Strides for Success

Tag: riding alone

  • 3 Shortcuts in Your Riding a Pivo Can Help You See & Change

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdcn.co/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1370_3_Shortcuts_in_Your_Riding_A_Pivo_can_Help_You_See_and_Change.mp3″ title=”3 Shortcuts in Your Riding a Pivo can Help You See and Change” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    Instant gratification. It can be tempting to take a shortcut if it means you get the quick result. But shortcuts in your riding rarely have long-term benefits. Riding is one of those beautiful (and sometimes frustrating) journeys where the lasting results are usually anything but instant! It takes time, patience, and a good dash of humility.

    For most riders, the shortcuts are unintentional. But let’s be honest, sometimes it’s because we just want to feel like we’re making progress. And think, ‘what’s a few skipped steps if I get the outcome I want?’

    Here’s the thing, though… those shortcuts? They’ll come back to bite you in the bum. Every time!  So today, I want to help you spot a few of the most common shortcuts riders take. And I’m going to explain how a handy little gadget like a Pivo can help you both find them and begin changing them.

    Shortcut 1: Ignoring (or Rushing) the Warm-Up

    Okay, let’s be clear, I’m not saying you’re skipping the warm-up completely. Most riders do walk their horses around at the beginning of a ride. But what I’m talking about here is more subtle…

    It’s the difference between “warming up” and truly using the warm-up to prepare both you and your horse for what’s to come.

    You see, the warm-up is your golden opportunity to tune in to your horse. Are they relaxed? Forward? A bit tight through the back? Swinging and supple? Or distracted and carrying too much tension?  Your warm up should move both you and your horse closer to the actual work, in a way that makes you both ‘ready’ when you get there.

    Here’s where Pivo comes in; I want you to try this exercise next time you ride.  Take three short video clips, just 30 seconds to 1 minute each, during your warm-up. One at the beginning, one in the middle, and one just before you transition into the ‘work’ part of your session.

    Then later, watch those clips back. Can you see a progression? Is your horse moving better as you go from clip 1 to 2 to 3? Are you both ‘tuning into’ each other a little more?

    If not… Ask yourself, “What could I do differently next time?”  Then, next time you’re in the saddle, remind yourself of what the warm-up REALLY is… It’s not just about going through the motions. It’s about preparing both of you to work together. And video helps you see the moments where you can improve this connection every time you’re in the saddle.

    Shortcut 2: Trying to Do Everything For the Horse

    This is one I see all the time. Riders get into the habit of “helicopter riding”. Hovering, managing, micromanaging… basically trying to do everything for the horse.  They’re shoving the horse around the arena. Holding everything together. Making every decision.  And it comes from a good place. We care, we want the ride to go well, but it ends up blocking progress because we’re not letting the horse do their job.

    Here’s a truth that changes everything when you let it sink in: Your job is to ask the question.  Then, it’s your horse’s job to respond to that question…

    You’re not allowing that to happen if you’re forcing or shoving. Or if you’re trying to hold everything together so tightly that you feel like if you relax for even a split second – the whole thing will just fall apart! So many riders do this. And it becomes really obvious during simple school movements. Think circles or basic lateral work.

    The riders are just over-efforting. They contort themselves trying to “get it right.” Meanwhile, their horse never learns to take responsibility or carry themselves.

    Again, I think that the Pivo is the perfect partner to help wean you away from micromanaging!  Set up your Pivo and ride some simple patterns. Think large sweeping circles for greener horses, tighter and more accurate ones for more advanced horse and rider combinations.

    Then, as you watch the footage, ask yourself:  Am I doing too much?  Is my body remaining relaxed – or am I fighting to hold it together?  Is my horse being allowed to answer – or am I dictating the whole conversation? 

    If you spot yourself over-efforting, try pulling back. Release the need for everything to be perfect and right. Let your horse answer more for themselves. Mistakes are part of the learning! Trust that letting go a little can actually move you forward faster.

    Shortcut 3: Skimming Over Transitions

    Oh, transitions. The unsung hero of good riding, and often the most overlooked element in most schooling sessions! Too many riders see transitions as just a bridge. A way to get from walk to trot, or trot to canter. They’re focused on the destination and forget that the journey. It’s the quality of the transition itself that is what’s important.

    Here’s what I want you to remember:  Transitions are not just a means to an end.  They are training tools in and of themselves.  And will often dictate the quality of what you’re moving into…

    Every transition is a chance to improve your horse’s balance, straightness, softness, responsiveness, and so much more. And if you’re rushing them, ignoring them, or dreading them – well, chances are you’re missing out on so much goodness in your riding!

    This is another perfect job for your Pivo.  Start setting up planned transitions in specific places in your arena. Use cones, markers, poles, or your jersey if that’s all you have! Then hit record, ride the transition, and pay attention to just one element at a time:

          • Straightness
          • Lightness
          • Preparation before the transition
          • Relaxation and rhythm before, during, and after the transition

    You’ll be amazed at how much clarity you get when you start treating transitions as an important school movement in every ride. Rather than just a way to move through the gears!

    Bonus tip? Use the Pivo remote to hit record when you’re ready. Or better yet, talk to your future self while you ride. Share what you’re feeling, what you’re aiming for. Then, when you review it later, you get full feedback with your emotions and intentions as well.

    Let Your Future Self Be Your Coach

    Video gives you a different perspective.  When you’re in the saddle, you’re very much feeling into the moment. And sometimes, it’s hard to see what’s really happening. But when you step back and review a clip with fresh eyes, everything becomes clearer.

    That’s why I truly believe tools like the Pivo can change the game for riders; especially those who train alone.

    So this week, pick one of these three areas: your warm-up, your tendency to micromanage, or your transitions. And then use your Pivo, or any camera, to take just a few short clips. Let Future You be the trainer, and ask yourself: “What do I see here? And what could I improve next time?”

    Little by little, this is how you grow. Not through big leaps. Not by forcing or faking it. But by showing up, being curious, and learning to ride with more awareness.

    Keen to Try Pivo?

    If you’re curious about getting a Pivo of your own, I’ve partnered with them to offer you 10% off.   Just go to stridesforsuccess.com/pivo and use the code DAILYSTRIDES at checkout.

    And as a special thank you, I’ll also send you The Original Returning to Riding Audio Program. For free :)  Just email me after you order, and I’ll get it straight to your inbox.

    Video can 100% help you to really see what’s going on in your riding. And the Pivo makes it so much easier. The ‘zapper’ to start and stop the recording. The mic and earbuds to either speak to ‘Future You’ or listen to your instructor on a virtual lesson. And the fact that the Pivo itself will just follow you around the arena. Like magic ;).

    I really do believe this little piece of technology can transform your riding…

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Free Ride & Review Kit

    Want help getting started with video reviews, even without a Pivo?  I have created a step-by-step guide on how you can turn your smartphone into a trusty assistant in the arena.

    Download my free Ride & Review Kit here: stridesforsuccess.com/video

    It includes a short audio lesson and a checklist to help you make the most of every ride; whether you’re riding solo or reviewing your videos like a pro.

    More on This Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • 15 Minutes or Less with Your Horse… For 90 Days?

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdcn.co/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1351-15-Minutes-or-Less-for-90-Days.mp3″ title=”15 Minutes or Less with Your Horse – For 90 Days” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    Are you guilty of only looking for longer gaps of time to work with your horse? I mean, what could you possibly do in 15 minutes or less to move things forward, right?!  If this has been your thinking up to now, you’re not alone. I was guilty of this… To be honest, I think we have all been there. However, once I began to reframe what those smaller chunks of time could be, everything changed!

    Get the 50+ Inspiring Ideas to do with your horse when you find yourself with a small gap of timeCLICK HERE

    What would happen if you began seeing the value in finding small gaps of time to connect with your horse? Using short, focused time periods—15 minutes or less—can be a game changer for you, your riding, and your partnership with your horse.

    Here’s why becoming more intentional (and excited) about the odd 15 minutes or so a few times a week can transform everything for both of you.

    The C Word – Consistency…

    So many riders want to become more consistent. And, a lot of them want to swipe some magic wand and make it happen! It won’t. The only way to start becoming consistent is to be intentional. And doing short regular things with your horse are just that.

    Especially when you want to get started with something, the short sessions are easier and often more effective for both of you. And because they are more likely to get done, they create steady progress.

    Your horse probably loves consistency, most horses thrive on it. Use this to your benefit and begin using each of those 15 minutes or less gaps of time to build something together.  These small moments, when repeated, add up over time. It just requires you to have a plan for them.

    GET THE FREE DOWNLOAD, 50+ INSPIRED IDEAS & EXERCISES FOR WHEN YOU’VE 15 MINUTES OR LESS WITH YOUR HORSE BY CLICK HERE

    Focus on Quality…

    I’m going to assume that you have something you and your horse are working towards… If not, you now have your ‘Step 1’ ;) Once you know what you’re longer term vision is for you both, you can then begin thinking about ‘smaller steps’ that will compliment or act as stepping stones to that goal.

    Which activity will make more sense for your 15 minutes or less with your horse; something fun, partnership building, or a training related focus session?

    Keep in mind that shorter training sessions can often result in a breakthrough for you and your horse. We often think that the longer the ride, the better. But fatigue plays a big role in both of your work.  So by keeping the session short and sweet, often you can achieve more. Especially when you’re consistent with them.  This applies to all 3 categories; fun, partnership, or training.

    Get the 50+ Inspiring Ideas to do with your horse when you find yourself with a small gap of time CLICK HERE

    1. Fun

    Fun is enjoying the moment. The process. It is usually not an ‘end goal’ or ‘endpoint’.  We rarely say “I am struggling on through the mud now because I will feel like it was fun when I’m finished”. Fun is the actual activity. And, fun is for both horse and rider.

    It is something that you can do together and that has the single goal of allowing you both to enjoy yourselves and each other’s company.

    And please don’t make the mistake of confusing things that you enjoy  as being fun for all involved! You horse must enjoy the activities as well. I’ve created a free list with some ‘fun’ activities you can enjoy with your horse in 15 minutes or less when you CLICK HERE. Download it and put it somewhere you can quickly access when the next 15 minutes or so of ‘free time’ pops up for you and your horse :)

    2. Partnership

    No matter how long you have been working with your horse, you can always deepen the trust in your relationship. Short, meaningful interactions can really help to improve this bond between you both. And, strengthening the partnership will also help to improve the training. It’s a win, win :)

    By focusing your 15 minutes or less on strengthening the partnership, you can build trust, reduce anxiety, and increase your horse’s willingness to cooperate – especially in those less than ideal moments you encounter later.

    Your horse is always responding to your body language, mood, and energy.  By intentionally showing up with ‘partnership building’ in mind, you can strengthen the emotional connection between you.  I’ve listed some partnership building activities you can do with your horse in 15 minutes or less in a free download CLICK HERE

    3. Training or Developing

    This is exactly what it sounds like; activities that will help you or your horse to improve mentally, physically, or emotionally. And when it comes to training, I am a big believer in keeping things simple. Simple exercises that focus on simple outcomes. Having a time restriction of 15 minutes or less makes this even easier to apply!

    Often, if you are not seeing progress (usually because Fun and Partnership are not included in the plan), it feels ‘right’ to instinctively jump to complicated where training is concerned. Choose simple exercises and rather work on them through the filter of what you want to achieve in your riding.

    I am going to urge you think simple when it comes to training when working with your horse for 15 minutes or less. 

    Get the 50+ Inspiring Ideas to do with your horse when you find yourself with a small gap of timeCLICK HERE

    More Opportunities – and Flexibility!

    When you are planning out the coming week with yoru horse, actively look for those 15 minute or less time ‘gaps’. Shorter time blocks are much easier to make happen, especially if you’ve a busy schedule. And then decide what approach would best help you and your horse make the most of that time together.

    Stop waiting for a large chunk of free time, which for so many riders are few and far between! Rather begin looking for those smaller pockets of time where you can do something valuable with your horse.

    Whether it’s practicing groundwork, working on specific exercises, or simply grooming, you’ll find that you have more opportunities to interact with your horse throughout the week. And because you’re intentional, they will act as stepping stones to your longer term vision.

    Get the 50+ Inspiring Ideas to do with your horse when you find yourself with a small gap of timeCLICK HERE

    Your 15 Minutes or Less List

    Having a list of potential activities is a great way to get started with making the most of those smaller pockets of time. I’ve created one for you that you can download HERE for free. My suggestion is to print it off and then add to it over the coming weeks and months.

    When you begin to see the benefits of intentionally connecting with your horse during those smaller 15 minutes or less time pockets, you will actively begin searching for them in your week!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More on This Topic:-

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Using Video as a Tool for Your Training

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://pdcn.co/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1345_Setting_Up_to_Record_Useful_Videos_of_Your_Riding.mp3″ title=”Using Video as a Tool for Your Training” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    If you are training your horse or riding alone, the ability to create videos of you and your horse working together is invaluable. However, any old videos won’t do.

    With a few small adjustments, the quality of the videos you capture can make your reviewing process a lot easier.

    Today I want to give you 5 simple and actionable tips to create better videos of your riding so that you can begin adding video reviews to your training process.

    Choose Your Camera & Software

    You don’t need a fancy camera to begin taking useful videos of your riding. For most riders, their smartphone will have a good enough camera to do the job. However, you can also use a traditional camera.  Once you’ve decided what camera to use, the next decision will be to have it stationary at one point in your arena… Or to invest in some form of motion-tracking software.

    While a stationary camera will do the job, having a camera track you as you move around the arena can be a game changer… It allows you to focus on your riding – rather than worrying if you’re in the shot or not!

    I suggest Pivo for the motion tracking software (*this is an affiliate link) and if you use coupon DailyStrides at checkout you’ll receive 10% off your purchase.

    Get Strategic with the Position of Your Camera

    I’m going to suggest placing the camera at a higher vantage point if possible than just resting on the ground. If using the stationary method, often a fencing post, mounting block or tripod will work well. This will allow you to capture a clear and wide-angled view of the arena.

    The goal is to ensure that your stationary camera covers the area where you’ll spend the majority of your time when working with your horse, and that allows you to capture different perspectives.

    If using some form of motion tracking software, I suggest placing the tripod close to the centre of the arena, X, but slightly off to one side so as not to block the centre line. I have noticed that if you ride too close to the camera when using the motion tracking software, it can lose you, so be aware of that when positioning your camera.

    Check Lighting and Weather Conditions

    Natural light is always best, so try to record during the day if possible. Obviously if you can’t, you will have to make do with floodlights. But just be aware that the shadows can often ‘hide’ certain things! The same goes for harsh shadows or riding towards direct sunlight…  Rain is a no-no for your equipment, so avoid trying to video then. Wind can also cause issues or be a little risky depending on what surrounds your riding space.

    Choosing a fair, calm, and dry day to video will allow you to not only get the best visual results, but also to capture the audio. And this can be helpful if you ‘talk’ to yourself on the video to point out certain things.

    Use Markers for Accuracy & Consistency

    I am a BIG fan of using markers when working with our horses. They truly help us be more accountable. The issue is that so many riders associate them with dressage. And they feel that because their goal is not dressage-related, markers are not for them… WRONG!

    You can place cones or home-made markers at key points around the arena. They can help you to be consistent with the size, shape, and quality of different movements.

    Setting up something to mark the centre line is also useful, especially when assessing straightness and transitions without any help from the boundaries.

    Test Your Equipment Before You Begin!

    Now this might sound like Captain Obvious. However, I know so many riders who thought that they captured a great training session on video. Only to find that either it wasn’t recording or that the area they were working was out of the shot!

    Do a short test video before you dive into the ‘real work’ to make sure that it captures what you’re looking for; specific angles or movements, etc.

    Have a Plan for Your Work!

    Don’t waste your time wandering aimlessly around the arena. To get the most out of this method, a plan is necessary. Think about a specific goal that you’re working towards, maybe smoother transitions, increased responsiveness, improving your posture or position, etc. This way you can review the video later just like a riding instructor would do if in the arena with you at the time.

    Make time to do your review within the follow 24 to 48 hours. This way the session will still be fresh and you can use this to gain more insight into how things played out.

    Capturing Useful Videos of Your Riding

    This week, make time to follow these steps and begin documenting your journey as a rider. Remember, this will work for riding, lunging, groundwork, and other types and methods to interact with your horse.

    The key is to be consistent about capturing the videos and then reviewing them.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Similar Episodes to Help with this Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Using Reviews to Transform Your Riding

    Using Reviews to Transform Your Riding

    Can you remember exactly how this date was last month for you and your horse? What about the month before? Didn’t think so… And yet, maybe you’re like so many other riders and have a complete aversion to writing things down! Why is that?!

    I know that I love writing down ‘things that have yet to happen’. You know, planning and creating ‘to-do’ lists. However, when it comes to taking the time to record what actually happened… Not so much! And this is less about being lazy and more about truly believing that I’ll remember it all! Honestly! I don’t and I bet you don’t either, right?! Especially once you get past the two or three week mark.

    Regularly reviewing your riding is one of the most powerful tools you have as a rider when it comes to getting feedback. Especially if you don’t have a regular trainer or coach to work with. 

    Making it More Enjoyable

    I speak a lot about taking the time to plan out your rides. I’ve been preaching this for years. However, your plans are only as good as the reviews that they are based on. The key is to begin creating a reviewing process that you look forward to. Each session is scheduled in and is an important appointment for you.

    You can start this process today by setting aside 30 to 45 minutes of your time this week to pencil in some ‘me-time’ and then thinking about how to make it special and enjoyable as well. 

    I began to enjoy my own reviewing sessions when I became intentional about the space, the beverage (Earl Grey tea), a snack or two (95% dark chocolate), and the knowledge that I wouldn’t be disturbed. By creating a ‘ritual’ that set the tone for the following 30 to 45 minutes, it helped me to make sure the reviews happened. And that the time spent was productive and helping move things forward.

    First Time Reviewing?

    So, let’s pretend that I do inspire you to take action today; where should you begin?  I think that being a little conservative here with regard to what you remember will help you in the long run.  And this is especially true if you’re a little like me and really do believe that you will remember all of the things! Don’t even try to do that.

    Start with reviewing the past two weeks. Write a report on each interaction you had with your horse during this timeframe and try to include as many details as possible. 

    Include details such as the time of day, how long you were with your horse, and what the warm-up consisted of. And the exercises or ‘work’ itself? You can include details about the weather, the other horses present when you were working, and anything you noticed about how you felt. And, of course, anything about how your horse felt as well.

    Reviews to Transform Your Riding & Your Planning

    Once you have your first review completed, you can then use this information to start planning your next two weeks with your horse. Rather than setting intentions that, based on your review, are clearly a little too overly ambitious, you can course correct.  There is something special when you begin to create plans that actually complement your existing lifestyle and abilities… Both you and your horse’s confidence will begin to grow.

    And 6 weeks from now, with even more feedback at the tips of your fingers, your planning will become even more focused – and realistic. A true roadmap for you and your horse. 

    I have a past episode that details the reviewing process I recommend HERE and I will link to some previous planning episodes underneath this article.

    Getting Help in Your Reviewing Process

    Every month I go live inside of Daily Strides Premium for a ‘Review & Planning Session’ with riders. If you would like more help in your riding, this may help you. All of the calls are recorded and will become available inside of the Members Area and on the Daily Strides Premium Private Podcast as well.

    Wherever you are in your riding journey, there’s no need to continue to struggle. Daily Strides Premium is created for riders working alone without a trainer or coach – and is simple to access & set up. 

    Creating a review process and then regularly implementing it is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself and your horse. It will allow you to see patterns and make adjustments. And this is essential if you want to grow and develop together.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Other Planning Episodes To Help You

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Is Your Horse ‘Herd Sour’ or ‘Buddy Bound’?

    Is Your Horse ‘Herd Sour’ or ‘Buddy Bound’?

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1328-Is_Your_Horse_Herd_Sour_or_Buddy_Bound.mp3″ title=”Is Your Horse Feeling Herd Sour or Buddy Bound?” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    Horses are herd animals by nature. They will always choose to be with ‘their herd’ when they feel uncomfortable or worried about something. And this can become a big problem for riders. This is partially due to training and development requiring both horse and rider to ‘get out of their comfort zone’. Your horse’s past training or experiences can also play a big role in how he responds or feels about leaving his ‘herd’…

    And whether you need to build your horse’s confidence in himself and you, or focus on retraining him regarding his expectations and yours, it will require time, patience, and consistency to overcome.

    And a ‘herd’ does not have to mean a whole field full of horses frolicking and running wild in open pastures. It can mean this, but it doesn’t have to! Your horse’s ‘herd’ can be him, his horse friend, and the donkey they share the field with. It can be the one horse he lives ‘beside’ most of the time, in the neighbouring stable or paddock. Or, your horse’s ‘herd’ can also be the two goats he lives with full-time in the small paddock.

    Horses, being social creatures, will ‘bond’ with whoever they spend most of their time with. And once your horse has bonded, it can become quite the performance when you try to separate him from his ‘herd’…

    What’s Triggering the ‘Herd Sour’ & ‘Buddy Bound’ Feelings?

    The first thing to do is to recognize when this is predominately happening. Is it the moment you take him out of the paddock and he realizes his ‘buddy’ is not joining him? Or is it when other horses are ridden away from him and he’s left alone on the trail or the track? It could be when he is asked to leave the other horses, such as going into an arena on his own while others stay at the stables or in the practice area.

    The clearer you can get on defining when exactly your horse begins to act up or become anxious, the more direct you can be in your approach to helping your horse overcome this.

    One of the most important things you can do for both of you is to identify potential triggers. This way you can plan ahead so that you are doing all you can to remain safe. And your horse is as supported or corrected at the times he needs this most. I say supported or corrected because, sometimes, this can develop when a horse realizes that if he ‘performs’ a little, he will be allowed to return home, no questions asked.

    As a rider, it’s your responsibility to figure out if your horse is truly worried and anxious, or if he has just found an easy way to get back to his friends and not have to ‘work’…

    Past Experience and Training

    Most of the things your horse does, or doesn’t do, are learned. The thing with being herd sour or buddy bound is that it can both be learned – and something can also be naturally instinctual for your horse. Both will require your time and attention to remedy. But, before you begin, consider your horse’s history and experiences up to this point…

    Many horses that are bred for a specific purpose will have similar experiences, like thoroughbreds that raced for example. Most are bred at stud farms where they spend their earlier years with other horses around the same age. As they move into pre-training, the same will apply. They often get ridden out together, turned out together, put on the walker or exerciser together, etc. And then, if they make it to an actual trainer, this becomes even more true. Their ‘job’ requires them to ‘keep up with the herd’…

    In these situations, slow and specific planned retraining needs to happen to help your horse understand the new expectations – and feel confident about meeting them.

    It can be a bit of a culture shock if they find themselves starting their 2nd career as a ‘pleasure horse’ and are suddenly expected to see their rider as their confidant..! The rider is the one they should trust and want to be with all of the time, right? Well, that is how the rider sees it – but more often than not, their horse does not agree!
    This is also true for horses who have had little to no handling either recently or ever! They must learn how to build a partnership with a human where they feel confident and happy – even in more tricky situations.

    Developing the Bond or Partnership

    A good solid relationship requires trust – and trust can take time to build. Trust is knowing what to expect and having that happen, again and again. Get clear on your expectations first. How are you expecting your horse to behave or respond? Once you’re clear on your expectations, the next responsibility is effectively and clearly communicating them to your horse.

    Keep in mind, that your horse also has certain expectations of his own behaviour and his responses as well. This is even before we consider what he expects from you!

    I think that groundwork is really essential here in this part of the training for you and your horse. But not just random ambling around the yard and grooming. Specific exercises that focus on specific outcomes for both of you. Later, when there is a stronger bond, I am all for ‘ambling’ together. But if your horse has been showing signs of being herd sour or buddy-bound, this might not be the safest way to connect initially.

    Start with grounding and really getting clear on your own actions and intentions. From here, begin to notice how your horse responds to you and your different aids.

    Curiosity is essential in all good relationships, so get curious about your horse! What does he understand? What is he unsure of. Which aids does he seem to prefer or work better with? And how can you use what he already knows, either learned or instinctual, to better explain different or new things to him?

    Who Do You Trust?

    Thinking that you can spend an hour a week ‘working on this’ and then revert back to your usual self the rest of the time won’t work! In fact, this way of showing up is not just unrealistic, it’s madness! Think about people you trust and feel confident to both be with and follow if necessary. I can bet that they all have a few traits in common. Things like being reliable, consistent, even-tempered, and available. They ‘show up’ in a certain way, even when it seems and feels like everything has the potential to go completely sideways!

    Think about how you can begin showing up for your horse as a partner he can trust and rely on, even when the situation becomes uncomfortable or downright scary.

    Part of being reliable and consistent is that even when things don’t go to plan, you remain steady. You remain aligned with your original intention and then focus on getting there. Rather than being drawn into the drama that your horse is either experiencing or creating. Your job is to remain focused, steady, consistent, and ready to lead you both where you want to go.

    Another thing about ‘trust’ and reliability is that you know where to stand. Solid boundaries are a must for good relationships. And like expectations, you need to know yours before you begin working with your horse.

    Plan Your Work and Your Progress

    So, once you have decided on what you’re happy with, what is a no-no, and also have gotten clear on the potentially ‘greyish’ areas, you can begin working with your horse. All of this will depend on your horse; is he being genuinely anxious about leaving his herd or buddy? Or is he potentially trying to use this as a way to cut the ride short and get home ASAP?

    The plan you create to work on his herd sour or buddy-bound behaviour will depend on his true feelings about it… And your commitment to showing up consistently.

    I would definitely suggest only working on one thing at a time. So, if he is reluctant to leave his friend behind in the paddock while you go on the trail, but you can tell it’s more of a tantrum than anxiety, push on! And if you can’t or don’t feel confident enough to ‘push on’, ask someone to ride him who will do that.

    Very often in this scenario, two or three days of being sent forward and not getting his own way are enough to nip this in the bud and turn a new leaf. And it will require some serious commitment and reinforcement of your boundaries.

    On the other hand, if he is genuinely anxious and worried about being away from his friends, slow and steady work usually gets the best results.

    The key here is to focus on becoming someone he initially enjoys being with for short periods… And later feels confident being around for longer periods. In my experience, these types of horses, when they meet the right person who is all of the things mentioned above, become true partners. They really do give 100% of themselves in the relationship and are a pleasure to work with. But it does often take that initial commitment of time, and the intentional ‘showing up’ for them.

    Choose Your Riding Partners Carefully

    The final piece of advice I have for this situation is to choose your company wisely. Initially, whether your horse is throwing a tantrum or filled with anxiety, often the support of another horse and rider combination can help. Especially if they are the model of calm, cool, and confident.

    Horses learn from the horses around them, so choose wisely who you spend your riding time with.

    In my experience, especially with OTTBs who are herd bound, we spend a lot of time in the arena initially. We will pair the horse up with another 1 or 2 horses and let them walk together around the arena at first. Then, slowly, we will begin to put a little space between them. But always making sure to come back ‘together’ after 20 or 30 seconds. Then we stretch that time. And we work it both ways; the anxious horse is either held back from the others or vice versa.

    Over time – and sometimes this can be done in a single session, but usually a little longer – we are trotting and canter past the original horse with the others while he stays in a walk. Obviously the other horses and riders are carefully choosen to make this as much of a ‘non-event’ as possible.

    The key is to help your horse move away from the others without fussing. And once he is happy and relaxed riding ‘alone’ in the arena, we take it out to the trails or fields.

    Herd Bound to Rider Happy

    The important thing is to keep the end in mind and to keep yourself safe as you work through this with your horse. If you feel yourself becoming frustrated or angry, remind yourself that he has either been thought to do this or been allowed. And sometimes old habits, or ways of thinking, die hard!

    Don’t ask for too much too soon, hold your boundaries, be clear with your expectations, and remain calm, consistent, and steady in your approach. Be the leader your horse is asking you to be!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More Help for Riders:-

    Equestrian Fitness Challenge ’24

    Work on improving your overall strength, fitness, and stamina as a rider. The all-new and free 2024 Equestrian Fitness Challenge is a great place for you to do this.  It is walking and yoga-based (no workouts), so it will ease you into becoming a better version of yourself in the saddle gently. You can sign up HERE or by visiting https://equestrianfitnesschallenge.com/24 
    There will be a daily walk, a 10 minute daily yoga practice, and lots of tips, ideas, exercises, and ways to improve so that you can show up as the best version of you – for you and your horse.
    Sign up today and let’s transform your riding – one stride at a time! 100% FREE 2024 Equestrian Fitness Challenge

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • 5 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Riding Today

    5 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Riding Today

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1310_5_Simple_Ways_To_Upgrade_Your_Riding_Today.mp3″ title=”5 Simple Things to Upgrade Your Riding Today” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    What if things could be more simple for you to upgrade your riding?  So, instead of practicing for hours and hours in the saddle, you could begin doing more simple things that would have an enormous ripple effect.  Quick and easy things, so that you are not left feeling overwhelmed…

    All of these easy-to-implement tips can be done while you are busy with your existing ‘riding routine’… All it will take is some intention and self-awareness from you

    And while, in the long run, good correct practice coupled with sufficient knowledge and physical ability is what will really see you make progress in your riding, these 5 simple to do ‘add ons’ will actually help you to get there faster. And begin shifting your mindset as well.  A very important requirement as a rider.

     1. Quick Massage into Your Grooming

    What would happen if you learned a few simple techniques that helped your horse to loosen up before each work session?  Probably, over time, an increase in the quality of the work begin done, that’s what!  And yes, it’s important to consider that you are not a qualified horse ‘body work’ expert.

    There are some great accounts on social media you can follow where experts will show you simple exercises you can do with your horse for specific benefits (or to address specific challenges)

    Does this replace having a professional visit your horse regularly?  No, of course not! But it will help you to become more knowledgeable about your horse’s body and how it works.  It can possibly have some loosening or therapeutic benefits to your horse. And it’s a great way to bond and develop your partnership more :)

    2, Visualise While Tacking Up

    After grooming, we will naturally progress to actually getting ready to work.  Whether you are preparing to lunge, ride, or do some groundwork, there will be some sort of equipment (or boots/bandages, etc.) that you will put on your horse.

    Use this time to get really clear on what you want the outcome of this training session to be for both of you…  Think, step by step, about what you are going to work on; and how the desired outcome will look and feel

    Having this clarity BEFORE you get into the arena or begin working will help to keep you focused and on track.  And it will help you to recognize when you are both moving in the right direction, or course correct when you’re not!

    3. Stretches Before Mounting Up

    And I am referring to you and moving your body with these stretches! Now, you can decide whether to do these all at once (3 or 4 minutes) before mounting up.  Or to work these in through both the grooming and tacking up. So maybe two or three stretches between each type of brush, or between each hoof…

    What is important is that you have identified where you may be a little ‘tight’ through. your body, and then find simple stretches you can perform to loosen these specific areas out for you 

    If you can already show up to the training session a little more supple and ‘loosey goosey’ it will allow you to focus more on helping your horse to do the same.  It also, when riding, allows you to begin to move more with your horse, rather than against. Long story short, it will improve the quality of your warm-up.

    4. Highlights Reel during the Cool Down

    So after you have actually worked your horse (quality over quantity – always), rather than just zoning out during the cool down, you can use this time to begin putting your thoughts together regarding how things actually went for you both.  If you used your ‘tacking up time’ to visualise or imagine what you wanted for the ride, it makes this even easier.

    Ask yourself some strategic questions; did we achieve our overall goal for this session? How ‘on track’ did we remain? What worked well? And what needs attention (or is missing something)?

    Doing this when it’s still fresh in your head, as in it only just happened, means it’s more honest and true.  Sometimes we can allow the whole ride to be defined by a couple of seconds and one single event.  However, regardless of if the ride was ‘a win’ or a ‘try again tomorrow’, when you take the time to really dig in, piece by piece, you will find so much more there that you can learn from.

    5. Writing it All Down in Your Riding Journal

    Finally, as soon as you have taken care of your horse, that will depend on your unique circumstances, sit down on a bale or a blanket and quickly capture the ride in your riding journal. If you truly want to upgrade your riding, this is essential for you to do on a regular basis.

    A riding journal creates a personal feedback loop for you in your riding – especially important if you are working alone a lot of the time. Over time you will begin to see patterns – these are gold!

    However, in my experience, it is the one thing that most riders are NOT willing to do in their riding! So, if you’re not doing this… WHY?! It literally takes 4 to 5 minutes.  And it is a gold mine when it comes to identifying what’s working, what needs changing, what needs to be done, what needs to stop, and everything in between for you and your horse.

    Upgrade Your Riding Today

    Okay, I personally think that all of these items are ‘doable’ for you and your horse, starting today. They are simple, easy to achieve, and require little to no extra effort on your part.  They also require little to no extra time, if time is an issue for you and your horse.

    I would love to hear how you get on with this, make sure you join the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community over HERE and let me know which one you’re going to do.  Or, if you’re going all in on all 5 of them for you and your horse!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Get Going in Your Riding:-

    Daily Strides Premium is back! The first and original audio horse riding lessons you can use to improve your riding, train your horse, keep things interesting, have fun… Even if you don’t have a trainer or coach

    Connect with Lorna online:-