Strides for Success

Tag: Progress

  • Ideas for Reviewing Your Year in the Saddle

    Ideas for Reviewing Your Year in the Saddle

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    Isn’t it strange how, sometimes, when we look back over something ‘big’ or ‘long’ – like a year – we only remember 1 or 2 key events or things? And yet, when you truly sit down and begin reviewing your year in the saddle, there is so much more there to be mined!

    Today, I want to give you a few simple ways you can look back over the past 12 months (or whatever time frame you choose), and see it for all that it was for you and your horse.

    Reviewing Your Year

    I have been guilty of ‘skipping’ the whole reviewing process. Thinking about and planning for the ‘new’ definitely feels more exciting. Setting goals and beginning to play with the feelings of actually achieving those goals is a potent and powerful practice.

    But, to truly make that work for you, I think it is just as important to go back over what has happened.  To use the past as a guide for creating more in your future. 

    Identifying patterns is one of the best ways to either create or remove something from your riding.  By going through the year, month by month, you can really see what works and what doesn’t when it comes to you and your horse.

    Use Your Photos as a Guide

    This is one of the best tools you have to help you revisit the year.  Set yourself up with something nice to drink, a quiet and relaxing space and get started.  By going through the photos on your phone, you will get to revisit the whole year, month by month.  When I do this I regularly find photos of different things that happened that I had completely forgotten about!

    And even if the photos are not horse-related, often the memory of something else can trigger a memory about your horse or your riding…

    I am going to suggest writing down all of the different things in chronological order in your riding journal.  This way you can really begin to notice patterns; good ones and the not so helpful ones! It also helps you to really understand your schedule, which will be important when it comes to creating realistic goals for the next year.

    Ask Yourself Questions

    Once you have the year laid out you can begin using this as a reference so that you can find out more about what the year held for you. I do think that it can be helpful to approach your riding and your horse’s training separately.

     1. Skill Development and Training:

    • What new skills or disciplines did you and your horse work on during the year?
    • How has your horse’s training progressed, and what areas still need improvement?
    • Did you achieve the training goals you set at the beginning of the year?
    • What adjustments can be made to your training plan to enhance both your and your horse’s abilities?

     2. Relationship and Communication:

    • How has the bond between you and your horse developed over the past year?
    • Did you effectively communicate with your horse, and were there any notable improvements in your partnership?
    • Were there any challenges in understanding and responding to your horse’s behavior?
    • What steps can you take to strengthen the connection with your horse in the upcoming year?

     3. Equipment, Time, and Facilities

    • Did you encounter any challenges with the logistics of horse care, such as boarding, transportation, or scheduling?
    • Were there any facility improvements or changes that positively or negatively affected your riding, training, or just being with your horse?
    • How well did your current setup meet the needs of both you and your horse?
    • What adjustments or changes in logistics can enhance the overall efficiency and enjoyment of your equestrian activities in the next year?

    Review Your Riding Journal

    If you are not already, let this week be the week you begin tracking your riding.  Trust me, when you begin to do this, you will have a powerful tool to use when you are completing your review.  You can keep track of your horse’s training progress, note achievements, and identify areas for improvement.

    When you begin to regularly record training sessions, noting exercises, challenges, and successes, you can use that knowledge going forward. By reflecting on the effectiveness of different training approaches, you can set your goals for the future – and increase your chances of making them happen!

    Using Your Review to Plan Ahead

    Once you have a clear idea of what the previous 12 months looked like in your riding, you are then ready to begin mapping out the coming 12…  And you can do it in a way that will work for you and your horse.

    Reviewing your year may seem time-consuming and not all that helpful, but I hope that you will take my advice and give it a go for you and your horse this week!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Making the Most of Time with Your Horse

    Making the Most of Time with Your Horse

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1267_How_to_Make_The_Most_of_Time_with_Your_Horse.mp3″ title=”Making the Most of Time with Your Horse” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”How to make the most of 15, 30 or 60 mins with your horse” hashtag=”horsepodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    There are certain times of the year when circumstances mean you can find yourself with either more or less time with your horse. December, August, and April are just a few that pop into my mind.  Some riders find they have more time, and other riders have significantly less! It just depends on your unique circumstances and situation.

    What is key to remember is that whatever side of the time conundrum you find yourself on, making the time with your horse count is important. Especially if you hope to continue to move forward in your training together.  Can you really afford to lose a month of training – and set your momentum back to zero?

    So, to help you get this all figured out and continue to grow and develop your skills as a rider, here are a few ideas on how you can make the most of your time with your horse. However much time that happens to be for you.

    15 Minutes or Less

    Oh yes, there is so much you can do in 15 minutes (or 5 minutes) with your horse.  The key is to think about the time difference.  My ‘go to’ training method when time is short is to focus on the groundwork.  It requires absolutely minimal equipment – so no ‘getting ready’,

    The key to making the most of time, especially when it is short, is to have a clear goal for what you want to achieve in that time.

    Things such as a square halt, a turn on the forehand that remains in rhythm, working over some basic ground poles for coordination and suppleness, or rein back are just a few things that can be worked on and accomplished in a short period of time.

    When you only have a few minutes, ask yourself the question “What can I ask my horse to do, while I’m on the ground beside him, that will move our training forward?” 

    15 to 30 Minutes

    Now, for many riders, this may still seem like a bit of an impossible feat; we all know how fast 30 minutes can go by, right?! However, again, if you can become REALLY intentional with what you are doing, you can achieve so much in that time with your horse.

    Now, a lot of what you do with your 30 minutes will depend on how your yard is set up…  If you have to walk 10 minutes just to catch your horse from the field, well, that has to be factored in.  If your horse is already in the stable or stall and waiting for you, you have a lot more options.

    I find that the most effective way to train my horse in 15 to 30 minutes is through lunging. However, this is only effective if I have a clear focus for the session…

    So, again, having a plan is key to making the most of this time with your horse.  Think about it, if you can combine 10 minutes of groundwork (as your warm-up) with 15 minutes of lunging… You have just had a fantastic training session with your horse – and you still have 5 minutes for hugs and kisses ;)

    30 Minutes to an Hour

    Okay, so once we get to the point where we have a little more time, we can begin thinking about riding. Yes, you can ride if you have 30 minutes, however, I find that it usually ends up feeling rushed and stressed.  Not a great feeling when we want to model being present for our horses! So, I prefer to wait until I have a little more time before I will actually tack up and ride.

    Depending on the length of time I have, I will choose something relevant to focus on.  Remember, you also have to allow for both your warming up and your cooling off.

    This means that if I want to work on maybe canter or jumping, I will do these on the days when I do have a full hour.  On the days when I have 40 minutes, I might rather work on lateral work, bending and suppleness, or contact. Things that I can do quite a bit of the work in walk and trot, which then means that the cool down and ‘aftercare’ won’t take as long.

    Over an Hour…!

    Finally, those special days when I have all the time in the world – well, sort of!  These are the days I plan bathing, massage, walking together, a long luxurious groom… As well as riding and maybe some groundwork or lunging as well.

    Alternatively, I find that these longer sessions are great for getting out of the arena and ‘exploring’ with my horse. There is no hurry, meaning that we can spend time ‘greeting’ any of the scary things we come across along the way.  Unrushed and feeling calm.

    I think all riders have a running list of ‘things I would love to do with my horse but need more time for’.  The only way you will actually get to do any of these things is, again, planning in advance! 

    Planning Time with Your Horse

    As I have been preaching for years, the only way that you will really begin to see improvements in your riding and your relationship with your horse is by becoming intentional.  As I said at the beginning, we all have times and periods when our usual routine or schedule doesn’t apply.

    In order to continue to move forward with your horse, make sure you are planning for these times, so that you can continue to develop with your horse.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Have More Success When Training Your Horse Alone

    Have More Success When Training Your Horse Alone

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1254_More_Success_When_Training_Your_Horse_Alone.mp3″ title=”Creating Success When Training Your Horse; Even When Working Aone” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Here’s a step by step to use when training your horse alone” hashtag=”horsetraining” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    Are all the months starting to look and feel the same for you and your horse? Especially if you have been training your horse alone! Have you been experiencing a case of ‘same ride again’ on repeat, over and over again?  If so, here are 5 tips to help you to achieve more when training your horse.  Especially if you are working alone without a trainer or a coach to help.

    More Success When Training Your Horse Alone

    Let’s be honest here, we all want ‘more’.  We want to do things in as little time as possible, and in the easiest way possible as well.  And while the following pointers will certainly help you to do this, it is also really important to remember 2 other key ingredients when training horses.

    You must factor in time and consistency when working with your horse. If either one of those is missing, any results you achieve will most likely be short-term.

    So, while you begin working and using the following formula for each training session, make sure you are coupling it with those two most important of important elements as well.

     1. Focus on One Thing

    This is one of those ‘simple to say, but not all that easy to do’ things when it comes to riding. I mean, how hard could it possibly be to focus on one outcome for each ride?  Oh… More difficult than you think!

    Distractions are everywhere when working with your horse. You will notice ‘other things’ that need attention literally crop up around every single corner! 

    One of your greatest responsibilities as your horse’s trainer is deciding if each of those ‘other things’ is something that needs to be worked on immediately when training your horse alone.  Is it something that, without first really working on it, will actually prevent you from whatever it is you do want to achieve in that ride? Or is it something that can be the focus of another training session at another time?

     2. Be Intentional Before You Mount Up

    Regardless if you give your horse a 10-minute’ lick and a promise’ groom, or a 30-minute luxurious make-over, there is always more you can do inside of each session.  When you know what you will work on in the arena, you can begin to incorporate elements into your time before mounting up.

    For example, if your focus for the upcoming training session together is to create cleaner transitions into the canter, you could work on a little responsiveness while grooming.  Things like asking your horse to move ‘over’. Or asking for him to move ‘back’.

    It is worth remembering that you are ALWAYS training your horse, alone or not. From the moment he knows that you are there, the conversation has begun… 

    1254 More Success When Training Your Horse Alone 2

    3. Use Your Warm-Up

    The first 10 minutes of each ride with your horse have the potential to set the tone for whatever follows. So rather than letting it all unfold by chance, it makes sense to become more intentional with it.  If you already know what you will be working on inside of the actual working part of your riding session with your horse, use this time to visualize how it will look and feel when you achieve it.

    One of the best things we can do to support ourselves as riders is to begin taking the actions of someone who has already achieved what we want. 

    Maybe that looks like sitting up taller.  Or use the time to ‘fine tune’ your position and aids. It might involve some breathing exercises.  Closing your eyes and really get to feel what your horse is doing underneath you. The list is endless, and we have not even begun to mention your horse in the list!

    Your warm-up and cool-down periods are valuable time you can work on improving, connecting with, or developing your relationship with your horse, or your skills as a rider. 

    4. Dedicate 15 to 20 Minutes

    I think the biggest mistakes riders make are doing too much in a single session and then losing hope when they cannot sustain or see the results they were after for very long.  As I mentioned at the beginning, when you’re training your horse alone, time is an important part of the process.

    You will achieve more when training your horse alone if you can create more short, quality, focused sessions together. Rather than long, tiring rides that are too far apart. 

    When you know what you want to work on, commit to 15 or 20 minutes of quality work on it.  This will allow both you and your horse to develop your concentration, physical strength, and fitness.

    Regularly doing things will also allow you both to develop your confidence; in yourselves and each other. Both are key when successfully training your horse alone.

    5. Keep Track of Your Training

    Finally, as your horse’s trainer (yes, you are!), it is your responsibility to record and track your rides and your progress.  Relying purely on feelings and emotions when it comes to training is a recipe for disaster.

    It is only when you have actual evidence of each ride, and you review this evidence, that you can begin to see patterns that you can use to make even more progress. 

    It is also worth noticing what happens after you track for a significant period of time; your ideas about what works and what doesn’t become more clear.  You will begin to instinctively know, without even having to think, what to do in most situations you find yourself with your horse.

    The longer you track, the more you can begin to trust your feelings and emotions regarding your riding… And more ‘in tune’ you will become with both yourself and your horse. 

    For me, that makes all of the effort initially required to track worthwhile :)

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Find in the Gaps In Your Horse’s Training

    If you are interested in learning more about where you might be missing pieces in your riding, sign up for my new free training “ FIND THE GAPS IN YOUR HORSE’S TRAINING“.  This audio training can be listened to, via podcast app, to help you figure out where to begin working with your horse.

    You can sign up and get it, for free, HERE

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  • Setting Up Each Ride as a Stepping Stone in Your Training

    Setting Up Each Ride as a Stepping Stone in Your Training

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    Every time you interact with your horse, there is the possibility of improving your communication and understanding.  However, planning and intention must be present for each ride to be an actual stepping stone.  Having one without the other will not give you the outcome you are hoping for.

    Creating the plan and setting the intention is key to each ride becoming a valuable link in the chain of progress as you train your horse.

    And this begins with you deciding where you are going and how you want to get there…

     1. Decide on a Goal or Outcome

    Getting clear on what you want to achieve in your riding and training is key to creating intentional rides with your horse.  And yet, so many riders fail to do this.  Some have a wishy-washy version of what they want. Others have no idea at all and never really think about the future of their riding and training. And then there are the riders who have set unrealistic and unattainable goals. And continuously feel disappointed and frustrated when they fail to reach them!

    Think of yourself and your horse a year from now; what would you like to be different from today? This is a great place to start when setting goals

    By noticing what is different, you can begin to identify what needs to change or happen in order to bridge the gap.  And it is these things that will make up the first draft of your plan for your riding.

     2. Keep Things Aligned

    Once you have a goal or desired outcome, it is important to make sure that it is realistic for both yourself and your horse. If your chosen goal doesn’t work for both of you, it will never be sustainable or enjoyable! And these are both key to remaining committed to your riding and your horse’s training journey.

    Your goals must align with your values, resources, and beliefs in order for you and your horse to make them happen. 

    For example, let’s say you choose the goal of competing every weekend with your horse.  If ‘family’ is one of your top values, this goal and your value, potentially, won’t work well together. Both will compete against each other for your attention and focus, rather than complementing each other.

    Now, if you tweak the goal slightly so that your goal is to compete 4 or 5 times each quarter (12 weeks), this goal becomes much more likely to happen.  And it won’t be directly competing with your value.

    Pay attention to how much time you have, your other responsibilities, commitments, physical limitations, and resources (arena, trainer, etc.). Your goal must work and align with all of these things. 

     3. Identify the Crucial Steps

    From here, you can now begin to really define the differences between ‘here’ and ‘there’ in your riding.  If you had achieved your goal right now, what would you have to have changed, started doing, or stopped doing in order to make it a reality?

    These ‘differences’ are the basic points in your plan and when put in sequential order and fleshed out, will create your stepping stones. 

    Start with what must happen first. Maybe it is changing a schedule so you can ride 3 days a week instead of 1.  Or it could be bringing your horse back to work after a break.  What is the first thing that must happen in order for you to begin on this journey with your horse?  From here, simply put each ‘difference’ in order of where or when it can be worked on, introduced, changed, etc.

    Once you have laid things out, double-check them by working backward. Imagine you have achieved your goal; do these things make sense in helping you get there?

     4. The First 12 Weeks

    Horses are great at helping us to become more supple; physically and mentally.  I say this because it is very rare for any rider to create their first riding plan – and for it all to work out perfectly! There will be days when your horse will have other thoughts about how the session will play out for both of you.

    Rather than feeling frustrated when things don’t go exactly to plan, use this information to create better plans going forward.

    I am a big believer in creating a loose 12-week riding plan. This can be working towards one specific thing that you will need to improve, introduce, or change that will help you achieve your longer, bigger goal. I personally also enjoy ‘themeing’ my months.  I create each month so that it leads to the next one.

    Once you have your loose plan for the 12 weeks, you can begin to dive in deeper and really flesh the plan out.  This is where I recommend looking closely at the upcoming 4 weeks.

     5. The Next 4 Weeks in Detail

    This is where you can really begin to create those ‘stepping stones for you and your horse.  Start with figuring out what days you will ride (or work with your horse) and how long you have on each of those days. From here, begin thinking about exercises you can use that will help you develop or work on whatever it is you need to improve or change.

    Remember, the exercises themselves are not as important as the intention or focus you use when riding them with your horse

    For example, if you choose to ride a serpentine or work on serpentines, the sky’s the limit regarding what the focus or intention will be.  It could be rhythm, relaxation, straightness, bend, flexion, transitions, etc. Spending 30 minutes riding serpentines without an intention won’t benefit you or your horse. However, 20 minutes is devoted to serpentines to improve bend, suppleness, and flexion; this will help move things forward.

    6. Setting Up Each Ride

    From here, it is simply a matter of showing up and being consistent. If you have created a plan, it is important to try and work that plan.  Even on the days when you don’t ‘feel’ like it.  Obviously, there will be occasions when you will need to tweak, or even change the plan for a particular ride, and it is important to be flexible and supple on those days.

    But, for the most part, your responsibility will be to show up and keep both you and your horse focused for the time you are working together.

    By doing this consistently, you will begin to not only see results.  But also, as you learn more about yourself and your horse, you will become better at creating plans that work for you both as well.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • How Your Horses Talents Can Help Develop His Weaker Points

    How Your Horses Talents Can Help Develop His Weaker Points

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1249_Using_Your_Horses_Talents_To_Build_Confidence_and_Develop.mp3″ title=”How Focusing on Your Horses Talents Can Help Develop His Weaker Points” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Training is all about ease and flow… Here’s how to consistently do that with your horse” hashtag=”horsepodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    We all have talents. Things that seem to come naturally to us and that we excel at. Your horse is the same. And, in my experience, when we approach training our horses with the idea that we are helping them develop their talents, everyone is happier.

    Unfortunately, it is common practice for many people to focus on weaknesses. Both in the human and in the horse! And so many riders create training programs and riding plans based on what their horse is not so talented at doing.

    Doing something over and over again that you struggle with is not a recipe for happiness or success!

    Identifying Your Horses Talents

    All horses have specific things that they enjoy doing and are good at doing. The key to creating lasting success is to identify these areas and use them to strengthen the weaker areas.  Next time you’re working with your horse, notice what he truly enjoys doing, or what he does with ease and flow.

    Once you have identified your horse’s talents, you can then begin to use them to either introduce or ‘soften’ the things that he finds more difficult when it comes to training and working.

    Create a Plan to Focus on the Positive

    From here, I believe that it is your responsibility to get creative when creating a plan for your horse’s training or work. Ask yourself how you can use what your horse truly enjoys in order to help develop those weaker areas.

    So, for example, if your horse really enjoys working over grids or ground poles, how can you use these tools to help encourage the areas he’s not so good at? Or if he is fantastic at establishing and maintaining a rhythm in the canter, how can you use this to help him do the same in other gaits?

    By starting from the area of work or training that he enjoys, you set the tone for a better overall conversation throughout the ride.

    And because you regularly return to the good stuff, especially when things feel heavy, challenging, or tough, your horse will become more willing to continue with the work.

    Sprinkle Like Confetti

    It can be so tempting to only do the complex or challenging thing in each ride. To ‘push on through’ and improve it or create a breakthrough. And sometimes this is what may be needed in order for things to progress for you and your horse.

    Yet, doing the ‘hard stuff’ all of the time will soon lead to a sour horse and a frustrated rider… A stalemate of sorts!

    I personally believe in the ‘sprinkle like confetti’ approach… This simply means that if you were handed a map of each ride, after the ride, you would see the hard stuff inserted in small little amounts throughout the overall ride. The rest of the ride would be filled with ‘easy’ or ‘enjoyable’ stuff.

    By bookending the more difficult work with exercises based on your horse’s talents, the whole ride becomes more enjoyable.

    We Learn When We’re Having Fun

    Finally, it is important to consider how you feel when doing the things you enjoy and are good at. There is relaxation, rhythm, ease, and flow that go with these things. And those good feelings are multiplied when someone takes notice of what you are doing and focuses positive attention on them.

    This can often make us want to do more, even if challenges crop up every now and then.  The ‘good stuff’ helps us commit to working through the more difficult things. 

    Riders and horses learn more and retain more when they are enjoying the work. As riders, and trainers for our horses, it is important to remember this.  And commit to investing time, creativity, and enthusiasm into creating a riding plan that will inspire and delight your horse.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • How Often Must You Ride to Improve Your Riding?

    How Often Must You Ride to Improve Your Riding?

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/dailystridespodcast/1212_How_Much_Do_I_Need_to_Ride_to_Improve_My_Riding.mp3″ title=”How Often Do I Need to Ride to Improve My Riding?” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Are you spending hours in the saddle? Or do you not get enough riding? Here’s how to improve either way…” hashtag=”horsepodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    Do you want to improve your riding skills, and yet finding more time to spend in the saddle feels an impossible task right now.  More time in the saddle means an even more ‘busy’ schedule!

    Or, perhaps, you’re experiencing the other side of this coin; you’re riding all of the hours, but you’re not actually seeing any improvement?

    It is important to remember that riding alone won’t improve your skills as rider… There are a lot of other factors involved as well.

    Not Riding Enough

    Let’s tackle the ‘I don’t ride enough to improve’ first. Yes, while it is true that in order to build and increase your skills as a rider you do have to spend some time in the saddle, the keyword to remember there is ‘some’. Hours and hours of endless riding are not entirely essential to improve your skills.

    Remember, the key to improving as a rider is to be very intentional with the time you do have to ride or interact with your horse

    This will allow you to focus on the things that will best move the needle for you in your riding. So, for example, if you are struggling with upward transitions, your time will probably be more valuable if you work on your self-carriage while riding.  Rather than simply practicing the upward transition.

    It is important to identify what are symptoms in your riding, and what are the actual root causes…

    I have a previous episode on this HERE that will help you to begin doing that.

    Riding All of the Hours

    The flip side to this is the rider who rides 4 or 5 hours each week but still fails to improve. If this is you, you’ll know how ‘hard’ you practice. How diligent you are at making sure you get those rides in… And, understandably, how frustrating it is when nothing changes!

    Doing more of something won’t help if the thing you are doing is not the right thing.

    As a rider, it is important to remember that your basic skills must be upgraded regularly in order to work with the ‘new version’ of you in the saddle. Meaning that whatever got you to this point in your riding, won’t get you to the next level.

    Letting go of older ways of doing things can feel uncomfortable. Especially if those things helped get you to the point you’re at now.  However, in order to grow as a rider, it will require you to begin doing strategic things differently. This can often be small tweaks that make all the different

    Okay, so you know which side of this equation you are sitting on. The next thing to do is to begin creating a strategy to actually improve.

    Get Clear On Current Priorities

    If you are not riding as much as you want right now, you need to ask yourself why? And be REALLY honest with the answer.

    Yes, there are some people who, due to the season of their life right now, simply can’t devote any more time to riding each week. And that is fine. If this is you, my advice is to improve your knowledge, your posture, your core strength, your coordination, and your emotional well-being and beliefs each day. None of these things require you to actually ride your horse.

    However, for most riders who don’t have ‘time to ride’, the issue is less about time and more about priorities. Horse riding is not a high enough priority on your list right now. Again, this may be a season. If so, follow the advice mentioned above.

    But, if this statement makes you feel a little uncomfortable – it is probably because there’s a grain, or twenty, of truth in there…

    Do a ‘Time Audit’

    Many riders who are not riding as much as they say they want to tend to overcomplicate things. They make riding out to be this great big, 4-hour thing that will suck up all the remaining time in the day. This is not true.

    30 minutes of quality time with your horse, on the ground or in the saddle, is more than enough to improve your riding – if you are intentional about what you are doing.

    The key is to have a plan. Know what you want to work on and then make it happen. Start with groundwork. 20 minutes here and 10 minutes there. This will help you to begin creating momentum and rhythm.

    From there, transfer this to lunging. It requires a little more of a commitment, but again 20 or 30 minutes here and there will make all the difference.  Until finally you are riding for 30 to 40 minutes a couple or more times a week.

    Keep in mind it is NOT the riding, the lunging, or the groundwork that will improve your riding. It is the plan and the intention you create going into each session…

    Stop ‘Clock In’ Riding

    Now, if you are on the flip side, in that your riding all of the hours but not seeing any improvement, this is for you. I am encouraging you to begin keeping track of your rides. What did you set out to work on? Why? How did it go? How much of the ride did you actually devote to this? And, equally as important, how many times did you get sidetracked?

    Clock in riding will not improve your riding. It will only serve to further ingrain bad habits and help you and your horse feel a little more ‘sour’ with each ride.

    As a rider, you have to begin taking responsibility for what happens inside of each interaction with your horse. This requires creating a plan and sticking to it.

    Making strategic tweaks to what you are doing and tracking the outcome.

    Only when you begin to approach your riding from the same perspective a trainer or coach would will you begin to see positive change. And, keep in mind, often things get a whole lot messier before they get better🙂 It’s a process. Be consistent, hold the course and you will begin to see positive changes.

    Enjoy Each Moment

    Finally, and I realize this is a little cheesy, but learn to be present with your horse. Rather than constantly berating yourself and him for not being further along, notice what you have achieved right now.

    Simply creating space in your schedule to be still with your horse for 3 to 5 minutes can be life-changing.

    The more appreciation you feel for yourself and your horse, the more that will shine through in your relationship.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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