Strides for Success

Tag: Progress

  • Why Progress In Your Riding Can Often Feel Uncomfortable

    Why Progress In Your Riding Can Often Feel Uncomfortable

    Why Progress in Your Riding Can Often Feel Uncomfortable

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

      • Recognise that new can often mean uncomfortable
      • Think differently about ‘upgrading’ your riding
      • Begin to make room for improvement
      • Have appreciation for what has got you this far in your riding

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    Have you ever noticed how, when you begin working on improving something, things can feel a little like they are falling apart initially. Getting worse rather than better!  You become all worried that you have ‘broken’ something which, perhaps wasn’t exactly as you wanted it to be, but it worked!

    This is often the feelings that come up for riders when they begin refining their skills and aids in the saddle. It feels like they are actually going backwards rather than making the progress they want in their riding.

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast we are going to find out why this happens and what you can do to actually let this benefit you and move you forward in your riding.

    Recognise that New Often Means ‘Uncomfortable’

    I know, it is not what you want to hear, but it is the truth. Often, when we are working on improving something, we have to leave our comfort zone. And your brain, which is merely trying to protect you, begins sounding alarm bells and firing off its equivalent of ‘flares’ in order to try to get your attention to return to that lovely, safe, comfort zone!

    The thing to keep in mind is that ‘comfortable’ is not always best…

    Continuing to do things the way you have always done it will keep you inside of your comfort zone; but it will also ensure that you never make any real progress in your riding.

    Being able to recognise that your feelings of anxiety or worry about things going backwards are perfectly normal.  They are a necessary part of beginning to move things forward in your riding.

    It’s a little like tidying a room. Often it has to become messier and more ‘untidy’ before it actually begins to come together and improve. This is because some of the things in the room, while they once were useful, are no longer that way and must be removed to make room for what is needed right now in your life.

    Upgrading The Way You Do Things

    Horse riding is a little like this. Some of the things which possibly served you well up to this point, now need to be ‘replaced’ with things that are actually going to help you moving forwards.

    An example of this is the crest release when jumping. It works well when you are learning to jump. It allows you to feel secure and it gives you an actual physical ‘touch point’ if you do lose your balance.

    However, as your riding begins to evolve and as you begin to refine your jumping, things have to change.  Your trusty up until now crest release will eventually be replaced by the automatic release.

    This can often leave riders feeling a little ‘unbalanced’ initially. Their brain is literally screaming at them to ‘hold the mane’.  Overriding that impulse is key to integrating this new way into the day-to-day riding and jumping.

    Another example of how you will ‘upgrade’ your riding can often be seen by how riders ‘stop or slow’ their horses. When we learn to ride initially, we are often told that the brakes are the reins. Apply pressure and the horse will slow down or stop.

    However, as we refine our aids in the saddle, we begin to learn how our seat can actually communicate the same request to our horse, in a nicer and more ‘secret’ way. Again, it can initially feel like we are losing control. Our brains are telling us to just pull the reins and stop the horse! But, but persisting through the initially discomfort, we soon learn that the seat is indeed an effective aid when communicating with our horse.

    Making Room for Improvement

    I really think that riding is mindset first, physical abilities second. How you think about something has the power to influence your results. I would even go so far as to say that, in some cases, it is the cause of your results.

    Recognising that in order to improve, you will have to let go of certain ways of thinking and ways of doing things will free you up to learning new things.

    If you don’t understand why you should do something, research it. Find out why. Ask questions. Find out why this ‘new’ way is more effective.  Even if it doesn’t feel that way initially.

    Keep in mind that, just because you have made one change or upgrade, doesn’t mean that you will never revisit or upgrade this again. Horse riding, by its very nature, is a constant work in progress. You are always improving or refining how you do things, so that you can have more clear communication with your horse. If you are not, you are doing both yourself and your horse an injustice.

    What Got You Here Often Won’t Get You There

    Often, in order to get to the next level, you have to change tactics a little. Where you are now is not the same as where you want to go to in your riding. So it makes sense that you are going to have to do things a little differently in order to get to this ‘new’ place.

    Does this mean how you have been doing things is ‘wrong’ or ‘useless’?  No, not at all. They got you to where you are now. However, at each plateau in our riding, something has to change in order for us to grow and continue on with our journey as a rider.

    This comes back to becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. Letting go of things, even how we do things, can often be difficult.

    We almost feel like we are being unfaithful to the things which have served us well up to this point in our riding.

    These feelings of guilt can even cross over to the trainer or instructor who initially recommended the thing you are now ‘letting go of’ or changing.

    Remember, that person and that suggestion served you where you were at that exact moment in your journey. You’re not there anymore.

    Things have changed. So the tools you need in order to get to the next part of your journey will also, most often, have to change.

    Appreciating the Tools That Have Served You

    I regularly hear riders complain or moan about trainers or instructors who told them something which, where they are right now, no longer serves them. I really think that this is a short-sighted and, quite frankly unfair, judgement to be made by the rider.

    That very thing or suggestion, while it might no longer be the correct advice for where they are now, is what moved them along on their journey.

    Many riders only reach out to a professional for help as a last resort.  Often after they have been ‘stuck’ at a certain point for a long time. Sometimes drastic action is needed to get them unstuck! Riding instructors and trainers are not fortune tellers… They cannot see where you will be 6 months from now.

    Often they are just working on getting you to the next level. And how will you know you have reached the next level? Well, you know because you have to now upgrade your skills and tools.

    You will have to think about things and approach things differently again. Always keep in mind that what is working right now, at this new level, will possibly also become something you have to replace at a later stage as well.

    Horse Riding is a Never Ending Journey

    I know, it sounds so cliché!  But it is true. In order for you to really improve as a rider, it is worth remembering this as you move forwards in your riding.

    If you want to reach a new level, new skills will be required of you and your horse. Rather than feeling discomfort and anxious about this, approach it with a sense of excitement and curiosity.

    That is the conversation and it is, after all, why we devote so much time to an activity that we never really reach any specific ‘end point’.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Other posts and episodes that relate to this topic:-

  • Riding Alone; How To Keep Moving Forward

    Riding Alone; How To Keep Moving Forward

    Riding Alone - How to Keep Moving Forward

    Riding alone – does this best describe you and your horse when schooling and working?  If so, I understand how it can sometimes leave you feeling like you are trying to piece together a difficult jigsaw puzzle – with no ‘picture’ to help guide you!  Things not quite fitting together how you would like them to.

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    You’re not alone.  Equestrians who are riding alone often find themselves struggling with:

        • a lack of motivation
        • not knowing if challenges are caused by horse or rider error
        • a lack of accuracy & consistency
        • no accountability (“I’m just too tired to ride today”, anyone?!)
        • riding the same 30 minutes for the last three years…
        • the temptation to jump from A to B (without doing all the required work in between)

    It can be disheartening, especially as you probably were initially so excited about riding alone and working your horse by yourself.

    However, if you are struggling – there are definitely ways that you can start, today, overcoming those challenges.  So before you give up, which is the unfortunate end result for many of the thousands and thousands of riders out there riding alone, I want to give you a few ideas today on how you can turn your situation around.

    How you can make riding enjoyable, pleasurable, interesting, and, well, fun again for you and your horse.

    1.  Regular Inspiration

    Now, this seems a little obvious, but a lack of motivation can often be overcome by tapping into some really small, but potent, inspiration.   What is it that really gets you excited about horses and riding?

    For some people, this can be a simple as doing something different, such as getting out of the arena.  However, I am willing to bet that you have already wrung every drop of inspiration out of riding somewhere new – meaning a different approach is needed.

    Different mediums work for different people, so find what works for you and then make time in your schedule to tap into that source or feeling regularly.

    And remember, motivation will wear off, so it needs to be repeated on a regular basis to be effective.

    2. You or Your Horse?

    This one can be tough and confusing to try to figure out.  You find yourself riding alone and trying to work through a specific movement, or master a particular principle.  Over and over and over again you try, but it is just not coming together or happening.

    If you had a pair of eyes on the ground to guide you alone, the ‘course correcting’ would be much easier, but you don’t.  It is just you and your horse – and this problem!

    There are two ways you can deal with this challenge and I would suggest trying both, together, in order to really gain some insights on what is going wrong and why.

          • Start a riding journal
          • Take regular videos of your riding for comparison purposes

    The riding journal can be initially a little time-consuming and bothersome.  However, if you can capture a few details after every ride you will find that it becomes one of your greatest resources in identifying patterns.   I have a full detailed blog post on this HERE

    A riding journal will also help you pinpoint the cause, as opposed to treating the symptom. 

    With the videos, I have written a full blog post on this and how to implement it in your riding HERE

    3. Increasing Your Accuracy & Consistency

    This is actually one of the easiest pieces of the riding alone puzzle to begin putting together.  There will be a little work up front, but overall it will be something that can be put onto ‘auto-pilot’ pretty quickly in your riding.

          • Install ‘markers’ around your arena or riding space
          • Identify potential ‘markers’ if working outside the arena

    Now, many riders think that they have to get the expensive markers, or they feel that they must have an actual arena.  But ‘markers’ can be as basic as a large rock or a tyre and as sophisticated as professional dressage markers.

    And regardless of where you ride, this is something you can make work for you.  You can even go so far as to use trees, electricity poles or (yes, I am Irish, so don’t judge me here) potholes in the road as your markers!!

    What is important is that there is something or somethings that don’t move and you must ride past.  Then begin planning your transitions, your halts, your bends, your circles, your school movements, your leg yielding, your lengthening, your shortening (the list is endless) at those markers.

    Accuracy happens when you can do what you want to do at the exact point you want to do it. This is when your body passes the marker, not your horse’s head or tail.  You.  

    Now, you can also use these markers to improve consistency by creating little challenges for yourself.  “Every time I pass a marker, I will half halt and rebalance”.  Simple, yet effective.

    Implementing Change to Move Forward

    So there you have it.  We have covered the first three challenges on our original list and I really hope that you get some ideas here on how to move things forward.

    You can also download a free plan HERE to show you how to use One Exercise Mulitple Ways

    In there I will show you how you can begin mapping out some work for your riding.  There will be an actual plan you can use.  I will also be showing you how you can begin adding more outside accountability into your riding and how you can get out of frustration and move into clarity when riding alone.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Additional Links to Help You:-

  • Riding alone? Are you Making Progress in Your Riding?

    Riding alone? Are you Making Progress in Your Riding?

    Riding alone? Making sure you are making progressHave you ever noticed how things are less fun when it consists of the ‘same old, same old’ day in and day out?  Many riders make the mistake of thinking that making progress in their riding only pertains to riders who compete, or desire to do so…

    However, having had a riding school and livery yard for 12 years now, I can tell you first hand that the biggest reason people give up on their horse riding dreams is lack of progress.

    Getting your first horse, whether it be a lease horse or actually purchasing a horse is one of the most exciting and memorable times in the life of a horse lover.  A chance to do what they love – whenever they want!

    Unfortunately your first horse will also tend to coincide with more time spent riding without a trainer or instructor in the arena with you.  There is no longer someone there planning out your rides, guiding you along and keeping you and your horse ‘on track’.  

    Now, I say unfortunately because while this may indeed be fun and a bit of a novelty initially, this can all change quite quickly.  Why?  Well, like anything we do where we don’t have someone holding us accountable, if we are not disciplined and focused it becomes very easy to take our eye off the ball, or in this case the goal – which is progress.

    Now there are a few obvious solutions to this – like get an instructor – but sometimes this is not always possible.  And sometimes you might just enjoy riding alone with your trusty steed…

    There are ways to make sure you are making the progress you want with your horse while riding alone.  Here are a few ideas to get you started:-

    Begin with where you are

    In order to really begin identifying the key areas you should be focusing your attention on, you first need to asses where you are right now with your riding.

    Many riders make the mistake of never considering that something might be holding them back, which leads to them never progressing at all with their skills and knowledge in the saddle.

    Ask yourself a few questions…

    How much progress have you made in the past 6 months?

    Sometimes progress can be difficult to quantify, particularly when we don’t have regular lessons or compete regularly.

    However, it is just a matter of knowing what to look for, to see if you are indeed progressing as a rider…

    You should always be progressing in both physical capabilities and in mindset and thought

    Think of your last ride.  What part of the ride felt the most natural for you?  What part did you feel could improve?  Now, think of yourself and your riding 6 months ago…  Ask yourself the same questions – and if you have the same answers then, yes, something is a little ‘stuck’ with your progress.

    Imagine what a trainer would say to you if you stayed at the same level, despite consistently getting into the saddle.  The sad fact is that many riders do not see their time in the saddle as an investment.  Your time

    There will always be something you are working on improving in your riding.  There will always be something that needs more attention in order to happen with greater ease and softness.  HOWEVER, these things should change as you improve as a rider.

    How much progress as your horse made in the last 6 months?

    Horse riding is a team sport, you and your horse.  This is why it is important to assess the whole team when we are looking for obstacles to progress and success.  This can be difficult when you are riding alone, however it is certainly not impossible.  Again, it all comes down to knowing what to look for…

    Assess your horses progress as you would your own.  Is your horse still struggling with the same challenges?  Is the training progressing and building your horse, both physically and mentally?  Is your horse learning new skills and refining the older ones?

    Where would you like you both to be 6 months from now?

    Riding Alone? Are you making progress?

    Once you have a clear picture on how the past 6 months have impacted your riding and training, let’s turn your attention to the coming 6 months.

    Knowing what the ‘destination’ looks and feels like

    So often we allow ourselves to become ‘stuck’ where we are.  Either we cannot see a way to go forward, which is usually mindset and confidence issue.  Or we have set big goals and don’t have a plan to actually make them happen.

    Either way, becoming ‘unstuck’ can be as simple as really knowing what you truly desire in your riding.

    Is it the ability to have a ‘secret conversation’ with your horse?   Is it the feeling of confidence in both your own and your horses abilities?  Is it that feeling of connection which, up to now, has proved elusive in your riding?

    Once you have a starting point, start fleshing it out…  Ask yourself a few questions about what this ‘desire’, when achieved, will look like.  Where will you be?  What horse will you be riding?  Who will be there with you?  How will it feel?

    Simple questions that start to move you mentally, from where you are to where you need to start going.  

    Riding alone does not have to mean the end of progress when it comes to your skills as a rider.  Becoming clear on what you want – and how that will feel – is the key to making your time in the saddle, whether it be with an instructor or if you are riding alone, ‘worthwhile’ in the greater scheme of things.

    It is so much easier to move forward when there is something wonderful pulling you there.  The desire to be a better rider is a strong one.  Harness it in your riding by going a little deeper and figuring out what you truly want in your riding.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

  • 3 Keys to Maintaining Progress in Your Riding

    3 Keys to Maintaining Progress in Your Riding

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

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

    1. Discover what inspires you

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

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

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

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

    2. Share your experiences with others

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

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

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

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

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

    3. See your riding as a journey

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

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

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

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

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

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

    3 keys to maintining progress in your riding

    Take Action Today

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

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

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

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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

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