Strides for Success

Tag: position

  • Finding the 1 Domino in Your Riding that Changes Everything

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    There’s a moment in every rider’s journey, whether you’ve just started learning to ride, or you’re returning after a break, when you suddenly become very aware of everything that’s not quite right…  Maybe your leg moves too much.  Or you bounce in the saddle.  Perhaps you struggle with consistency with your reins – they’re either too long or too tight. Maybe your transitions feel unpredictable at best!

    It’s like your brain has opened a spreadsheet of faults and hit “highlight all.”  And while it’s good to know what needs work, unfortunately, that’s often when the overwhelm sets in!

    Whether you’re a fairly newish rider or a novice coming back to it after a break, trying to fix everything at once doesn’t lead to progress. It leads to frustration.  The key is to figure out what needs work first. What is the ‘domino’ you need to knock to create that positive ripple effect on everything else… And because what you focus on grows, this becomes your starting point.

    You don’t need to fix everything. You just need to find the domino. The one piece that, when it shifts, starts to positively shift everything else, too

    The Problem with “Everything”

    When you’re learning something new or re-learning something old, it’s natural to feel like you need to improve all of it. Every aid, transition, the whole thing. And so often, our natural enthusiasm to improve can trick us into thinking that this is possible. It is  – but not by tackling everything at once!

    Yes, eventually, you will work on each of the pieces and improve them. But often these skills won’t develop simultaneously. They stack and layer over time. Strengthening each other as you grow… 

    And so often, they all tie back to one foundational weakness that’s quietly knocking everything else off balance.  Just like a single domino at the start of a row, identifying that one point can bring ease, flow, and stability to everything else.

    Your Job? Find That Domino

    If you’ve been feeling a little frustrated that things are not happening fast enough for you in the saddle, this is probably what’s happening. You’re trying to do too much! Maybe you’re working on your posture, your position, your hands, your leg, your transitions, your turns… and the list keeps growing.

    Instead of piling more on and ‘trying harder’, what if you worked on finding that ‘first domino’?

    Often, that first domino is something simple, but powerful:

          • Your posture or position
          • Your breath and tension
          • The timing of your aids
          • The consistency of your seat
          • Whether you’re even mentally present for the ride

    ‘Fixing’, changing or improving any one of those things can cause a chain reaction that improves everything else.

    Riding with Intention, Not Overwhelm

    Imagine mounting up and having one clear focus. Maybe it’s “Today I am going to work on maintaining my position and posture in halt, walk, and trot”. That’s it. Forget about all of the other things. Your goal is to maintain, as best you can, your ‘lines’ when working with your horse.

    As you ride, you start to notice that your seat naturally begins to follow the horse more smoothly. Your hands soften without you trying. Your transitions feel more prepared, and your horse responds better.

    That’s the domino effect. You didn’t “try harder.”  Instead, you maintained your focus on something worth your time, attention, and energy. You were more strategic with your time in the saddle.

    The Basics Are Not Just for Beginners

    I know I say this a lot, but it’s always worth repeating. I see so many novice riders fall into the trap of thinking that they are somehow ‘less than’ because they are working on ‘basic stuff’.   “I should be past this already.” or “I learned this years ago.”. I even hear the odd “This is beginner stuff.”

    But here’s the thing…  The basics are never behind you.  They are beneath everything you’re doing. They are the foundation of everything else in your riding – so it stands to reason that they are worth the investment of your time and energy

    Posture, balance, timing, effective aids, and all of the other basics are not just box-ticking skills from a checklist. They’re the structure that allows you to build progress ride after ride.  It’s when they are weak, shaky, or even missing that problems tend to crop up.

    Riding with Focus Is Riding with Power

    When you ride intentionally, with curiosity and focus, you begin to shift the entire tone of your riding journey. You stop feeling ‘behind’. You become curious about why things are the way that they are, and what you can do to change them.

    And, maybe most importantly of all, you stop chasing that elusive ‘perfect ride’.  Instead, you give yourself the opportunity to become grounded. Aware. Calmly effective.

    Both you and your horse will feel it. And that is the domino effect at work for you in your riding.  Keep It Simple. To help you get started, here’s your invitation:

          1. Before your next ride, choose your focus domino.
          2. Ride with that one intention in mind.
          3. Reflect afterward—what shifted because of that focus?

    One Focused Ride Can Change Everything

    If there’s one thing to take away from all of this, let it be this:  Real progress in your riding doesn’t come from trying to do more, or fixing everything at once.  It comes from learning how to see what actually matters — and then focusing on that, with calm intention.

    It’s in those quiet, focused moments — when you notice your breath matching your horse’s rhythm… or your seat starting to follow more fluidly… or your aids landing with clarity — that the real transformation happens. Because that’s when you stop being a passenger. And you start truly riding.

    Want Help Finding Your Riding Domino?

    If you’re ready to get unstuck and finally start seeing real, consistent progress in the saddle, I’d love to invite you to join me for a free live webinar next week: From Passenger to Rider: 3 Shifts to Fix Your Position, Your Aids & Your Confidence (Without Riding More, Starting Over, or Turning Your Rides Into Boring Drills)

    Whether you’re new to riding or finding your feet again after time away, this class will give you the exact framework to identify what really needs your focus right now — and how to build on it without overwhelm. And there’s a special bonus for those who join me live — and I promise, it’s worth it.

    Save your spot here: https://returningtoriding.com

    Let this be the ride where it all starts to come together. You don’t need to do more. You just need to do the right thing,  at the right time, in the right way.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Developing Steady Hands as You Ride Your Horse

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    Do your hands sometimes seem like they develop a mind of their own when you’re riding?  You tell them to stay quiet, steady, and soft…  But they just seem committed to waving about. In fact, they feel miles away from being the ‘steady hands’ that you want as a rider!

    Trust me, you’re not alone! Steady hands are a sore spot for so many riders, with the added frustration of as soon as you recognise it as a problem, it can often get worse before it gets better!  Today we’re going to unpack how to begin developing steady hands that are more consistent and will improve communication with your horse.

    Why Steady Hands Matter

    Having steady hands isn’t about your hands being ‘fixed’ or ‘rigid’. Far from it actually. Steady hands is all about creating a consistent, gentle connection between you and your horse. It improves your horse’s trust in your contact and makes your aids clearer – and kinder.

    Ironically, the harder we try to force our hands to stay still, the more exaggerated their movements often become. It’s like being aware of them makes them become even more animated! 

    So let’s dive into practical ways to address this issue once and for all…

    What’s Really Happening?

    Before fixing a problem, you need to know exactly what’s causing it. There are generally two big reasons your hands may move too much. The first is that you’re actually moving your hands! I know, you might think ‘No Way!’, but it’s true! Especially if you’re always fiddling with and shortening/lengthening your reins.

    If your reins keep slipping so that you have to keep shortening them, you’re probably holding your reins wrong. Get that issue sorted first… Then move on from there :)

    The other way your hands can be moving about is far more unintentional.  It often comes down to you relying far too much on your hands for balance or support. This really shows up in trot, canter, turns, and bends. It can also show up as you post to the trot.

    Get Clear on Your Hands First

    Grab a whip or stick and hold your reins normally, thumbs on top. Lift your thumbs slightly and lay the whip horizontally across your fingers, then gently clamp your thumbs back down to hold it in place. As you ride, glance down occasionally to check if your whip remains ‘still’ or is it moving about all over the place! You will also be able to quickly see if you’re tilting or dropping one hand using this method as well.

    The other way to assess what your hands are doing is to film yourself riding with this setup. Bonus points if you wear bright white gloves! This makes your hand movements glaringly obvious, helping you clearly see what’s going on.

    Identifying the Root Cause

    So, if you’ve looked back over the videos and seen your hands merrily dancing all over the place, you need to find out why that is happening! Ask yourself: Is this simply a habit? Or is something deeper affecting your balance and stability?

    Often, unsteady hands signal balance and position problems. For example, riders frequently use their hands to balance, similar to how you’d extend your arms if you were walking on a narrow plank.

    Another thing to keep in mind is how incorrect posting to the trot can also be causing your issues. If you’re pulling yourself up, instead of using your core to rise ‘forward’, you will see hard, moving hands. If you see this as an issue, keep in mind that you were probably told to go ‘up-down’ when you initially learned to post.

    Also keep in mind that improving your core strength, along with correct posting techniques, will often help resolve this issue. 

    Practical Solutions to Steady Hands

    1. Relax and Check Your Elbows

    Believe it or not, your elbows play a huge role in hand stability. Some riders lock their elbows straight, causing their hands to bounce. If you see from your video that you’re doing that, rather gently let your elbows drape softly by your side.  Naturally bent and relaxed as though you were carrying two cups of tea.

    And just like if you were carrying cups of tea while walking, your elbows gently absorb the horse’s movement while riding. This helps to keep create steady hands that are soft and connected. 

    2. Strengthen Your Core

    Core strength is crucial for horse riding and creating steady hands!  If your core is weak, you will be far more likely to rely on your hands for balance. You probably know if this is an issue for you… You know, those ‘wobbly’ feelings that come up when you trot without stirrups, bend or circle in trot or canter, etc.

    Begin incorporating simple exercises into your daily routine, like planks, balance ball workouts, and the Equestrian Fitness Challenge (FREE HERE). These off-horse exercises help build core strength and stability, which will result in steadier hands for you in the saddle.

    3. Connect Your Seat to Your Hands

    Your seat and hands should work together seamlessly, with your hands following the subtle movements of your seat – not the other way around. Unfortunately, a lot of riders depend too much on their hands, so they end up leading the seat!

    If you are a little too ‘handy’ when riding, consider lunge lessons where someone else lunges you on your horse. They can direct your horse, which will allow you to focus on you :)

    If lunging with a helper isn’t possible, create a small, safe area to practice riding without reins at walk and trot, helping you strengthen your seat and core without relying on your hands for balance.

    4. Off-Horse Exercises for Better Stability

    There’s so much you can do out of the saddle to improve your riding. Get yourself a large exercise or Pilates ball and use it to improve your balance and hand steadiness.  Plus, it’s so much fun as well! Sit on the ball, create makeshift reins (or use your own reins fixed to something sturdy), and practice posting, sitting trot, and even canter motions.

    This type of exercise and practice will help your body develop muscle memory, enabling better coordination between your seat and hands when you’re back on your horse.

    Important Reminders as You Improve

    When you begin down the path to create steady hands in the saddle, be prepared for it sometimes getting worse before it gets better! It can feel that initially focusing intensely on your hands can cause tension, making your movements temporarily stiffer and more exaggerated. Don’t worry – this is completely normal! The key is to remain patient and consistent. Steady improvement will follow.

    Instead of aiming for absolute stillness (which isn’t realistic or helpful), aim for “steady” hands. Hands that softly and smoothly follow your horse’s movements, maintaining gentle contact without rigidity.

    Take Regular Videos

    Make video analysis a regular part of your practice. The visual feedback helps you notice subtle improvements and identify lingering issues. Wearing white gloves or using the whip technique periodically is also a great way to gauge your progress.

    Bringing it All Together

    At the end of the day, creating steady hands is not an overnight thing. It will require a combination of awareness, targeted practice, patience, and consistency, both in and out of the saddle. Strengthening your core, stabilizing your seat, and keeping relaxed, flexible elbows will lead you toward more stable, soft hands that genuinely improve communication with your horse.

    Remember, because your hands are at the ends of your arms (like your feet at the end of your legs) they often are a telltale sign of movement and tension happening in other areas of your body. 

    Want extra support? Join me over at ReturningtoRiding.com. Get on the waitlist to start mastering the basics and build your riding confidence.

    Happy riding
    Lorna

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  • Begin to Transform Your Riding using ‘Autopilot’

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    Have you ever caught yourself mid-ride, wondering, “Wait, what am I even doing right now?”  You’re trotting along and suddenly realise your reins have slipped, your heels are up, or you’re staring at your horse’s neck. Riding on autopilot isn’t a bad thing – if what’s running in the background is actually helping you. In fact, putting the right things onto autopilot can really transform your riding.

    Because here’s the thing… You’re already riding on autopilot. The question is, what exactly is on your autopilot? Be honest, if I were to watch a short video of you riding today, and compare it to one from six months ago, would there be a positive change? Not just in your horse, but in you, the rider?

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I want to walk you through the steps you can take to make sure that when you “zone out” in the saddle, the habits you fall back on are ones that are actually serving you. Not random things you picked up somewhere and stuck with because they “kinda worked”.

    This is the same process I guide riders through inside Connection and my live trainings. It’s how you can begin to rewire your default riding behavior — so your autopilot becomes your greatest ally, not your biggest hurdle.

    Step 1: Make It Easy

    Look — changing a habit doesn’t always require a big overhaul. Often, it starts with something as simple as checking your setup.  In fact, you could begin to transform your riding today if you paid closer attention to this… Do your gloves make it hard to feel the reins? Get a pair that actually grip. Are your reins smooth and slippery? Try ones with stops or rubber coating. Struggling to keep your heels down? Maybe your stirrups are too long. Riding on the cantle of the saddle every time? Try adjusting your stirrup length first.

    So many riders are struggling in the saddle simply because they haven’t made it easy for themselves to succeed

    Make it easier to do the right thing. So much of good riding is about removing resistance to good habits.

    Your Action Step:

    Look at your most persistent issue. What’s one small change you can make today to support a better habit? Tweak it. Set yourself up for success.

    Step 2: Use Checkpoints

    Changing habits isn’t just about doing something new — it’s about remembering to do it. That’s where checkpoints come in.  Checkpoints are anything in your riding environment that you can associate with a quick check-in. Think floodlights, poles, fence posts, shadows, jump uprights, and the corner letters in your arena.

    You already ride past the same things every day. Start using them to your advantage

    Every time you pass your chosen checkpoint, do a quick scan: How are your hands? Your seat? Your posture? Are you still riding with intention?  The more consistent you are with these mini check-ins, the faster your good habits will become automatic.

    Your Action Step:

    Pick 2–3 things you ride past consistently and assign a check-in to each one. Make it simple. Make it repeatable.

    Step 3: Stack Your Habits

    This idea became popular through James Clear and Atomic Habits, but I’ve been teaching it to riders for years. You already do things in your ride on autopilot. Things like warming up, cooling down, checking the time, or walking to the mounting block. Why not use those moments to also check in on a new habit you want to develop? Trust me, to transform your riding, you need to pay attention to these every day things.

    You’re already doing some things automatically. Why not build better habits on top of them?

    For example, during your warm-up walk, focus on aligning your posture. During your cool-down, stretch your legs and check your rein length. Every time you check your watch, scan your hand position. Simple, low-effort ways to upgrade your riding with zero extra time required.

    Your Action Step:

    Choose one routine you already have in place and attach a new habit to it. Start there and build.

    Step 4: Track & Reward

    Progress isn’t always obvious. That’s why tracking it matters.  You need a way to see your improvement over time — even if it’s slow. I recommend using a riding journal to note what went well, what you worked on, and what you’re aiming for.

    We don’t celebrate our progress nearly enough in the saddle. That needs to change

    Tracking also helps you know when you deserve a reward. Not a pat on the back, though those help!  I’m talking about something that motivates you. It might be a nice hack out, a new piece of tack, or a peaceful morning hike. You decide.

    Your Action Step:

    Start a riding journal and use it regularly. Celebrate the small wins. Give yourself a reward when you earn it.

    Step 5: Consistency, Not Perfection

    Most riders give up on new habits because they expect perfection. That’s not how this works.  Start small. Choose one habit. One change. Focus on doing it more often than not. Perfection is unrealistic — especially in horse riding, where every moment is fluid and unpredictable.

    Riding is rarely perfect — but it can be consistently better. Your riding will never be 100% perfect. That’s okay. What matters is that it’s consistently improving.

    Your Action Step:

    Pick one riding habit to focus on for the next two weeks. Just one. Work on it consistently, and notice how everything else begins to shift.

    Transform Your Riding with Autopilot

    You are already riding on autopilot. The question is: What habits have you programmed into it?  Start small. Adjust your setup. Build in checkpoints. Stack new habits onto old ones. Track your wins. Stay consistent. This is how you reset your default behavior and actually enjoy the process along the way!

    If you’re nodding along and thinking, yes — this is what I need, make sure you’re on the waitlist for my Returning to Riding program. I’ll be hosting a live training soon, and this is exactly what we’ll be diving into.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • The Click Your Fingers Rule: Putting Your Position on Autopilot in Your Riding

    Imagine if there was something you could actively ‘do’ every moment you’re in the saddle that would almost guarantee that you’re in the ‘right place at the right time’.  There is. It involves abiding by the ‘Click Your Fingers Rule’ regarding your position. And look, I get it: talking about your position is not fun or exciting. But it is 100% one of the BEST ways to improve your skills as a rider.

    When you are in the right place at the right time to effectively and clearly communicate with your horse, it stands to reason that the overall connection and quality of the work will improve. 

    Your position is so important, and applying the Click Your Fingers Rule will help you develop true balance and independence in the saddle. It’s one of the key elements that allows a rider to transition from being a passenger to truly riding their horse.

    What is the Click Your Fingers Rule?

    Well, imagine we (you and I) were in the arena together. You are working on something specific with your horse: walking, trotting, cantering, or even working through grids and over fences. It doesn’t really matter what you are doing. The key point is that you’re riding alone, and I then apply this ‘rule’ to your riding.

    Imagine that I’m with you in the arena and I ‘click my fingers’, whisper ‘abrakedabra’, and your horse vanishes! Gone. Disappears. What we want to focus on is how you land… You ALWAYS want to land on your feet. Always. 

    Now, clearly, I cannot make your horse vanish on demand! However, I hope that by imagining this happening, you will understand how the ‘rule’ works. And when you imagine that your horse is suddenly no longer there, the question becomes ‘where and how would you land?’

    If the answer is on your face or on your bum, it simply means that you are depending on your horse for balance and support rather than being responsible for your own stability in the saddle. And this, if you want to improve as a rider, needs to change.

    Who Are You Depending on for Balance?

    When we start riding, we tend to rely a lot on our horses for balance. Thank goodness for all the school horses and ponies in the world with their endless patience! But in order for your riding to progress, this is something that you have to begin accepting responsibility for.

    You must become responsible for your own balance and stability in the saddle. Applying the ‘Click Your Fingers Rule’ to your riding will help you achieve that by reminding you to correct your alignment – and eventually put it onto autopilot. 

    When you can create your own balance and stability when you ride, you can then begin developing your independent aids. Independent aids lead to clearer communication with your horse. They also lead to an independent seat. The Click Your Fingers Rule will help you start working towards all of these things in your riding.

    Applying the Rule

    There are two simple ‘checks’ you can do every time you’re in the saddle to begin effectively applying this rule to your position and your riding. The first is to make sure that you are indeed sitting correctly in the saddle.  Use your seat bones for guidance. Are they directly underneath you, pointing straight down?

    Many upper body issues and lower leg issues are actually due to incorrect seat issues. If this basic principle is wrong or missing, the ripple effect in your riding is massive. 

    The second ‘check’ applies to the ‘lines’ of your position. Particularly the line that should run through your head, shoulder, hip, and heel. If these elements of your body are aligned, you are usually ‘carrying’ yourself, which means that you are, for the most part, assuming responsibility for your own balance.

    Becoming more aware of, and then regularly applying the Click Your Fingers Rule will allow you to correct your basic position. And after a while, this will become ‘normal’ for you. It will be on autopilot! 

    When To Apply the Rule to Your Position?

    The simple answer is ‘all the time’. Yes, really! Regardless of what you are doing, you should be able to support and balance yourself if your horse were to vanish suddenly or disappear. This means that your basic alignment should be present if you’re walking, trotting, cantering, or even galloping! If you are schooling on the flat, up or down hills, or over fences. It is all the same. If the horse were to vanish at any given point, anywhere in your ride, you should land on your feet.

    You are responsible for your own balance. And when you can apply this most of the time to your riding, you will allow your horse the freedom to begin becoming stronger in his work as well.

    Applying This to Your Position & Riding

    I’ve already mentioned checking your seat. Is it truly ‘underneath‘ you? From here, focus on keeping your legs under you at all times. Often, riders will struggle with a swinging lower leg. A lot of the time, this actually is a symptom of something going on in the seat. So, correct your seat first.

    And if your lower leg is spending too much time at your horse’s shoulders or elbows, if your horse were to vanish, you would land on your backside! Similarly, if your lower leg is swinging too far back towards the flank, you’d land on your face. The rule ALWAYS applies!

    In all of the examples you can think of when it comes to applying the ‘click your fingers’ rule, a strong supple core are absolutely essential. If you find that you’re struggling to maintain your positon or posture, maybe you can focus your efforts here. 

    Making the Transition in Your Riding

    By being consistent with testing yourself using the Click Your Fingers Rule, you bring awareness to your basic position. With time, this will result in you doing what you actually want all of the time without thinking about it. That is autopilot. And when you reach autopilot, you can then focus your attention elsewhere.

    This is where you really begin to make the transition to being a true ‘rider’ in the saddle, rather than a passenger. Now, you can start to pay attention to improving how you and your horse are working together.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More Episodes on This Topic

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  • Are You ‘Sitting There’? How To Know if You’re Stuck in Passenger Mode!

    You hop into the saddle, ready for a great ride. But before you know it, you’ve spent most of the session adjusting your hands, correcting your position, and just ‘fixing’ yourself. All while your horse just plods along! Sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not alone…

    Ask yourself this: Where is the majority of your attention or focus when you ride? Think back to the very last schooling session with your horse with you in the saddle. Maybe you had a lesson, or perhaps it was just you and your horse working together alone. Who did you focus more on: you and your position, aids, tension, etc., or your horse and how well he was working?

    There comes a point for most riders when they realize that they spend more time focusing on themselves in each training session. Fixing, correcting, reminding themselves to do or be a certain way…

    This is the ‘passenger’ phase of your horse-riding journey. And while all riders must initially go through it, the challenge comes when they unknowingly get stuck there! It’s when you’re focusing so much of your energy in ‘fixing’ yourself that you’re not actually riding the horse! You’re simply ‘sitting there’.

    So, if you’ve been feeling like 80% of your time in the saddle is spent ‘fixing’ and correcting yourself – this article and episode will help you to begin making the shift from passenger to rider.

    Signs You’re Stuck in Passenger Mode

    So there are a few ways you can begin to identify this in your riding. The first and most obvious one is becoming aware of how you spend your time when you’re riding…

      • You spend most of your time in the saddle ‘fixing’ or adjusting your hands, seat, or legs – instead of focusing on your horse’s way of going
      • You actually feel like a passenger the majority of the time in the saddle – your horse is leading you, rather than the other way around, or working together as a team
      • Corners, bends, circles, or transitions seem to happen TO you – rather than because of how you set things up and asked for them!
      • You spend a lot of time trying to find your balance – instead of using your weight aids to positively influence your horse’s way of going

    The ‘Stuck in Passenger Mode’ Test

    Think back over the past 5 rides you’ve had where you wanted to work on something and achieve something with your horse. Where did your focus go for the majority of those rides? If you worked with an instructor or a trainer, what did they spend most of the time working on? You or your horse? And if they had to keep ‘fixing’ or correcting you to work on your horse – the answer is ‘you :)

    Another way to think about this is by assessing your basics in the saddle. If the majority of your time is spent correcting, fixing, stabilizing, or any of the other ‘ings’ your basics, then you are in passenger mode.

    And keep in mind that is not a ‘bad’ thing. Once you realize that this is a very real part of the journey of becoming a more skilled rider, you can start to actively work on transitioning out of it!

    The basics that you will find yourself focusing on are:-

        • Your Position
        • Your Posture
        • Your Aids
        • Bending (and creating a channel with your aids)

    Passenger Versus Rider

    Of course, when you’re stuck in passenger mode, you might wonder, ‘What else is there to actually focus on?’  And the answer is, ‘Oh, lots!’. ‘Riders’ are not spending their time worrying about and ‘fixing’ their position. Or their aids, or posture, etc. They are not obsessing over carrying their hands or keeping their heels down.

    The difference between passengers and riders is that riders are thinking about the best way to communicate and support their horses to get the desired outcome. 

    If they don’t spend the majority of their ride or training session worrying about their position. They are wondering if the horse understands what they are trying to explain. And if they think that maybe there’s a little confusion going on, they are thinking about how to clarify that. How to USE their position or aids to get the most out of their work with their horse. Not just keeping the horse between themselves and the ground!

    Passengers focus most of their energy on fixing their position or aids. Riders don’t have to think about their position; they focus on understanding how the horse is interpreting what they are trying to say…

    Transitioning from Passenger to Rider

    So the first part of creating this transition for yourself is to actually become aware that something has to change! And, hopefully, after reading this post or listening to this episode, you’re already there! The next part will be a little more time-consuming. This is because working through this transition in your riding skills requires putting your basics onto autopilot…

    ‘Riders’ don’t have to worry about their position or aids because they have already invested the time in putting the right basics onto autopilot – they just happen by themselves now and no longer need constant management

    That is a key part of the process to move away from being stuck in passenger mode and move into ‘rider’ mode. Putting the ‘right’ things onto autopilot. This is why riding instructors the world over go on and on about a good position. About good posture and self-carriage. Or can be heard shouting ‘heels down’ all of the time! These things matter.

    If you are in passenger mode now, you can begin carefully curating what you want to put onto autopilot so that you get the best possible results for you and your horse further down the road. 

    Flipping the 80/20 in Your Riding

    So, if right now, you are spending 80% of your time focused on ‘fixing’ or ‘correcting’ your basics (position, posture, aids, and bending), this is leaving only 20% of your time to focus on your horse. This needs to flip if you want to get unstuck and begin actually ‘training’ your horse the way you want.

    Moving away from being stuck in passenger mode requires you to become more aware of what you are doing so that the 80% of time you’re spending focused on ‘you’ now pays off in the long run.

    You want to turn each ride into the opposite of the ‘Passenger 80/20’:-

      • 20% self-awareness → A little time invested intentionally adjusting your alignment, position, aids…
      • 80% riding your horse → So that you can focus on supporting your horse to do his best work

    If 80% of your ride is spent fixing yourself, you’re not riding – you’re just sitting there, often stuck in passenger mode

    Where Should You Begin?

    This will vary for every single rider. Often, it can be worth getting an expert opinion on this initially if you’re unsure. I say this because you might begin to fixate on a specific thing, let’s say a swinging lower leg. When really that is merely a symptom of a forked seat. If you don’t have the knowledge or experience to identify a symptom and a cause, investing in a riding lesson with a knowledgeable instructor will be worth it’s weight in gold.

    Once you’ve figured out the root cause, start there. Spend 3 to 5 minutes at the beginning of every ride intentionally correcting this. Then, build checkpoints throughout your ride to check in on how you’re doing. 

    You will have to correct a lot initially. This is absolutely normal and to be expected. And this is often the work many riders are not willing to do! Again, this is also why riding instructors keep repeating the same things over and over. They are doing the ‘checking in’ for the riders!

    Only when you’ve been consistently doing the correct thing for a length of time will that then become a habit. Your body and brain will put it on ‘autopilot’. And this is what frees you up to focus on something else.

    Putting Your Basics on Autopilot

    If you want to move out of being stuck in passenger mode and begin transitioning into being a ‘rider’ for your horse, I can help. I truly believe that spending 9 to 12 weeks focusing on this is long enough to create a transformation in your riding.

    I can help you do this by putting the correct things onto autopilot in your riding, inside of the Returning to Riding Program. You can find more details over at https://returningtoriding.com

    The Returning to Riding Program is designed to move you out of the passenger seat and into confident, intentional riding. Join us and start riding with purpose!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Back to Riding? Improve Your Seat, Hands & Balance on Day 1

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    So you desperately want to get back in the saddle on the regular again. And you definitely feel excited. But you’re also feeling more than a little overwhelmed! The big looming question is “What do I do on that first ride?!” Stop panicking because today, I will guide you through exactly what to do on that first ride… Step by step with your horse. Remember, whether it’s been months or years, your body and mind need time to adjust.

    For your first few rides back, I want you to focus on increasing your awareness, rather than questioning if you’re ‘doing it right. Awareness over perfection! 

    Today, as we ride together, you will make some small but mighty shifts in how you sit, move, and connect with your horse. These strategic adjustments will make all the difference in rebuilding your confidence and comfort. And they will also help to keep your mind from wandering too much!

    So, obviously, this can be listened to while you are riding. But you can also listen before you mount up and then use what you learn to make your first or next ride really count in your journey back to regular riding.

    Settling Into the Saddle: Find Your Balance

    Once you are mounted up, and before you start making changes, let’s take a moment to pause. Take a deep breath and simply notice what’s happening in your body. Can you feel an excess tension creeping into specific areas?

        • Seat & Weight Distribution – Do you feel ‘even Steven’ in the saddle, or is one side heavier?
        • Legs – Are your legs resting naturally or gripping? Let them drape softly like curtains
        • Hands & Reins – Are you holding tension in your fingers? Keep your contact elastic, imagine holding a sponge and wanting to keep some water in the sponge!
        • Breathing – Are you breathing deeply, or are you holding your breath? Talking or singing to your horse can really help here…

    “Your first ride back isn’t about fixing—it’s about noticing. So often you will bring old habits back to the saddle with you. This is the perfect opportunity to make lasting changes to those!”

    Moving With Your Horse: Feel the Rhythm

    From here, ask your horse to begin to walk forward. Use these initial first few steps to first of all congratulate yourself for mounting up! And then, begin to scan your body. Your only job right now is to become aware of how you feel. As your horse walks, tune in to their movement. Are you following the motion or blocking it? Are you syncing or sinking the whole ship?!

        • Your Seat and Lower Back – Is your seat moving freely with your horse, or are you stiff and blocking the movement? Let your horse move your hips and seat. Think of a bicycle peddling backward.
        • Upper Body & Chest– Are you collapsing through your upper body? Or are you focusing on the feeling of ‘standing’ rather than ‘sitting’ through your upper body while in the saddle?
        • Shoulders & Arms Are your shoulders creeping up towards your ears?! Are your elbows sticking out in front of you (like a sleepwalker!)?  Do you have enough (or too much) bend in your elbows?
        • Balance & Symmetry – Are you centered, or are you more to one side or the other? How does the weight feel in your stirrups? And your knees; are they symmetrical? How about your hands…?

    “Your body is constantly giving signals to your horse—make sure they’re the right ones. Too much or too little tension in your body can have a massive impact on your horses way of going”

    The goal is to move with your horse, not against him. It’s like dancing. You want your horse to ‘lead’ you at this point in your riding. Don’t shove, or resist. Just relax, find neutral, and allow your body to be led. When you do, your horse will feel more relaxed and willing. It will feel like the energy is flowing. Rather than riding with the handbrake on!

    Small Adjustments for a Big Difference

    Once you’ve become more aware of what you’re doing in the saddle, you can begin to make small adjustments to how you are riding and interacting with your horse. I am going to suggest beginning with evening out tension levels throughout your body, correcting your posture, and aligning your position to where is best for the application of your aids. When you’re in the right place, it makes ‘talking’ to your horse so much easier!

        • Head, Shoulder, Hip, Heel Line – If I could magically click my fingers causing your horse to disappear, would you land on your feet? Or would you end up on your face or your bum?! This line is IMPORTANT!
        • Elbow, Wrist, Thumb, Rein, Bit Line – Have you got a lovely straight line from your elbow to your horse’s mouth? Or do you have a V or a lightning bolt going on?! Your hand, wrist, and lower arm are extensions of the rein – no bends or angles, please!
        • Symmetry & Weight Distribution – Are you sitting on your seat bones? And are each of your seat bones an equal distance from the middle of the saddle? Adjust your seat bones so that they point directly below you (click your fingers rule), and that there is an equal amount of your body on both sides of the saddle. If you do feel off-center, try shifting your weight slightly to rebalance yourself

    “The smallest adjustments often create the biggest improvements. And by starting off with making sure the basics are right, you are creating a strong foundation to build from in future rides…”

    Awareness of Your Horse & Your Habits

    As you make these changes, check in with your horse. Is he responding differently? How about relaxation; how are the tension levels in his body? And responsiveness? When you’re in the right place, he has a much better chance of understanding what you’re trying to say.

    The more aware you become, the more effective your riding will be. And the stronger your basics are, the more quickly and effectively you can build your skills as a rider. 

    It is always worth remembering that a lot of the ‘bad habits’ we cultivate as riders are actually symptoms of something else going on. Try to focus on ‘tweaking’ the cause, rather than drive yourself mad trying to treat the symptom! It won’t go away completely until you address the cause!

    Cooling Down & Reflection

    As you finish your ride, take a moment to reflect. Ask yourself:

        • What did I notice about my position and balance?
        • Where did I feel excessive tension?
        • How well did I carry myself – especially my hands and my upper body?
        • Where did I feel the most connected to my horse through our movements together?
        • What small changes made the biggest difference?
        • Are there any habits from before that have followed me back into the saddle again?

    “Every ride is a chance to learn something new about yourself and your horse… It’s your level of self awareness that allows you to make each ride an opportunity to improve”

    And, if you’re feeling up to it, you can try all of this again, but at the trot. I’m going to suggest listening to this episode again and applying the same awareness to your rising trot. Think of the basics, position, posture, weight distribution, and your ‘lines’.

    What’s Next? Choose Your Focus…

    Okay, so the first ride is done and dusted. However, now you need to build a little momentum. Choose one of the three following suggestions to work on for your next ride so that you can keep improving and truly make the most of this opportunity to be back in the saddle again.

        1. Learn to Begin Controlling Your Seat – Neutral, Go, and Whoa are all real ways you can influence your horse using your seat. I have an episode on this topic HERE
        2. Applying the Click Your Fingers Rule – Those lines are really important for both keeping you in the saddle and also how well your horse can listen to and understand your aids. I have got an episode on this HERE
        3. Developing Your Riding Fitness – Maybe you felt that you lacked the suppleness to move with your horse… If so, I strongly suggest diving into walking and yoga-based free 21-day Equestrian Fitness Challenge HERE

    Finally, I would love to hear from you… Which one of the above exercises felt the most impactful for you in your ride today? Pop over to the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community on Facebook and let me know! I’d love to hear about your experience.

    “Progress isn’t about doing everything at once – it’s about improving one small thing at a time.”

    And if you’re looking for more ways to make the most of your time with your horse, grab my free 80+ Ideas to Do with Your Horse in 15 Minutes or Less by CLICKING HERE

    Everything is neatly divided into categories for you to choose from depending on your vision, intention, or focus for your riding.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More Episodes on This Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

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