Strides for Success

Tag: Riding plan

  • A 10-Minute Riding Plan to Keep You Riding When Life Gets Busy

    A 10-Minute Riding Plan to Keep You Riding When Life Gets Busy

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    Feeling stretched thin this month? You’re not alone…  There are always times and seasons of our lives that make us feel like we’re being pulled in a million different directions! Family, kids, work, weather, holidays… And before you know it, your riding time is sliding right down your priorities list! It feels frustrating because you want to ride… But you just can’t seem to find the space for a “proper” training session.

    But what if it’s just your mindset that needs a tweaking, so that you begin to see the power in shorter, more intentional work with your horse? 10 minutes instead of 45… 

    This episode is all about giving you a simple, powerful riding plan you can use whenever you find yourself with too much to do and not enough time! It will help you to keep momentum, stay consistent, and actually feel like you’re still achieving things with your riding and your training.

    Find a Smaller Space

    Okay, before we go any further with the plan, I do think that there are 2 things you can do to set you up for success. The first one is to commit to a smaller space to work in. If you have only 10 minutes, a full-sized arena is too big!  You’ll end up wandering around, becoming distracted, and not get half as much done as you wanted in your small, dedicated chunk of time.

    When you ride in a smaller, enclosed space it creates focus, reduces overwhelm, keeps both of you mentally engaged, and acts like a little ‘connection bubble’ for you and your horse. 

    A 20m x 20m space is perfect, like a lunging ring. Alternatively, if you do have a bigger space, try placing poles on the ground, marking out a temporary, smaller space. I do suggest having a physical boundary. It really does help this shorter, focused work.

    Riding = Groundwork, Lunging, Riding, etc.

    My second point to clear up quickly is the fact that I am using the word ride or riding. But this plan is not just limited to riding.  Take riding to mean any intentional interaction you can have with your horse. Lunging, long-lining, groundwork, etc.

    Switching between different training methods will give you a fresh perspective, more information about your horse and yourself, and better clarity on what needs attention when you do find yourself with the luxury of more time. 

    What’s the 10 Minute Riding Plan?

    It’s a short, focused session designed to connect your body, your mind, and your horse’s attention, without pressure. And it’s a plan you can take and plug your own specific intentions or goals into so that it works exactly for you and your horse wherever you are right now in your riding.

    This riding plan works because it removes overwhelm, eliminates decision fatigue, and stops you from wandering around an arena trying to “fit something in.”

    The basic outline for this reset or riding plan includes:-

          • 1–2 minutes of Mindful Walking – Breathing, connecting your seat, syncing with your horse
          • 1–2 minutes of Rhythm Setting – Finding, keeping, and maintaining a consistent tempo
          • 2–3 minutes of Simple Patterns – Circles, figures of eight, changes of rein, serpentines, nothing fancy
          • 2–3 minutes of One Clear Focus – Transitions, your seat, straightness, bend, connection, half halt…

    It’s deliberately uncomplicated, because complicated rides don’t work when life is chaotic! This is the exact time you need to find what’s doable and just enough to keep you moving in your riding and training.

    What This Riding Plan Is Not For

    I think that for you to make the most of this riding plan, you need to realise that this is for when you don’t have the luxury of time or a consistent schedule. This is important. There are things that I feel need to be worked on when you do have those things. Things like explaining something new to your horse, or trying difficult new movements! Or anything that requires you to warm up for quite a bit of time. Don’t try to squash a full 40-minute training session into 10 minutes!

    If you only have 10 minutes, go into it with that mindset. Don’t try to cram and rush things. So often it’s the tension we bring by trying to do too much in a short period of time that negates all of the goodness of the short, intentional training sessions! 

     

    Why a 10 Minute Riding Plan Works

    When you go into this with the full intention of it being exactly what it is, a short intentional ride, you’ll get positive results. You can use the time to reinforce or practice positive habits while maintaining or even strengthening your partnership with your horse.

    And instead of allowing all past progress to slide due to a busy period, you get to come out the other side still moving forward with momentum! 

    And keep in mind that your horse doesn’t know the ride is only 10 minutes long! He will rather feel your presence, your intention, and if you plan well, benefit from the whole experience!

    Making This Work for 4 to 6 Weeks

    How long you will have to ride in this way will depend on your specific situation and circumstances. But it really can help you come out the other side of a busy period still connected and working with your horse if you commit to being consistent, doing the planning work, and showing up!

    1. Choose a Time Window

    Okay, so let’s say you’re looking at this coming week. Instead of saying I’ll ride Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I want you to get more specific. Not a specific time exactly, but rather a specific window of time in which you will ride.  So, for example, I will ride:-

          • Sometime between 7am and 9am on Wednesday.
          • Before evening feeding time on Thursday
          • During my lunch on Monday

    2. Choose a Weekly Focus

    Then, rather than just showing up on the day and wandering aimlessly around for 10 minutes, choose a theme for the week.  This way, even if you only get 2 riding sessions in, you are building consistency and momentum to keep you both ‘ticking over’ when life feels hectic! I think that the theme will depend on where you both are in your training, but a few potential ones you could explore are:-

          • Rhythm
          • Transitions
          • Weight aids
          • Bending and flexion
          • Straightness
          • The half halt

    3. Track & Review the Work!

    I’ve been preaching this for years, and it is still the missing piece for so many riders! They are just not tracking and reviewing their rides! You will begin creating and building momentum when you develop consistency.

          • Take the time to review each ride immediately after it happens
          • Look for and notice patterns
          • Allow what you learn to guide the next week’s theme

    Inside Connection, I have created training to help you use AI to make tracking and reviewing easier and more effective. The recordings are available there right now for you to dive into

    And, if you’re looking for looking for short, structured riding plans, Connection is packed with 12 minute audio horse riding lessons you can use every time you’re in the saddle. 

    Whatever you decide, don’t allow a busy period of life to derail you and your riding plans. I have a full workbook filled with 15-minute or less ideas you can use to get inspired. It’s packed with quick ideas for groundwork, lunging, and riding, and it’s 100% free over at https://stridesforsuccess.com/15

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Explore Connection

    Connection is full of short, structured 12-minute audio horse riding lessons, perfect for December or other busy periods! We’re also deep-diving into the half halt this quarter, with live trainings and replays available inside.
    https://stridesforsuccess.com/join

    Online Training & Coaching

    The Your Signature Ride Challenge

    Here’s the idea: you use only your seat and leg aids to “write” your name in the arena. Sounds simple, right? But what it really does is sharpen your awareness of timing and clarity.  You’ll learn when your aids actually make a difference.  And you’ll have fun doing it.  All while creating a pattern that’s uniquely yours!

    You can sign up by CLICKING HERE

    It’s free to join, and every rider who participates gets access to a guided audio lesson to help them through the challenge. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win 3 months inside Connection (a $66 value)

    Restart & Reschool

    And if you would like a little more 1-to-1 coaching, explore Restart & Reschool Private Coaching. It is perfect if you’re starting your practice – or if you’re looking to turn your existing practice into something ‘real’ for you and your horse. I’ll guide you step by step on the way! You’ll not only get the full ‘OTTB; From Racetrack to Ready Program’, but also fortnightly private lessons with me to move you forward in your riding.

    We can work on anything you would like; from groundwork, to lunging, to riding, to jumping… With the virtual private lessons, we can do all of these things – and more.  If you would like to find out more, you can let me know a little more about you HERE. I will then reach back out, and we can chat!

    This is the support, training, and accountability you’ve been missing to finally follow through and start seeing progress. No fluff. No overwhelm. And as flexible as you need for your lifestyle. 

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Today’s Riding Plan for You and Your Horse…

    Today’s Riding Plan for You and Your Horse…

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    “So, what are you planning on doing today?”. It’s a question I ask at least 5 or 6 times a week to different riders.  And, let’s be honest here, so often the answer is not all that great! “I’m not sure.  We’ll see when we start working.”  If that’s you right regarding your next ride with your horse, I am giving you ‘the look’!  The look I reserve for riders who say they want to achieve and do all of the things… But they continue to wing it when it comes to their training and their responsibilities as the trainer for their horse.

    So, rather than just moan, I am going to give you a step-by-step riding plan today that you can follow so you can truly make the most of your next ride with your horse :)

     1. Pick a Filter While Tacking Up

    Now, this may seem a little random, but if this plan is going to work and actually help you and your horse in your riding, you MUST do this part. So, what’s a filter?  This is the overall theme or intention for your session together.  There are many things that this could be, it will really depend on where you are in your training and what you and your horse need right now.

    A few examples of ‘filters’ for your riding are:-

          • establishing and maintaining correct relaxation throughout
          • developing suppleness through staying ‘on track’ (no falling in or out)
          • increasing responsiveness to a split second (I ask, and she/he responds appropriately)
          • improving accuracy in the timing of my aids
          • refining my aids so all become more subtle
          • cleaner transitions
          • maintaining rhythm before and after transitions
          • improving self-carriage and better contact

     

    The list is endless as to what you want to focus on.  However, it is absolutely essential that you choose something to focus on.  Otherwise, you will just be riding through the motions aimlessly.

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     2. Riding Plan; Minutes 0 – 10

    This is the warm-up.  If you’re really keen to improve things, you will actually have completed a quick ‘stretch’ of your own body BEFORE jumping into the saddle.  But, either way, the goal for the first 5 to 10 minutes is to get the blood flowing in your horse’s body and your body.

    How long you spend warming up will depend on your situation. Some horses need longer and this will depend on many factors. When in doubt, go longer! 

    While warming up, use the time to begin ‘syncing’ your movements to your horse.  Focus on identifying when each of your horse’s hind legs is moving, and where, and notice how this feels in your seat. This will become very important later.

    Also, work on moving forward and, during the second half of this warm-up, begin ‘fine-tuning’ the responsiveness between you and your horse. 

    For this warm-up I suggest:-

          • Walk 2 circuits of the arena on the left rein
          • Walk 2 circuits of the arena on the right rein
          • 20m circle – x2 in the walk on the left rein
          • 20m circle – x2 in the walk on the right rein
          • BEGIN PICKING UP MORE CONTACT WITH YOUR HORSE
          • Walk a figure of 8
          • Go large again on the left rein
          • Walk to halt to walk transitions (10 strides walk to 3 seconds of halt)
          • Change rein across long diagonal
          • Again, walk to halt to walk transitions (10 strides walk to 3 seconds of halt)

     3. Riding Plan; Minutes 10 to 15

    From here, in your riding plan, you can begin to work in trot. I always like to start off in the rising trot (posting to the trot). I feel that it gives both horse and rider more of an opportunity to warm up and begin working together. Focus on both your rise and your ‘fall’ (the ups and the downs).

    When in the rising trot, keep the idea in your head that you are ‘creating space’ under your backside and saddle for your horse’s back to move into. Keep your movements as light as you can…

    Also, remember to keep the energy and thinking moving forwards. Rather have things a little ‘sloppy’ initially but with the energy of ‘forward’ and then tidy it up later as you really begin to engage and work.  Looking for everything to be polished from the start often leads to the energy becoming ‘stuck’.

    So, in rising trot, you can ride a:-

          • 20m circle x3 on the left rein
          • go large on the left rein
          • change rein across the long diagonal
          • on the right rein ride the short side and up the long side of your arena
          • 20m circle x3 on the right rein
          • go large and then at A or C begin a three-looped serpentine
          • on completion go large
          • change rein across the long diagonal
          • track large on the left rein
          • at A or C ride three looped serpentine

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     4. Riding Plan:- Minutes 20 to 30 (or 35)

    Once you are warmed up, this is where you can begin to transition into the ‘work’ part of the session.  This is where you will ask specific questions, and look at what happens as it relates to your theme or focus for the ride.

    So, for example, if the focus was on maintaining rhythm before and after transitions, you can begin asking for intentional transitions between trot and walk, walk and halt, halt and walk, walk and trot, and trot and canter. By working up and down the scale between the different ‘gears’ with a specific focus on maintaining rhythm, you will work on improving each transition you ride or ask for.

    I suggest keeping the exercises as simple as you can; rather let the focus be on the quality of the work.  I also think 2 to 3 different exercises are more than enough during this part of the training. 

    So, you could ride the previous ‘layout’ again, but this time adding transitions or lateral work, or whatever movements you feel will help you reach your intended outcome or goal. The key is having something planned BEFORE you reach this part of the work.  By building to something intentional, you will be more inclined to use the warm-up as a base.

    Remember, there shouldn’t be a marked difference between ‘end of warm-up’ and ‘start of training’. They should just blend together and flow from one into the other. 

    So my suggestion for this part of the ride are:-

          • 3 to 5 minutes on exercise 1
          • A short break for you and your horse
          • 3 to 5 minutes on exercise 2
          • A short break for you and your horse
          • 3 to 5 minutes on exercise 3

     5. Riding Plan:- Minutes 35 – 45

    This is where you transition into the cool-down period.  Now, sometimes, depending on what you are working on, there may be a very definite ‘stop work’ part of your ride.  This often happens if you have been jumping.  You will ride the final exercise, grid, or track, and then finish ‘working’.

    However, if you are working on flatwork, you can actually make more of a gradual transition into the cool down and ask for more stretching from your horse.  Many riders will associate this type of transition with working ‘long and low’. That is also okay. And remember, just like when you were warming up in the trot, think about allowing ‘space’ for your horses back underneath you.

    During the cool-down, you may find that moving out of the arena can help your horse to mentally ‘finish up working’. This can also be helpful for the rider.  

    Regardless of what you choose to do, the goal here is for your horse’s heart rate to return to normal and for him to stretch things out a little.  I also find that this is a great time for the rider to reflect on the training session and make mental notes of what was important.  Of course, all of this information will then be recorded in their riding journal… Nudge nudge!

    1269 - Today's Riding Plan for You And Your Horse

    Adapting This for Your Horse

    Now, obviously, this plan must be adapted for your horse and the level of training he is comfortable with.  This plan assumes that your horse already has achieved a certain level of fitness and is working at a certain level in his training.  Unfit or very young/green horses should not be worked for long periods; slow and steady wins.

    Using this basic riding plan, you can begin to tweak it as needed so that you have a clear focus for working with your horse. It will allow you to focus on the quality of the work, rather than worrying about what you have to do! 

    Make sure you record how it went so that you can begin to see patterns over time. This will further help you to discover what works for your horse – and you.  You will also begin to see what needs to change regarding your training sessions.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Riding the Same Simple Exercise Through the Different Filters of Position & Influence

    Riding the Same Simple Exercise Through the Different Filters of Position & Influence

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    There are hundreds, even thousands, of different exercises we can ride when schooling our horses. Often riders think that they have to get more and more complicated with their exercises in order to make progress in their riding.  However, I personally believe that, for the most part, simple works better.

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I want to show you how to work on the same exercise, using two different filters

    This episode of the Daily Strides Podcast has been plucked from a week of lessons from Daily Strides Premium called “Examples of Different Filters to Vary Your Exercises”. The full week of lessons are available right now when you join Connection

    The exercise we are going to work on for this example with be a simple three looped serpentine.  I want to show you how you can use this exercise in lots of different ways.

    Keeping your riding interesting doesn’t need to be complicated; a single exercise can have so many uses

    The Different Filters for this Exercise

    The first filter will be your position in the saddle.  Specifically, your position while riding the three-looped serpentine.  There are many different points throughout the movement itself where you can ‘check in’ with how effective your position is.

    The key to using a specific filter or focus is to remember to continue to track it throughout the exercise – and not to become distracted with something else!

    The second filter is that of influence.  I suggest riding the same exercise, the 3 looped serpentines, but this time notice how well you can positively influence the horse. Your focus will be on how well your horse is going, and how you are communicating with your horse in order to maintain or improve this throughout the exercise.

    Shift, in your mind, where your focus is as you begin preparing to ride the exercise again through the new filter   

    I suggest choosing different filters that complement each other when planning out your exercises.  And, of course, make sure that they are working towards your long-term goals with your horse.

    Make sure you listen to this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast (it will be available to play at the beginning of this post) to hear all the details.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Examples of Different Filters to Vary Your Exercises

    This episode comes from a full week of lessons on this topic.  In this group of lessons, we will take one exercise and look at how we can approach using it and riding it through a whole host of different filters.  I also try to take ‘complementary’ filters in each episode, so that you can build ‘themes’ for your months – which will lead to greater progress in your riding

    When you join Connection; my monthly online membership for equestrians, you will get weekly audio horse riding lessons (5 per week – each 12 minutes long) to use in your riding. 

    Guided audio horse riding lessons, weekly bonus live training, personal accountability, monthly challenges, and so much more… And all of your training is available on a private podcast feed so you can listen while you are with your horse :)

    Find out all the details and join today HERE

    Extra Resources for Riders

  • Your Riding Plan – Part 4:- 1 Exercise – Multiple Ways to Use it in Your Riding [Surprise Inside]

    Your Riding Plan – Part 4:- 1 Exercise – Multiple Ways to Use it in Your Riding [Surprise Inside]

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    Have you been feeling a little overwhelmed when it comes to finding exercises to ride with your horse in the arena? Have you found yourself creating more and more complex grids, and then struggling to make them work for you and your horse? If so, here is a simple exercise you can use this month to help minimize the overwhelm and get you in the saddle and making progress.

    All you need are 3 or 5 ground poles and a fairly flat piece of land to ride on if you don’t have access to an arena.

    The key to this exercise is intention regarding what you are doing and attention to how well things are going. Attention to detail is important when working on simple. It is what makes simple really work and help propel you and your horse forward in your training.

    Lay Out the Poles for the Exercise

    To get set up, find the quarter line of your arena. If you are working in an open space, such as a paddock or field, simply find a flat area with enough space to lay the poles out in a straight line.

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    I have created a FREE PLAN HERE for you to download and bring to the barn. It will show you how to layout the poles, and give you tips and pointers on how to use the exercises. I feel that this simple layout can benefit horses and riders of all levels. Again, it is simply a matter of choosing the intention and then paying attention in order to really get the most from each suggested exercise.

    And if your arenas or fields are out of bounds, this exercise can also be ridden on a driveway…

    If the weather conditions or lack of light is making riding difficult. This same exercise can be set up on a flat driveway, lane, or car parking area. Obviously, safety comes first, so the onus is on you to choose wisely! The key to the exercise working is the ability to have about 2 meters on either side of each pole that you can move around.

    You do not need a massive amount of width when riding this exercise. It is rather the length that is important to consider when laying the poles down.

    Again, you can download the PDF diagram HERE which gives you a visual explanation for how to lay your poles out.

    Exercise 1 Halt at Each Pole – 4 Different Filters

    This first exercise seems so simple, and yet so much can be both learned and developed when working into and out of halt. The first way to ride this exercise is to simply walk on a straight track, parallel to the poles. At each pole, ask for a halt. Remain stationary for 3 to 5 seconds. Then walk on again.

    I am going to give you 4 different approaches or filters you can use when riding this exercise.

    Yes, it is one exercise however, there are so many different ways you can focus or set different intentions for it that will make it stretch so much further for you and your horse.

        1. A Square Halt
        2. A Straight Halt
        3. An Engaged Halt
        4. A Well Ridden Halt

    Aim to improve the quality of the halt each time you ride it. And use each of the four ‘filters’ below to help you really set a specific intention around each halt that you ride.

    Filter 1:- A Square Halt

    I’ve noticed that so many riders work on this religiously for a session or two. And then, as soon as they leave the arena, it is forgotten! Use this simple exercise to begin to put ’square halt’ onto autopilot for both yourself and your horse

    Start with the front hooves. If there was an imaginary straight line on the ground where you halt, would your horse have both front hooves tipping it? Hooves are straight. Shoulders are straight… Not one hoof in front of the other or looking like he’s ‘mid-step’.

    Once you can consistently halt square in front each time, turn your attention to the hind hooves. This time, instead of an imaginary line on the ground, imagine a rectangular box shape drawn on the ground.

    A square halt will have a hoof in each corner of the imaginary rectangle.

    You will notice that in order to achieve the consistent square halt, you will have to work on balancing your aids. It is using the combination of your horse’s energy and your energy that achieves consistently square halts. And that is key, consistency! Remember, we’re not looking for ‘lucky’, once-off, square halts, but rather consistent planned ones.

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    Filter 2:- A Straight Halt

    From here, you can use the poles to help you assess the straightness of the halt. Again, ride a track parallel to the poles and halt at each pole as you ride alongside it. As you prepare for and ride each halt, notice how straight your horse is.

    Is your horse truly parallel to the pole as he enters the halt and then inside of the halt itself?

    From here, you can also begin noticing if he remains straight as he transitions out of the halt. Think about how you can use your aids to encourage him to become more straight with each halt you ride. And remember, your aids are there to ask your horse to remain straight. They are not really there to ‘keep’ your horse straight.

    Filter 3:- An Engaged Halt

    Notice, and then work on actively improving, the engagement in each halt that you ride.

    Pay attention to the consistency of the tension as you prepare for and then move into the halt. This is a combination of relaxation and rhythm. Can he remain supple through his body so that he is able to easily remain smooth and the transitions in and out of the movement?

    And, from there, Is your horse truly carrying himself as he stands in the halt itself?

    Or is he ‘hanging out’ in the halt?! Work on improving the consistency of the relaxation, the rhythm, and the contact of each halt. An engaged halt looks and feels very different from a halt that a horse has been either hauled into or fallen into.

    Be intentional about the energy that is being contained within each halt you ride.

    Filter 4:- A Well Ridden Halt

    Finally, turn the attention to yourself and what you are doing in the saddle. Often we can get so caught up with what our horses are doing in the saddle that we forget to apply all the above to ourselves!

    How aligned are you as you prepare and then move into each halt?

    Notice your posture and where your energy is potentially ‘falling out’ or ‘falling in’. Yes, those terms are not just for horses. If you are allowing a shoulder to duck or a seat bone to slide, you can also fall out or in!

    Notice the consistency of the tension you are applying on the reins. And your legs and seat. How balanced, coordinated, and smooth are your aids? How can you improve your application of each aid in order to produce a clearer direction for your horse?

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    Keep It Simple

    Okay, so I have given you 4 different ways you can ride the same exercise with your horse. Simply riding a track parallel to a line of poles and halting at each pole.

    Coming up with different exercises does not have to be difficult. It simply requires a little work before you get into the saddle. A little ‘up front’ effort on your part.

    Now, what if I told you that there is at least another 4 exercises you can ride, using the same pole layout? Yes, the same 3 or 5 poles, in the same formation or positions.

    You can get the second one completely free, with step by step guidance on how to do it, when you download the PDF guide to this exercise HERE

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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    Additional Links to Help You:-

    1 Groundpole Exercise - Multiple Ways to Use it in Your Riding

  • Your Riding Plan – Part 3 – Developing

    Your Riding Plan – Part 3 – Developing

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    Is every 30-minute ride starting to look and feel the same for you? Even the ones that you painstakingly chose exercises to work on? Annoying, isn’t it? Especially because actually ‘moving forward’ in your riding is the reason you are riding!

    If this is the case, firstly, take heart that you’re not alone! Remaining focused throughout the day to day riding can really begin to wear on most well-intentioned riders after a while. And can even cause riding to begin dropping off your list of priorities…!

    This is why I suggest a 3 pronged approach to developing your weekly riding plan in a way that keeps things interesting and moving forward…

    A plan that will take you, clearly, on a path to your goals. Part 1 is to introduce regular intentional Fun to your riding. From there, Part 2 is working on deepening your Partnership with your horse. Which leads us to…

    Part 3 – Developing

    Doing the work. This is part that most riders are good at talking about, planning about, and even trying in the arena. You have probably found yourself on more than one occasion in the arena, exercise all mapped out in your head. And yet realizing, in absolute dismay, that it is just not coming together for you.

    The key is to begin making ‘the work’ actually work for you and your horse!

    Developing is another name for training. I personally believe that both horse and rider need training in order to move forward in their relationship. Often, most horse and rider combinations begin with one team member not being as advanced as the other. In this case, the more advanced or developed team members will help to ‘lift’ the other to their level. The schoolmaster horse or the more experienced rider.

    However, at some point, most horse and rider partnerships will reach a level where they are now matching in their skills and abilities. And this can be where so many begin to plateau.

    Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally

    When we think of ‘working’ our horses or ‘training’ our horses, it can be easy to only focus on the physical. The things we can actually see. Increased flexion. Improved straightness. Maintained rhythm. However, reaching a new level in development actually involves your horse also develop emotionally and mentally.

    Your horse must believe that he can do the things you are asking him to do.

    The same applies to riders. Just focusing on actual physical riding skills will result in a rider plateauing in their training. We all know of the rider (maybe it is even you) who knows what to do and can do it… But just does not have the confidence to do it. Or who cannot consistently establish or maintain what it is that they are doing?

    Both horse and rider must develop both mentally, emotionally, and physically in order to really continue to grow individually and as a team.

    The Power of Simple

    I am a big believer in keeping things simple. Simple exercises that focus on simple outcomes. The basics matter and I believe that spending the majority of your ‘Developing Time’ there, will help you and your horse reach your goals much faster and easier. This is especially true if you have plateaued in your riding…

    Often, if you are not seeing progress (usually because Fun and Partnership are not included in the plan), you instinctively jump to complicated where training is concerned.

    I am going to urge you to rein in the temptation to do that and to really just focus and work on the simple in your training with your horse. It’s not fancy, it’s not fashionable! But it works.

    Choose simple exercises and rather work on them through the filter of what you want to achieve in your riding.

    For example, a serpentine can be used to work on transitions, bending, rhythm, walk, trot, canter, straightness, ground poles, flexion, relaxation, accuracy and so much more. One exercise, that is as basic as they come, and I’ve just given you 11 different ways you can use it in your training.

    Adding Developing To Your Riding Plan

    Just like Fun and Partnership, there are many different ways to incorporate Developing or Training into your riding plan. Here are a few suggestions you can use to get you started…

        • Groundpoles
        • Lunging in an enclosed space
        • Groundwork
        • Long Lining
        • Flatwork (while riding)
        • Gridwork
        • Jumping
        • Clinics
        • Workshops
        • Shows & Competitions
        • Long Lining over poles
        • Lunging in an open space
        • New experiences
        • Trail rides & hacking

    And that is just to get started with… I’m sure you can come up with many more ways and opportunities you can really begin training and developing both you and your horse.

    Again, you will see cross-pollination between the activities on your Fun List, your Partnership List, and your Training List. Remember, it is the intention that counts.

    Finding Exercises

    The final part of putting all of this together is to find actual exercises for you and your horse to work on each day as you ride. 3 exercises can go a long way. 5 and you have more than enough for a month’s worth of riding.

    Choose wisely and, remember, keep it simple!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Links to Help You:-

  • Planning Your Rides – Part 1: Fun

    Planning Your Rides – Part 1: Fun

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1177_3_Essentials_You_Need_in_Your_Riding_Plan_Part_1.mp3″ title=”Planning Your Rides – Part 1:- Fun” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Stuck and not sure of what to do in your riding? Here’s how to inject a little fun…” hashtag=”equestrianpodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy… Or so the saying goes. I tend to believe this is true. Especially when it comes to riders and their horses. Yes, ‘working’ is important. But, if you are only riding to ride… Well, maybe that is what is actually holding you back in your riding?

    I think that in order to really get the most from your riding plan to help you reach your goals, there are 3 key components. Not just work! Fun is just as important. And if you have been riding for any length of time, you will know that fun begins to wane after a while.

    One of the biggest reasons that riders don’t ride as much as they say they want to – is down to riding simply not being as much fun as it once was!

    Creating a plan for your riding is not just about the days you ride. It is also about finding a balance between 3 key elements that, I believe, are essential. Including these 3 elements will allow you to work towards your riding goals, while keeping things inspired, focused and interesting for all involved. Because, after all, that’s what Team Leaders do, right?!

    Part 1 – Fun

    Fun is one of my highest values. Seriously. I am all about it. I actively look for ways to make things more enjoyable. And I look for ways I drop or delegate things that are not so much fun for me. Imagine if you took this same approach to your riding?

    You see, I believe that most riders ride because riding is fun.

    Why do you ride? Because of how it makes you feel – or maybe ‘made’ you feel. And there is the rub for many riders. What starts as this fun, exciting, and new experience, every single ride, can soon become, well, a little same old, same old.

    You can make sure fun remains a big part of your day to day riding by intentionally planning enjoyable things for you and your horse to do, on a regular basis.

    So what is 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.

    Many riders confuse activities that bring them joy with activities that are fun for all involved. I know a lot of horses who don’t find jumping the same jump or riding the same movement over and over again much fun. But their rider does!

    The rider ends the ride having had the time of their life. The horse ends by offering up a silent prayer of thanks for that particular 30 minutes of tediousness being over!

    Fun Can Mean Many Different Things

    I can bet that if you and I had a chat over a cup of tea, there would definitely be some things we could agree on as being ‘fun’. However, there are probably just as many that I would say are ‘fun’ and you would look at me as though I was crazy. Ironing, anyone?! Fun means different things to different people.

    And ‘fun’ can also change as you develop as a rider. Where initially the simple act of riding was fun, you may find that this just doesn’t bring you the same levels of enjoyment after a while. And this is where developing intention about what is fun becomes important.

    Fun also means different things to different horses.

    For some horses, practicing the course of fences is fun. Others enjoy the gallop on the sand at the beach. Or grazing in a safe paddock, maybe with their human close by reading a book or magazine. Massages, treats, natural horsemanship… There are endless possibilities and opportunities to discover what your horse enjoys.

    Ideas For Getting Intentional

    Here are a few suggestions to get you started with this. You may find that you are naturally drawn to one or two of these. Great. Insert them into your riding plan for this coming month.

          •  In-hand grazing
          •  A relaxing trail ride with a friend
          •  Loosely braiding or brushing your horse’s mane
          •  A leg or face massage for your horse
          •  Baking (you) and eating treats together
          •  A walk in-hand
          •  Grooming
          •  Natural horsemanship
          •  Picnic with your horse
          •  A trail ride with just the two of you…
          •  Observing your horse in the paddock
          •  A gallop in an open field
          •  Reading a book in the paddock, or beside the paddock (you know what’s safe for you)
          •  Full body massage for your horse
          •  A beach ride for both of you
          •  Brushing your horses tail

    These are just a few ideas, the list is endless. I am going to suggest choosing 2 or 3 and ‘slot’ them into your riding plan for this month.

    Trying New Things…

    Fun, just like everything else, has a comfort zone. A place where there is no excess tension there to make it feel a little different or ‘uncomfortable’. If confidence is an issue for you or/and your horse, stay in your comfort zone for a while to grow your confidence.

    Keep in mind that all things inside of our comfort zone can begin to feel ‘bland’ or ‘neutral’ after a while… Fun is no different…

    So, I am going to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. I am challenging you to try something that you have not done before. Or something that you don’t think you, or your horse, would enjoy. Give it a go… See how it feels and, if you surprise yourself and discover it is, in fact, fun; great.

    You now have another activity to include in your ‘fun’ list for when you are creating your weekly riding plan.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Resources to Help Equestrians:-