Strides for Success

Tag: riding alone

  • How Many Days per Week Should I Work My Horse?

    How Many Days per Week Should I Work My Horse?

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    Is there a golden rule about how often a horse should be worked? I’m not so sure.  However, when I have riders ask me how many days they should ride, I usually have a pretty standard answer… “It depends”. And that is what I want to dive into today.
    Helping you to figure out how many days to ride your horse each week.

    “Your Schedule”

    So let’s begin this conversation where you are at right now.  How many days could you realistically ride your horse each week? You see, this is a really important question… Because, and this is me being really honest now, many riders will pick a number that actually doesn’t really reflect their current schedule!  Nope, they rather pick what they would like it to be.  I don’t think this is helpful.
    I think being realistic about your time, your values, your responsibilities, and your energy levels will help in the long run.
    If you begin feeling that horse riding is causing a lot of tension in an already packed schedule, you will be more inclined to ‘drop it’. Make sure that you are honest with what you can do, and then go from there.

    “Your Horse”

    The next piece of the puzzle to consider is your horse.  Some horses honestly require more repetition and consistency than others.  If you miss 6 days, what happens? Will you have to go back 2 weeks in your training to get back to where you were before the break?  Or can you simply carry on from where you left off?
    I also think factors such as your horse’s age, breed or physical type, condition, previous training, and personality all play a role when deciding.  Include them all in your decision and go from there.

    “Your Riding Level”

    Now, just like your horse, you are unique as a rider. Do you require 3 days to recover from a particularly ‘taxing’ ride? Or do you thrive on consistently repeating new things until they ‘stick’?  Also, how fit are you?  If you are trying to increase your riding fitness, it makes sense to ride more frequently if possible.  However, maybe shorter sessions with more focus will be a key part of your training schedule.
    Lack of fitness really impacts the coordination and clarity of your aids in the saddle. So it makes sense to increase your riding fitness as quickly as possible initially.

    “Your Goals”

    Finally, what are your goals with your horse and your riding?  If you are working towards something specific (a 15km trail ride, or jumping a 1m track of jumps) this will definitely help you to decide on what is necessary to be ready for that.  However, often riders are simply riding to develop their skills and deepen their bond with their horse.
    Whatever your goals are, it makes logical sense that ‘more riding time’ will help you get there more quickly. So it is always something to consider.

    4 is More Than 3

    My final suggestion here is the whole ‘4 is greater than 3’ idea.  If you can make it to your horse 4 days a week, you are winning.  This means 16 days a month (which is more than half). And I feel that this is a realistic number of rides to begin seeing progress.
    And if you find yourself with a week or two where you only make it for 3 or 2 days, that’s okay.  Accept it for what it is and then move on. 
    Try to get back into a more consistent routine as quickly as you can.  Things happen… What’s important is that you are doing your best to get quality time with your horse and in the saddle.
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Seeking Founding Riders…

    If you are considering training your horse at home or alone (boarding at a barn, but don’t have a regular coach or trainer), make sure you check out the details of my upcoming brand-new program.

    I’m looking for a limited number of riders to work in-depth with me and my team as we go through this program for the first time.  Get on the waitlist to be the first to find out all of the information… We start in early September. Get All the Details HERE (no obligation to join the program, just be the first to know all of the details :) )

    More Training On This:-

  • How Well Must I Ride to Train My Horse?

    How Well Must I Ride to Train My Horse?

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/dailystridespodcast/1211_How_Well_Must_I_Ride_To_Train_My_Horse.mp3″ title=”How Well Must I Ride to Train My Horse?” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Do you ride well enough to train your own horse? Here’s how to find out…” hashtag=”equestrianpodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    It’s a big question, and it’s a question that so many riders wonder about.  “Can I train my horse, alone?”.  For many riders, they will answer this question with another one; “An I a ‘good enough’ rider?”.   There are millions of riders all over the world, all with different combinations of skills and talents; being a ‘good’ rider is relative!

    However, if you want to begin truly working with and training your horse, I feel that there are a few simple questions that you can ask yourself to see if you are truly ready or not.

    How Much Do You Know?

    I have already said that ‘good’ is relative, but so too is training.  I love the idea that it doesn’t take a black belt to train a white belt in karate.  Meaning you don’t have to be a complete expert or master at something in order to teach someone who knows very little to nothing about that thing. “So I can train my horse then?”. Well, that depends…

    What is important is that you know more than your horse on the topic you want to improve.

    Let’s focus for a moment on rhythm.  If you begin working on improving your horse’s natural rhythm, it stands to reason that you at least have a good understanding of what that improvement would look like.   An even better situation would be to have achieved this previously with another horse.  However, depending on each unique situation, I don’t always feel this is essential. What is key is your understanding of the movement, principle, or topic.

    Hoping to train a horse on a topic that you have little knowledge, understanding, experience, or training on yourself is simply wishful thinking

    Having spent a number of years riding alone in an open field, I can definitely say that having resources is important.  Now, I am not saying that you need a perfectly manicured arena to make progress with your horse.  But there are certain things that, if you have them, will definitely make the training journey a more smooth one!

    Do You Have the Resources?

    Time is the number one resource you will need if you are going to ever hope to correctly improve your horse’s way of going.

    Lack of time is why most riders never really get going when they are working with their horse.  They will go ‘hell for leather’ for a week, maybe two.  And then, something happens and all horse-related activities are put on pause for another week or two.  This stop and start method will only serve to ensure that you keep reliving the same few weeks, over and over.  With little to no visible progress.

    Taking a break, intentional or otherwise, every now and again is not bad; in fact, sometimes it can be really helpful.  However constant stopping and starting with your training program is a recipe to remain stuck. 

    “I have the time, does this mean I can train my horse?”.  Again, it depends…!  Another important resource to take stock of is your riding area, especially if your climate is less than favorable a lot of the time.  Muddy, slippery, or baked hard footing is neither good for the horse or the rider (we tend to fall every now and again!).  If you are really serious about training your horse, make sure that you have somewhere to work, especially when the weather becomes a little otherwise!

    Remember to take stock and connect with the people in your life who can help you achieve your goals. 

    From a trainer for occasional advice, to an online course and community, to a babysitter or driver for children. You will need support if you are to successfully train your horse over the long term. Finally, resources can also include different tack and equipment, floodlights, poles and uprights, a lunging arena, suitable trails and hacking areas, and so much more.

    Are You Consistent with Consistency?

    At this point, many riders get a little excited!  “Yes, I have all of the above, so I must be ready to train my horse”… Well, not quite!  When training your horse, you will have to do different things in order to achieve different results.  Repeating the same thing over and over again will not take your horse from here to there (wherever you’ve decided there is).

    As a trainer, it is your responsibility to make strategic changes to what you are doing, and remaining consistent with those changes in order to track the result or outcome. 

    One of the biggest mistakes I used to make when riding in the fields when younger was trying things once. You see, I was usually open to giving things a go.  However, if I didn’t see immediate success, I was also quick to drop said thing and either revert to the old way or try something totally new again. Not the approach to take if you want to see success!

    Be willing to find out what you think may be the next thing to try, change, introduce to your horse’s training. Then track how your horse responds to this over a period of time.

    Being consistent means that you are intentional about every aspect of your approach to training.  From your schedule to the way you communicate, to your aids, to your rewards, to your corrections, and your attitude in general.

    How Supple Are You?

    “Okay, this has nothing to do with how I train my horse, surly?”  Oh, but it does!  You see, it’s easy to think of suppleness as just being something for your horse.  Ride a few bends and circles every now and then, and Bob’s your uncle, Sally’s your aunt!   However, I believe that suppleness is just as important for riders; and it’s not just about your physical aids.  It also concerns your emotional and mental development as a rider.

    I see many riders, who ride pretty well, become mentally ‘stuck’ on something in their horse’s training

    Usually, it is something they don’t want or desire.  And whatever the thing is, they fixate on it.  They have this all-or-nothing approach to it, and this means they cannot see past it.  For example, the horse that throws a buck in the first 10 or so strides of canter. An independent rider doesn’t even notice the buck; they are busy assessing the quality of the transition, and the quality of the canter they find themselves in.  The buck is just a distraction that they easily ignore.  And this generally means it will soon go away!

    The unsupple rider rides the transition into the canter, and the canter itself completely waiting for the buck.  Their only focus is what they ‘know’ is coming.  And, inevitably, it does!

    Training your horse will require you to look past any distractions that show up. It will require you to remain focused on the desired outcome, and to try keep your horses focus there as well. 

    How Independent Are You?

    Finally, if you have checked all of the above boxes, the last question I would ask in this situation is regarding my level of independence.  This is for both in the saddle and out of the saddle.  If you struggle to stay on in the trot, you need to be honest with yourself in that you are not the person to improve your horse’s trot!  Similarly, if you are struggling to stay on board in canter, or over a jump, you’re not the person to help your horse with these things!

    I suggest assessing your independence by asking yourself “Am I responsible for my own balance and support? Or am I using my horse to support and balance me?”

    “Oh, so I probably can’t train my horse then…”  Not exactly, I am a great believer that if there is a will, there’s a way…  If the answer to the previous question was the latter, I suggest getting help in developing more support and independence first; and probably on a different, more experienced, or schooled horse).  However, keep in mind that there are lots of ways you can begin to train and school your horse that don’t require you to be the world’s greatest rider.

    Lunging and groundwork do not require skill in the saddle, and, if done right, they both help to develop your skills as a rider – and your horse’s skills as a riding horse. 

    “Okay, so I can use lunging to train my horse! This is great, except I don’t know how to get started…”. I’ve got you covered; I have a free guided audio training ‘3 Days to Successful Lunging’ that you can get HERE
    .

    Confidence is Key…

    For many riders, training their own horse is essential due to a lack of resources.  There are no trainers close by, not enough of a budget to afford a trainer, or a lack of time to commit to a trainer.  If you find yourself in this situation, notice how the thoughts of training your own horse make you feel…

    Often we talk ourselves out of training our own horses because it will require us to do something we have never done before – and that is uncomfortable!

    If you are feeling uncomfortable about training your horse, yet you have ‘ticked all the boxes’ with the questions above, you’re probably ready!  It is simply the fear of failing that is holding you back.

    Growth requires us to get uncomfortable.  And as adults, because many of us are out of the habit of learning new things – and failing the first 10 or 20 times, training your horse can feel really uncomfortable!

    Start with what you know.  Go deep in your knowledge and understanding of something.  Think about the best way to explain this to your horse.  And then go do it. Remember to be intentional about changes, actions, aids, etc. Record it all… And see where the journey takes you

    So, to answer the question “Can I train my horse?”… The answer is clearly that it depends on a couple of different things, but if you are keen, there are lots of resources listed below to help.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Resources on This Topic:-

  • Building Confidence in Yourself as an Equestrian

    Building Confidence in Yourself as an Equestrian

    Confidence in Yourself as an Equestrian
    Confidence is trusting yourself and your abilities to handle the situation you find yourself in. Right now, we are all finding ourselves in a situation that we have never before found ourselves in.   The COVID-19  outbreak has changed the landscape for most equestrians.
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    Many riders are no longer able to ride.  Many riders are having to go it alone.  Some for the first time.  All of this is leading to a lot of riders experiencing a crisis of confidence.
    However, you can do this.  With a few simple ‘step by step’ actions, you can come through this, especially if you are lacking confidence in your abilities to navigate this alone. 

    1. Keep Moving Forward

    One of the biggest concerns many riders are experiencing right now is the thought that they might ‘mess things up’ with their horse.  “If I’m not doing things perfectly, my horse’s training will deteriorate”.  Let’s be honest.  This is a possibility.  Especially if you have been relying heavily on your trainer for support and your confidence is tied to them being present with you in the arena.
    However, keep in mind that horses are resilient.  They bounce back.  Re-schooling can happen if necessary down the line.  
    The very fact that you are worried about ‘ruining’ your horse tells me that you probably won’t.  Because you are conscientious and responsible.  So go and play a little now.  Don’t allow these thoughts to prevent you from taking action.

    1. Identify What You Are Afraid of Happening

    Most people I know, with the exception of my husband, tend to jump straight to what ‘might’ happen.  The might is rarely good.  These past few weeks, I have seen so many riders do the same thing.  “I might fall off”.  “What if I damage my horse’s legs / back / mouth?”.  “I just don’t know what to do, and I’m worried I do the wrong thing”.
    All valid worries.  However, all are more ‘worst-case scenarios’.  Yes, these things ‘might’ happen.  However, they are all things that you can actively work towards preventing them happening as well.
    If you can get clear on the ‘thing’ that is actually holding you back, you can begin identifying ways you can lessen the risk of that thing happening. 

    3. Now Name the ‘Easy’ for You in the Saddle

    Start where you feel confident and happy.  For some riders, this might be simply tacking up.  It could be working on walk in a small arena.  Maybe transitions in and out of the canter.
    Remind yourself that you can do things!  Then make a point of doing those things. 
    Allow the areas of your riding that you feel comfortable and happy with to guide you in moving forward. Be intentional about them and use them as a way to begin allowing confidence to be the dominant feeling in every ride.
    I then suggest saying there for as long as you need to shift your mindset to one where you ‘can’ do things…

    3. Begin Blending the Hard with the Easy

    Once you are feeling comfortable and confident, you can begin revisiting ‘hard’ again.  But this time you are doing so with intention.  The intention is what will make all the difference for you at this point.
    Consciously begin trying the ‘hard things’.  Make a decision to begin including them in your riding. Sprinkle them throughout your ride.
    What is key here is that you are intentional about visiting these areas.  Staying for a short period.  Noticing the feelings.  Then being just as intentional about moving back to where you feel more comfortable.
    Over time, your comfort zone will expand to include the things that you feel are ‘hard’ right now.

    4. Find What is Truly Fun

    The treadmill that you were on regarding your riding has stopped.  You need to consciously make the decision to step off of it!
    This may have been a lesson program or coaching program.  It could have been a competitive schedule or training program.  Maybe your current barn or the people you ride with.
    Recognizing that you now have time to assess and evaluate what you truly enjoy in your riding is the key to putting a silver lining on the current global pandemic for you and your horse.
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Resources to Help You:-

  • 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.

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/936-Riding-Alone-How-to-Keep-Moving-Forward.mp3″ title=”Riding Alone; How to Keep Moving Forward” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    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

  • Putting Your Riding Under The Spotlight

    Putting Your Riding Under The Spotlight

    ]Scroll down this article to find the guided audio lesson plan that I have created and suggest you use to get you started with this process]

    There are a few disadvantages to riding alone.  One of the biggest is the fact that while you may think and feel like you are doing everything correctly, there is a good chance that in actual fact you’re not!   This is why so many arenas have mirrors around them.  And while many riding centers and equestrian facilities install the mirrors for this exact reason; it can be a pricey solution!

    Today, I present you with a much easier, cheaper solution that you can use whenever you like. A tool that, in the long run, can become invaluable to your riding progress and success.  And, which you can use to help to motivate you when things are going less than well…

    Using Video to Improve Your Riding

    Camera-ready?  Today I want you to video yourself riding your horse while listening to today’s lesson.  This week’s lesson is a basic flatwork plan which you can listen to while you record yourself riding.

    I suggest that the camera is placed where the letter A is situated in the arena (in the center of one of the short sides of your arena).   The lesson plan we use will capture you doing basic movements, from all angles, which gives you a great overall picture of the present skill level you are at.

    How Video Will Help Your Riding

    A quick word for reference here, I have updated this particular blog post in October 2021.  I have testimonials and references from hundreds of riders around the world who have used this process and are seeing the results. 

        1. As you replay the video, play the audio as well to see how you react when different movements are asked
        2. Use this to see first hand if you are perhaps stronger on one side or the other
        3. Creating a permanent record of your progress which you can then compare with newer videos.  This is best applied using the same audio lesson to see how you are improving, or where progress is perhaps slightly stalled, which lets you know what needs more work.

    Things to Keep in Mind

    Just a few pointers to help you to make the most of this exercise in your riding:-

        1. Remember that this video is for your benefit, and you alone…  If you are worried about what others will think, choose a time to ride alone
        2. The time of day and subsequent daylight may result in different conditions on the video.  Remember to account for shadows, dullness, etc. in your review.
        3. The time of day is also just one of the things I encourage you to take note of HERE.  All of these things (and more) will also play a part in this working for you or not

    Another thing to keep in mind with regards to this consistency.  By riding the same movements in the video, week after week or month after month, you get a really clear picture as to what aspects of your riding you need to focus on during your schooling.

    This way you can use your practice sessions in the arena to truly move your riding forward.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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