Strides for Success

Tag: riding more

  • What is Stopping You From Riding More? Part 2

    What is Stopping You From Riding More? Part 2

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    So many riders ‘say’ they want to ride more.  But making it happen is an entirely different matter altogether.  Identifying why you are not riding more is key to overcoming this.  And by ‘identifying’ I mean going deeper than those initial reasons or excuses that simply scratch the surface.
    This is Part 2 of exploring this topic for you and your riding. If you have not already, make sure you go back HERE and listen to Part 1, which is focused more on external factors.  In today’s episode, we will dive into more specific internal factors that may be causing you to complain that you’re just not riding anymore…

     1. Wrong Horse & Rider Combination

    This can be a tough one to admit to.  And then, once you have admitted it, taking action can feel mentally and emotionally uncomfortable for many riders. I think we often become conditioned to believe that if we create a partnership with a specific horse, that partnership must last forever.  We have all come across the term ‘forever horse’.
    However, if we think about relationships, partnerships, and friendships that we have with other people in our lives, we will see that only the rare few will truly last a lifetime. The majority will work for a period of time until either one of the people or the circumstance changes.  And we are, for the most part, okay with that happening.
    Often intentionally allowing a particular relationship to change and breakdown is a good thing as it creates space for someone new and more aligned with present-day you to enter the picture.
    If you have become aware of a lack of alignment between yourself and your horse, and it’s begun to prevent you from getting into the saddle and riding, maybe it’s time to reassess the partnership.
    This does not have to always mean ‘selling’ your horse. However, by acknowledging this and then actively looking for more suitable partners for both of you, things can begin to move forward for both of you again. Both in the training and simply riding as well.

     2. Lack of Confidence

    When new riders join the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community, I ask them a few simple questions – just so that I can get the lay of the land and where they are at in their riding. One of the questions is about naming the biggest challenge currently in their riding.  Hands down, ‘lack of confidence’ is the biggest issue.  And while I sometimes feel that this is more of a symptom pointing to the above point, about ‘wrong horse and rider combination’.  I also see that it can also have its roots elsewhere…
    In the previous episode, Why Are You Not Riding – Part 1, I touched on facilities often being a factor.  I mentioned the challenge of having arenas that are too large or too small.  And if your horse is at a boarding yard or barn, often the majority of riders who will be at the farm will suit the arena.
    When we are talking about the arenas being too large and open for you to feel confident and safe, the constant presence of riders who are further along in their riding journey can begin to erode your confidence.
    Acknowledging that you are struggling with confidence is a key step.  From there, begin looking at how you can better support yourself and your horse to overcome this and move forward in your riding.

     3. Boredom or Repetative

    This is the reason I initially started Strides for Success and, specifically, Daily Strides Premium.  I was seeing and hearing from riders who simply had no idea how to keep things interesting day in and day out with their horses. Having a coach or trainer in the arena working with you will 100% keep things interesting.  However, the vast majority of riders do not have access to this – and especially every single time they mount up!
       Which opens the door to a whole host of other challenges and problems down the road!
    This is where planning becomes so essential in your day-to-day riding.  When you have a goal that inspires you and you then take the time to step it out, ride by ride, it will help to keep you both motivated and inspired.  And you and your horse will learn things along the way as well. If this is something you’re struggling with, make sure you check out Daily Strides Premium.

     4. Lack of Progress – Hit a Plateau

    There is always this wonderful sense of achievement when you reach a point in your riding that you have been working towards for some time.  Maybe it’s clean canter transitions.  Or riding for 5km on the trail without anyone else accompanying you.  However, once you and your horse settle into this ‘new normal’, the novelty will soon begin to wear off… And, again, boredom can set in!
    Plateaus in your progress and training are great in the short term.  It allows you both to rest a little, regroup, and ‘calibrate’ the new training or achievement into the rest of your skills and communication.
    The problems start when you become a little too comfortable and stay there, on the plateau, for too long… And, for the most part, this is because you are not willing to change, let go of, or begin something different or new. 
    In order for you to begin ‘climbing’ again, you will have to choose something to work on and change. And accept that as you are working on this, the ‘climb’ will often be uncomfortable.  But you can rest again when you reach the new plateau…

     5. Nothing to Work Towards

    This leads me to the final reason I think riders are not riding when they say that they want to.  They have absolutely nothing to work towards! If you have found yourself thinking “I don’t know what to do”, or “It all feels the same, every ride”, of course you are not going to bother pushing on through and getting out there into the saddle.  Why would you?! There is nothing at all to motivate or inspire you.
    I think riders can often fall into the trap of thinking that goals or outcomes in riding must be competition-related.  And, maybe not having any desire to compete, they then feel a little flat when it comes to actually creating a goal for their riding…
    Goals can be so, so much more.  They can have to do with building and developing trust.  Riding with friends.  Going on holidays with your horse to participate in riding trails, attending a clinic, or taking part in a riding workshop. A goal can be groundwork-related or lunging-related.  It can also be long-line related.
    The sky is the limit when it comes to finding something that you and your horse can get excited about and then begin to work towards.
    If you need help making riding a reoccurring activity in your life again, make sure you check out Returning to Riding; a way that we can work together to get you back in the saddle and back on track to enjoy horse riding again.
    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:-

  • What is Stopping You From Riding More? Part 1

    What is Stopping You From Riding More? Part 1

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    Now, if you answer this with ‘because we’re up to our eyeballs in snow’… Okay, fair enough! However, if you answer this with ‘I don’t know’ or an answer that you, yourself, can quickly tear apart…  This is for you!
    So many riders ‘say’ that they want to ride more.  But the difference between the saying and the doing can be a big one.  Which, when you think about how much enjoyment and connection we get from being with our horses, is a terrible pity.
    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, we’ll delve into five of the more common obstacles that can prevent more time in the saddle, and chat about how you can overcome them.  Whether it’s time management, inadequate facilities, or the pressure to please others, identifying the specific challenge you are facing is the first step toward a schedule that includes more riding time.

     1. Time Habits

    Notice that I did not say ‘a lack of time’. This was intentional.  You see, I think that most riders actually do have the time, but it’s how they are spending their time that causes there to be ‘lack’ when it comes to the ‘time for riding kitty’.  For me, I often find myself doing things that I actually no longer need to or want to spend time doing.  I do them out of habit.  And while, at some point, they definitely were necessary or needed to be done; now… Nope!
    Have an honest look at your time habits (I have a free workbook  HEREthat you can download to help you) and see where you can potentially reallocate more time to riding. 
    I also think that becoming really clear on your priorities will also help here. Are you devoting time to the things you say are your priorities? A quick review of the past week in your life, and your list of top priorities should clear this up for you and your horse.

     2. Lack of Facilities

    Not having the facilities to ride can also be caused by our habits.  Now, I realize that this might sound a little odd initially, but bear with me.  Just like our time, we can fall into these habits around specific areas and places. Maybe it’s a certain barn or stables.  Or a group of riders. Whatever the attraction initially was, the truth is that we become ‘comfortable’ there.  EVEN when that place, group, or facility is no longer serving us!

    In fact, just the thought of moving or going somewhere different can fee REALLY uncomfortable, and so we tend to ‘settle’. This is true when it comes to both riding facilites, but can also apply to resources.

    So, for example, if lack of time is really an issue, maybe you need to consider moving to a facility where your horse can be closer to the barn or stables. Or where there is someone there to actually bring your horse in and tack him up for you… And I get it that, as riders, we want to do it all ourselves.  But if this is stopping you from riding, it makes sense to begin exploring becoming a little uncomfortable, and making a change to support you now.

     3. Facilities that Don’t Support You

    You will outgrow things.  It is inevitable.  The trouble comes if you, intentionally or not, remain tied to a barn, yard, or farm that no longer supports you and your horse in your journey together. Usually, this is where the yard was great initially. It had the right-sized arenas, or suitable trails to help you and your horse on the specific part of the journey…  But now, you have both changed.  Maybe you need a bigger ring or arena.  More jumps or poles.  An actual stable.
    There are so many things that change over the course of time with your riding and your training; it makes sense that the facilities you need will also have to change and evolve to continue to support you both going forward.
    And this can also work the opposite way.  Having access to only huge open riding areas if you are feeling less than confident can also put a pause on your riding.  Make sure that the facilities you do have access to are truly supporting you and your horse where you are right now in your riding journey.

     4. Not Enough Prep Being Done

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; to make consistent progress in your riding, you MUST have a strategic plan that you are taking consistent action on in your riding and training.  Riding for the sake of riding just will not work in the long run.
    Yes, you may have clocked 4 rides this week, each 35 minutes long.  But what did you actually do to move your partnership, or your training forward?  If the answer is ‘I don’t know’, or ‘nothing’, then this is where you need to begin developing your skills as a trainer for your horse!
    Planning out your rides will require you to have something to actually work towards (more on that in the next episode, Why Aren’t You Riding More Part 2). And then being able to work backward, ride by ride, to fill in the missing gaps between there and here. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed by this, start with just having a basic intention…
    Remind yourself of that intention throughout your ride and bring your focus back when you notice that it has wandered. This is one of the most simple ways to begin measuring the quality of each ride, versus the quantity.

     5. People Pleasing

    This one might seem a little odd initially, however, it is a very real block for many riders. I hear from so many riders about the challenge of avoiding the ‘Chatty Cathys’ at the barn or the yard!  You know the person (or people) who seem to always corner you into a fairly mundane chat – and 30 minutes later you’re still stuck there!
    If you only have a set amount of time to do all of the things that you want to do with your horse, this is something you will have to become a little more strict on!
    My advice is to greet and be lovely to the people. Then simply say something along the lines of ‘I’m going to have to keep moving if I’m to get through everything I have planned for today. You’re more than welcome to walk and talk with me’… Most people won’t!  They will go find someone else to chat to.  But this way, you have given them the option, and you will also get your tasks for the day done as well.
    Another way people pleasing can become a block when it comes to riding is to do with the V.I.P.s in your life.  Especially if horses and ridign is not a huge priority for them! And balancing this can be tricky. 
    In my experience, the best way to navigate this is to have an open, honest, and friendly conversation.  Explain that, ideally, you would like to spend X amount of the days or hours at the stables each week.  Then also create days and hours during the week that you are committed to them.  The key word there is ‘committed’.  I
    If you show up and be present with them when you say you will, it usually results in them becoming more supportive of you and your riding.
    If you need help making riding a reoccurring activity in your life again, make sure you check out Returning to Riding; a way that we can work together to get you back in the saddle and back on track to enjoy horse riding again.
    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:-