something you will have heard, read or seen before but for some reason, it just clicked now makes perfect sense.

    How have you changed as a rider in this past year?  Have you become more patient, have you become more quiet; always a good thing!  Have you become more diligent?

    Perhaps you are now more consistent?  Consistent in your aids, consistent in your riding, consistent in your reactions and responses.  How have you changed as a rider?

    What would you have done differently this past year, and why would you have done it differently?  If there was something that maybe didn’t go to plan, or something that hindsight being twenty-twenty you can look back and say that if I had that over I would make a couple of changes there.  And why?  It is not only realising where you would make the changes, it is understanding why you would make the changes, so that we don’t allow the same thing to happen again going into the new year.

    What do you want to leave behind in 2017?  What do you want to just close the book on?  That chapter is over, it’s finished, it’s gone.  There is nothing you can do about it, and you know what even if there was, you are choosing not to.

    The other side of this is knowing what you want to bring with you into the new year.

    3.  Identifying Your People

    Who supported you the last year in your riding?  This might not be an equestrian person per se.  This could be a husband who maybe cooked dinners.  This could be the person who drove the horse-box.  This could be the person who brought the horse in from the field, so that you had enough time to spend on your riding.  It could be of course, an instructor, a trainer, a friend.

    Who supported you, and who has made the biggest positive impact on your riding in the past year?  It doesn’t necessarily have to be a ‘who’, it could be a ‘what’.  It could have been a blog, it could have been a video, it could have been a course, it could have been a program.  It could have been a lesson, it could have been a specific person.

    Realising who or what has had the greatest impact will allow you replicate that in the coming year.  It also helps you build momentum.

    Who, if anyone, has held you back?  Oh yes, there is always the people there who hold you back.  I want to do a whole program on this soon.  It may be people at the barn, an instructor or trainer, a husband or a partner,  a boss, an employee…

    Who would you like to connect with in the new year?  This could be a person that you already know, and you just want to take that connection further, or deeper.  It could be somebody that inspires you.  It could be somebody at the yard or the barn, that you find that when you are around them you just have clearer thoughts about your horse riding, and what to do in the saddle.  It could be an online person.  Who is it?  Who would you like to connect more with in 2018?  If this is an online person, it could be as simple as commenting on blog posts, by the way.  It doesn’t have to be ‘in person’ connections.

    4.  How did you show up in 2017

    Oh… This is a goodie!  You can get worksheet  HERE to go through it all.  It is good because in there, you can grade yourself and your performance this past year.  A report card of sorts on 2017, and how you showed up as a rider and an equestrian.

    For extra bonus points you can also look at what grades you want to finish this new year with – 12 months from now…

    5.  Moving Forward into 2018

    Finally, moving forward into the new year.  What new goals or achievements will you be working towards?  What sort of rider do you want to become?  What do you want to feel in your riding this coming year?  How do you want to feel about your riding this coming year?

    This all begins with making a decision, identifying what you are looking for, and then put your mind to getting there. 

    And from all of this information I want you to choose your word for 2018.

    My word is supple.  Physically, mentally, emotionally supple.  Supple in how I ride, in how I respond and in how I approach things…

    I would love to hear what is your word for 2018.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Links mentioned in the episode:-

  • A System to Plan Your Year in the Saddle

    A System to Plan Your Year in the Saddle

    A System to Plan Your 2018 In the Saddle

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

    • Reviewing the past year – what worked, what didn’t
    • Planning out the coming 12 months using quarterly themes
    • Including other ‘stuff’ in your plans to help keep it realistic
    • Building out the next 4 to 6 weeks

    [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1023-Planning-Out-Your-2018-in-the-Saddle.mp3″ title=”Planning out Your 2018 in the Saddle” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Simple, step by step system to planning a year of progress in the saddle…” hashtag=”Horseriding #Planning #Goals” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    So how was 2017 for you and your horse?  More importantly, do you have a clear plan going forward into 2018?  For many riders, one of the big factors to 2017 not being as ‘great’ as it could have been is due to how they approached the year.  It is easy to enter January with big ideas, bigger goals and near impossible resolutions…

    What if, today, we rather invested a little time formulating a plan for the new year.  Something actionable that, when all is said and done, you feel is definitely possible for you to not only achieve, but also if given the right circumstances, surpass.  Interested?  Great!

    Review Your Past Year

    Firstly, you need to clearly lay out how things went in 2017, and how it has impacted where you are right now with your riding journey.  Try and go as deep as you can with this; the good, the bad, what worked, what didn’t.

    What I find works well for me is to think back and choose a couple of really stand out positive moments.  This helps me to start the process and also, gives me a guideline for some things that I perhaps want to make happen again in 2018.

    Becoming clear on what makes you happiest.   Then simply using those moments as a compass for plotting a course towards making more of that happen, or involving more of than in your current lifestyle in the new year..

    Once we have 4 or 5 of those positive experiences, we can turn our attention to the not so great.  Obviously, there are going to be a few of these littered throughout your past year.  Whatever your challenge was, it is important to understand it.  Have a look at what didn’t work, why didn’t it work, and what you could do differently to make it work.

    Choosing Your Word for the Coming Year

    From here, you can begin thinking about the coming 12 months.  What I would suggest you do is to pick a word for this coming year.  This word will help simplify decisions.  Is it aligned with the word, or not.   This word is what you want your riding journey to represent in the coming year.   Mindful, connected, compassionate or patience are some possibilities.

    Once you have this word choosen, you are going to begin seeing how you can weave it in to the quarterly themes that you choose for your riding.

    Planning Your Quarterly Themes

    A year can seem like a long time.  We all know and realise that it is not, but approaching it as one big chunk of time can often cause one of two things to happen.  Overwhelm or fatigue.

    In order to navigate around this, but still keep your ‘year goals’ on track, I suggest breaking the year into quarterly themes.   Each quarter will be a piece of the puzzle which will make up the year goals, but they will also have separate goals of their own.  A little like “sub” goals.

    Try and choose your themes in a way that act as stepping stones towards the big ‘year’ goal.  But see them as individual goals in and of themselves.  From here, break each goal down over the twelve weeks, 90 days or 3 months.  However you decide to do it, is up to you.

    Start by pretending you have achieved that smaller, quarterly goal and then work backwards to where you are right now.  This will give you a clear picture of what has to be done on a monthly, weekly and then daily basis to reach the goal from your current situation.  Then simply make sure that the theme works with your choosen word, therefore keeping you aligned with your values.

    Keep the Plan Realistic by Including ‘Life’ Events

    Before you finalise any of your quarterly plans, make sure you have also included any life events into your schedule or calendar as well.  The non-equestrian related happenings that we all have going on in our lives.   These include holidays, work events, birthdays, retreats, travel, school holidays or anything that has the potential to throw your regular calendar off a little.

    These things are important and they will have an impact on your time, your focus and attention and also, perhaps, financial situation.  Doing it this way also allows you to consider your energy levels.  You can ‘tweak’ your quarterly themes to work with you, rather than against your current lifestyle.

    The Final Step; the Next 4 to 6 Weeks

    The final piece of planning out your 2018 to get what you want is get really detailed on what the coming 4 to 6 weeks will look like in your riding.

    I realise that Christmas is a busy time for many people and, due to this, may not be the best place to start.  Find a date that you can realistically start things.  Spend a week or two preparing everything if necessary.  The riding place, the stables, inoculations, dewormer, farrier, leather repairs…  You and your horse are a team and as team leader, it is your responsibility to make sure that everything is in place when you do decide to move forward with your plans.

    Plan it all out, and then plot out the 4 to 6 weeks.  Look at what the theme was and now get specific on what you are going to work on each week leading towards that end goal, the 90-day goal.

    For example, it may be working on your half halt.  This builds up to your trot, which then builds to the canter.   Theme out each of the months inside of the 90 days, and then start filling in the details. I want to work on my half halt, which means I am going to dedicate 20 minutes on that day working on my seat and how I am using it in the saddle.

    As you work on each week, find exercises that are going to help you with exactly that.  They are going to keep you accountable and moving forward in your riding.  This is the key to getting the results you want in the coming year.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Links mentioned in the episode:-

     

  • The Importance of Timing in Your Riding

    The Importance of Timing in Your Riding

    The Importance of Timing in Your Riding

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

    • Timing – the big picture view
    • How to make the best use of your time in each ride
    • Using short bursts of time to focus you when you are in the saddle
    • Understanding the importance timing when it comes to your aids

    [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1022-The-Importance-of-Timing-in-Your-Riding.mp3″ title=”The Importance of Timing in Your Riding” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Timing has a lot to do with if you will succeed or not in your riding… ” hashtag=”Equestrian #Horseriding #ticktock” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    Correct timing in your riding is essential to communication, both on the ground and in the saddle, with your horse.  In this episode we are going to take a look at timing from the ‘big picture view’ and also the closer, more intricate detail orientated, view.

    Timing when Working Towards your Goals

    I believe the most realistic and successful way of planning out goals when it comes to horses and riding is working in 90 day (or three month) chunks of time.  I think if we look further than that, especially with horses, it can tend to become a little hypothetical.

    That being said, it is clearly important to have a realistic picture of what you want things to look like a year from now.  Each of your 90 day chunks should be with that ‘year’ goal in mind.   Start with the coming 90 days and working backwards from that goal to where you are right now.  This is your beginning and the place you will measure your time from.

    Timing when Riding Your Horse

    Timing is important when you think about the ride itself.  From how long you are warming up, to how long you are schooling your horse and then your cool down time.

    Rhythm is another way of measuring time and rhythm can be worked on while preparing the horse to be ridden, of course the rhythm while actually riding your horse and also putting the horse away afterwards.

    If you plan to have an even, steady rhythm to all the above parts of each individual ride, you will minimise those feelings of being rushed, overwhelmed or frazzled. 

    Knowing how much time you have before each ride and allocating it out into flexible portions will give you a framework to plug your actual schooling into.

    You can also pay attention to the time of day you ride and how that influences both you and your horses way of going.  Perhaps there is a time of day when your horse is more responsive or he listens better,  more focused and less likely to spook or become distracted. Timing is all about finding what works best for you and your horse.

    Timing the Segments of Each Ride

    So we have already mentioned allocating time for your warm up, time for the actual schooling, then giving time for the cooling off.  However, we can go a little deeper here by focusing on the exercises themselves and what we want to achieve in that ride.

    Concerning exercises, many riders are of the opinion that they must simply ride through each exercise a couple of times in order for them to have benefit.  I want you to think about if you were to allocate a certain amount of focused time on working through each exercise.

    Let’s use the example of 20 minutes for actual schooling work.  This 20 minutes of time can be divided up into 6 minutes, 6 minutes and 6 minutes, and I am going to put a minute between the two as well.  I realise this is an extreme example, but by giving your horse and yourself a focused 6 minutes and then a minute just to relax and unwind, you will find the quality of the work improves.

    This method is proven to work because it stops the exercise from becoming monotonous and never ending.  Also, when we give ourselves an end point, it helps us become a lot more focused on what we are doing between now and then. 

    It helps us assess the quality of the work we are doing.  Noticing what you want to work on, and what you want to have made happen when you get to the end point will help you become more consistent and disciplined in the saddle.

    Timing of the Aids

    Timing can also be used on a very precise split second level in riding with the timing of the aids.  Specific aids given at an exact moment in order for your horse to take that direction and make the necessary changes happen regarding his movement.

    As riders, it is this type of timing that we look to refine every time we get into the saddle.  This is where you should be working every single day.  This is what you can focus and concentrate on in those timed schooling sessions.   The practiced refinement of the timing of your aids.

    This begins when you start working on what is moving when underneath you.  Your aim is to feel your way here, not peek over the side!

    Knowing what is moving when beneath you, is the foundation for knowing when to apply your aids to get a specific result.

    You should ask with your aid at the moment when the horse can respond to your aid.  Otherwise your horse may not be physically in a position to respond your aid, resulting in frustrations about a lack of responsiveness. 

    Start working on developing this skill next time you are in the saddle.  Take note of what is moving, when it is moving, how is it moving and where would be the best point for you to act and influence that movement to get the desired result that you are after.

    Begin Working on Your Timing Today

    It is important to understand the importance of timing when it comes to riding.  Taking it from the big picture, 90 day goal view, all the way down to the split second application of your aids in the saddle.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Links mentioned in the episode:-

     

  • Identify the Habit Holding You Back

    Identify the Habit Holding You Back

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/SFA496-Identifying-and-Correcting-Your-Bad-Habits-While-Riding.mp3″ title=”Identifying the Habits Holding You Back in Your Riding” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    We all have something, right?  That thing we do that every time we catch ourselves doing it, we feel a tinge of guilt… But without fail, regardless of all the beating ourselves up, we will be back doing it again soon.

    Now, I could have been talking about anything there… any number of bad habits that you have cultivated (yes… cultivated) over the years, however today I am referring specifically to the habits we form in the saddle that are less than helpful to us as riders.

    As with anything in life, the more time you spend riding, the more opportunities you have to become complacent about the little things.  Things which, initially might not count for much but that compounding effect can be a real nightmare once it gets going in the wrong direction!

    Consistency will bring you results, regardless of what you are being consistent with.  Meaning that the old saying that practice makes perfect is definitely not always the case.  Rather ‘perfect practice make perfect’ when it comes to consistently improving your riding skills.

    Identifying the Habit Holding You Back

    However, where do we begin?  What do we start with?

    Identify the Habit

    Identifying what you are doing in the saddle is the first step to breaking the habit and overcoming the issue.

    However, before we proceed, a word of caution… Very often what we perceive as riders to be the problem is actually not really the issue at all.  It is merely a symptom of a greater flaw that is manifesting itself as the more obvious thing you are seeing.

    The quickest and easiest way to identify the root bad habit is by asking a professional riding instructor or trainer to evaluate your riding for you.  They should pick up pretty quickly what is happening to cause your problems and then also, give you pointers or exercises on how to improve this aspect of your riding.

    But, I realise that you may not have access to a trainer or instructor to help you solve this.  If this is the case, there are a few ways you can locate the core habit yourself.

        1. Firstly, find a rider that is doing what you want to do correctly.  Keep in mind that a lot of riders, while successful, may not be the best person at that particular thing… So choose wisely!
        2. Once you have found this person you are going to begin comparing yourself in similar situations to this person.
        3.  Photographs or videos of yourself riding will help you, but in order to be really successful, you will have to take quite a few over a period of time in different situations.  Compare them and begin looking for patterns in your riding.
        4. Using the photographs or videos, along with a riding diary which will record how the ride went, you can then begin to find the pattern you are looking for.

    Identify the Trigger

    So, once we have become aware of the habit, we then need to begin working backwards to identify the trigger. This is the circumstance that begins the sequence of events which leads to you falling into this pattern that you want to break in the first place.

    This will involve working backwards a little. From the point where you notice you are indeed doing it again. This is so that you can find the exact point where you transition from a correct way of riding to where you are doing the thing you wish to put a stop to.

    Is there a particular horse, or a particular movement that seems to trigger the habit more so than others?  Does riding in a certain area or with a certain person attribute to your downfall?! Or perhaps the trigger has nothing to do with riding itself and everything to do with the food you ate last night, the glass of wine you drank, the argument you had before you left the house for the stables?!

    As pleasure riders, our emotions and moods are tightly woven and integrated with our riding and time in the saddle, so don’t forget to have a look at this aspect of your life as well.

    What causes the trigger to happen?

    Just like everything else in life, your bad habits in horse riding can probably be traced back to either a perceived fear (or stress) or a lack of knowledge.  It’s hard to know you are doing something wrong if you don’t know what you don’t know!

    With regards to the knowledge aspect, this can be rectified by simply researching the subject, having lessons or classes on the topic and just finding out more about how to do it correctly.  The part that will take time is then reprogramming your habit. It involves removing the wrong way and inserting the correct way for doing that particular thing.

    If you realise your trigger is more fear-based, this may take a little more work on your part.  

    A lot of the time when we feel stressed, whether in the saddle or out of the saddle, we learn to react in a certain way that we think will benefit us.  The downside to this is that our mind is a wee bit clouded by the ‘fear’, so it may not really be the best way at all.  Identifying what is causing your fear and then thinking logically and rationally about it will help to uncover this.  Also, working on how you react in day-to-day life will also help.  Very often merely learning more about the subject that is stressing you will help to shift your mind from fear to more of healthy respect…  Which will allow you to begin acting differently.

    Cultivate awareness in the saddle

    So once you know what your habit is and what is causing you to react this way, you need to begin noticing those points in your ride!  This is easier said than done.  Remember the habit or behaviour is your ‘go-to’ action.  Noticing you are doing it or about to do it will be difficult at first.   However, it can be done.

    By consciously thinking about what you are doing and when you are doing it you will soon be able to notice little things that previously you were unaware of.

    Be aware of your body at all times in the saddle and ride the movement you are riding at that moment.  Stop thinking about 10 steps ahead and what will happen during dinner tonight!

    Instead, for the coming weeks, make your intention for each ride to be really present and in the moment throughout.

    Focus on how you want it to be

    This is where a lot of us get caught up.  We know what we don’t want to do, but ask us what we want to do….  We draw a blank!

    Just like when riding a naughty horse, rather than focusing on the bad habit or behaviour, focus your attention on the opposite.  The good action or behaviour that you want to replace it with.

    By placing your attention here, you will have a far greater chance of making this happen, repeatedly, and thus becoming your new habit.

    Use visualisation to see yourself succeeding

    Did you know that your brain does not know the difference between what you think and what you do?  Use this to your advantage by continuously visualizing yourself successfully riding the way you want to ride.

    Include in there all the good habits you wish to cultivate, all the skills you want to learn.  When you are visualising yourself doing it, don’t just see it, feel it as well.  

    Perhaps you can just sit on a chair and imagine your body moving as you want it to move.  Spend your time travelling to and from the stables thinking about how it will feel to ride that movement correctly and with confidence.

    If you are struggling to even imagine yourself changing your current habit, imagine someone you know of who can easily do what you want to do.  

    Once you have this person in mind, visualise yourself copying or mimicking how they react in a situation or ride a particular movement.  Slowly, it will become easier and easier for you to picture yourself doing the same.

    Safety and Success in Numbers!

    Things are always more fun when done with a friend…  Breaking a habit is no different!  Get a partner or a friend to help you overcome your bad habit, either by pointing it out each time you do it or working on a habit or behaviour of their own that they wish to change.

    Hold each other accountable, support each other and when either of you slips up or revert back be there to offer support and motivation to try again tomorrow.
    Identifying the habits holding you back

    Change the circumstances or situation

    Finally, if you are still struggling to overcome your bad habit I suggest changing things up a little.  Get out of the arena or paddock you usually ride in.  Try that movement in a different place in the arena.  Build up to it with a different exercise.

    The choices are endless with regards to how you can make differences in your ride and often just changing one small circumstance is enough to form a crack that will eventually break the habit.

    Time… Oh, Time… Time…

    Remember not to overdo it at the beginning… It will take time to replace the pattern that you are currently doing with a new and better way, but remember that you can do it.

    Also, what will seem difficult at the beginning will soon become second nature to you as you soon make your new habit the go to one when that trigger occurs.

    Go easy on yourself and acknowledge that you will have some slip-ups along the way.  When they do happen, remember the fact that you are now noticing them happening is half the battle to changing your patterns.

    Then simply set a new rule about how you will react in that situation going forward.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Additional Resources on This Topic

     

  • Keeping a Horse Riding Journal

    Keeping a Horse Riding Journal

    You have just finished cooling down from what, in your mind, was the best lesson you have had in months…  As you are tending to your horse, that afterglow feel is radiating from you.  The feeling of achievement and success.

    And this is exactly when you need to record all that happening in your horse riding journal!

     You see, what you will probably notice is that while you can look back over your lesson and remember all the details now; this won’t last! Over the coming two or three days, when you are trying to replicate that feeling, you will often struggle to repeat what did to actually achieve it all in the first place.  This leads often to frustration, which leads to stiffness, which leads to a downright unsatisfactory ride.

    Your Horse Riding Journal

    This is why I suggest having a horse riding journal or notebook packed in your tack box.  This will ensure it is ready at the first available opportunity to use.  Usually, this will be after you dismount and have taken care of your horse. Give yourself space to then write down the important aspects of the lesson or ride you just had.  I emphasize the ‘in your tack-box‘ because even just waiting until you get home will lead to important information being forgotten and lost.

    So, why is this process so powerful in us repeating that initial ride?  Keeping track of the smaller details helps us to see patterns emerging in the long run between what is causing particular outcomes in our lessons or schooling sessions.  

    We can begin to create a better picture of what is working.  And, as a result, actively avoid what is not!  There is also a higher chance that we write down and capture specific pieces of information relayed to us by the instructor. Information that would otherwise be forgotten in the business that is life.

    I recommend using a separate notebook or journal for this sole purpose and each time you ride capturing these 6 specific pieces of information:-

    1.  Details, Location, and Weather

    Here you can quickly jot down the date, time, arena, horse, instructor, and what tack you used.  You can also note the weather, how you were feeling before the lessons, and how your horse is acting before and during the lesson.

    This information is useful to begin seeing patterns such as wind, or times of day, or indoor versus outdoor, etc.

    2.  An Overview of Your Warm-Up

    Noticing what constitutes a successful warm-up for a specific horse or discipline, is powerful.  You can soon begin being more active in riding a warm-up plan that will best prepare you and the horse for a specific schooling session or lesson.

    You can also begin tracking the other factors listed in item 1 to see if they do, in fact, influence the warm-up.  

    If you record that they do indeed seem to play a part, you can begin making changes.  Do this by formulating a plan to counteract those negative influences or incorporate more of the positive ones.  You can also begin to plan specific warm-ups for specific exercises, such as jumping, dressage, etc.

    3.  The Overall Theme of Your Ride

    What specifically were you trying to achieve with that ride?  If you had a lesson, your instructor should have outlined this at the beginning for you to understand where you were trying to go.  Sometimes we won’t actually reach the end destination we had in mind for that particular session.

    However, if this is the case, it is important to note how far you managed to get.  Also, note a few ideas as to what was holding you back regarding achieving the goal.  

    Often it will take four or five sessions towards one particular goal in order to actually reach it…  What a waste if you are not documenting the small steps towards achievement along the way.  Not only will you learn more, but you can also refer back to this if you encounter a similar problem in the future.

    4.  What Went Wrong?

    If you had an instructor or trainer present in the arena with you, writing the most repeated critique here will help you focus on what to try to improve next time.  If you are working alone, try to take an honest look back at your ride. What did you struggle with?  Where did you feel challenged?  What did you feel could have been better?  Writing these things down not only identifies the issue at hand, but it also allows you to look back weeks and months from now.

    You will see past difficulties and a plan for how you finally overcame them.  

    All the current challenges will soon become small wins and those wins are important to fuel your desire to keep improving your skills.

    5.  Homework or Exercises

    So you have identified your weaker points.  It is important that you begin to formulate a plan to overcome them.  This will involve doing some ‘extra time’ on the issue at hand.  Your extra time, if you only have access to a riding school horse once a week, maybe to watch videos on how others overcame the same sticking point.  Or, if you have your own horse, it may just be practicing more of the same throughout the week in preparation for your next lesson.

    What is important to keep in mind here is that while you are riding any exercises, make sure you are holding yourself accountable for doing it right.  

    Practice, no matter how much you do,  will not make perfect if it is the wrong kind of practice!

    6.  Outline your Goals for your Next Ride

    We all need to look forward and have a reason to master what is currently troubling us.  Therefore outlining your next goal will help keep you moving the ball down the field. This works by keeping your focus firmly locked on the bigger picture.  The temptation to get caught up in the smaller details, particularly when we are starting out, can sometimes be the actual problem itself.  Keep inspiring and motivating yourself by looking to the future, even if that future is only the next ride!

    I strongly urge you today to go out and if you don’t already have one, purchase a nice notebook or journal . Then begin keeping track of your riding.  

    It will help you get more bang for your buck from your lessons by capturing details and information that will otherwise be forgotten.  It will also help inspire and motivate you during those tougher times that we all experience when learning something new.  And finally, it will help you begin to notice and recognized small patterns or details that can make all the difference between a successful ride and one that leaves you feeling less than accomplished.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Resources on This Topic

  • Making Time for Horse Riding

    Making Time for Horse Riding

    How many times a week do you ride on average? I know only too well how ‘life’ can just get in the way. How other things just seem to crop up and demand your attention.

    In fact, I have seen how even with a scheduled riding lesson, most adults find it difficult to keep that appointment in their calendar. This is often due to unforeseen circumstances. It leads to feelings of frustration in all involved parties: the rider, the instructor, and the horse.

    Making Time for Riding

    Let’s have a quick look at a few action steps you can put into practice today that will increase your chances of actually getting to the barn and into the saddle more often.

        1. Schedule time with your horse
        2. Make that time non-negotiable
        3. Pack and plan ahead
        4. Ask for help if necessary
        5. Keep motivated and inspired
        6. Set yourself a goal or challenge

    So let’s go through each of these in a little more detail.

     1. Schedule Time for Horse Riding

    We all have a schedule, whether it be in our heads, in our journals, or on our phone, p.c, iPad. Each day there are certain things we have to get done, our tasks. The thing is, we will often put aside other projects in favor of those which we prioritize. In order to make your horse riding a priority, you need to begin to fit it into your schedule. This is so that other ‘less important’ things can work around it, and not vice versa.

    Remember when you are scheduling your time for horse riding to allow for all of the things.  The drive to and from the stables, tacking up, warming up, cooling down. Also the general care of your horse.

     2. Make This Time Non-Negotiable

    Now, this can often be difficult for us to do, particularly if we have other responsibilities elsewhere.  Family, business, work, all demand both time and energy from us.  However, making time for yourself and something you enjoy is also an important part of continuing to show up for the other things. Particularly if you want to do well and be of greater service to these other areas of your life.

    Block out the time on the office calendar, there is no need to tell others what you are doing with your time. Switch off your phone or, if you really do need to stay in contact, put it onto ‘Do not disturb’ or ‘Silence’ mode. You can then monitor who you speak or communicate with within that time block.

    Lastly, assess every so-called ‘Emergency’ that you have to deal with. Often, these things are only taking your attention and focus from your goals, in order to facilitate someone else’s agenda.

    I realize this sounds a bit uncaring initially.  However, trust me!  Once you begin to really give thought to what is an emergency and what can wait two or three hours without the world ending, you will begin to notice a feeling of freedom. It will also give you a sense of more control in your life.

     3. Pack and Plan Ahead

    This is a no-brainer, but it often surprises me how many people fail to do this. Pack your riding gear the night before. Then either put it in the car or by the front door to pick it up as you leave. Have your tack cleaned and ready to go, again packed and waiting. Always have a raincoat or jacket in the car if necessary, as well as your helmet and gloves.

    Boots are another thing to have prepared. In fact, depending on where you live, you could keep a pair of Hunters or similar in the boot of your car at all times. Then, even if you forget your actual riding boots, you are still good to go! The other thing that I recommend packing ahead is a snack or food.

    Often, after a busy day at work we feel tired and hungry… Those feelings being to put those ‘oh I will just ride tomorrow’ thoughts into your head! Be prepared for it!

     4. Ask for Help if Necessary

    Often, no matter what we do, we still cannot seem to make enough time available to do everything. All of the things that we feel are expected of us. You need to begin accepting this and looking for ways others can help you.

    For example, bringing your horse in from the paddock and tacking up. This takes time that perhaps you don’t have. Ask your barn manager if they can perhaps have your horse in and ready for you on certain days and times. They will probably charge a small fee; remember now their time is being spent, not yours, which makes this fee only fair. Or, ask your spouse or partner to arrange to cook dinner two nights a week… Even have take out once a week!

    Begin to look at your schedule with a fresh perspective for things that you are currently doing, but which others could easily do for you… Then ask for help!

     5. Set Yourself a Riding Goal or Challenge

    I know, it sounds often childish (memories of my parents playing the “Go fetch my shoes…. I’ll time you!” come rushing back!). But, it often works. There are some great Apps that you can download and use. Now, while not actually for horse riding, they work the same.

    Nike Running allows you to set challenges that are supposed to be completed under your own steam, running. But, this app can easily be used for riding, allowing you to clock your ‘workouts’ time-wise and set goals to spend a certain amount of time in the saddle each week. You can also get the Equestrian Fitness Challenge that I have created. You can use it while you ride to help keep you accountable, moving forward.

    I also have a free riding planner you can use HERE.  In there you will learn how to take one exercise and make it work for a month in your riding.

    The most extreme ‘challenge’ that I can imagine is actually entering you and your horse into an event or competition. The date is set, you have spent the money… Great motivation to get to the yard and into the saddle!

     6. Stay Motivated and Inspired

    This is different for everyone. What inspires one person, can turn the next person off completely! Sit down at some point over the coming days and try to recall what makes you excited and eager to get into the saddle. Then look for ways to incorporate more of this into your daily life.

    Whether it be reading your favorite magazine, watching the showjumping on the T.V, beautiful photos of dressage on Pinterest… Whatever floats your boat!

    Often the challenges or goals that we spoke about in point 5 are enough to make us jump up out of bed each morning, rearing to go. But more often than not, we need a little extra something to help keep moving the ball down the field or the horse around the arena!

    Podcasts (like the Daily Strides Podcast) are also a great way, as you can listen to them while you make the journey to work or the barn, imagining what you will do when you actually ride, creating excitement all the way.

    Another idea for creating motivation to ride is cleaning your tack!  Seriously… How well does it feel to ride your beautiful horse, all kitted out in pristine tack?  The little things :-)

    Make Time For Horse Riding This Week

    Have you any helpful tips or ideas that our other readers can use to increase their time in the saddle?  If so, we would love to hear about them in our free online community for equestrians HERE.

    I am also going to add links to other episodes and blog posts on this topic below.  They will help you create more time for horse riding in your life. 

    So, take some time today. Review your schedule and look at where you can take more time to invest in yourself and your horse!  You will both thank you for it!

    Happy Riding

    Additional Resources for Equestrians