"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 :)

You can read the full article along with the lists of suggested riding movements HERE

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It's always the same. The same sentences are being spoken and written about the same things. And I've been thinking about why it is this way. Why do most riders make the same 'resolutions' year in and year out? Rather than growing, building, and developing so that they get to create something different each year they are together? How about this year, you try something different for you and your horse? Something that you can feel a sense of accomplishment about? Commit to 'Doing It'... Now, I get that 'doing it' is fairly vague! It's one of those phrases that can mean anything to anyone. And this is where the magic lives. It is as individual and unique as you and your horse are when working together. Which allows you to make it anything that you want it to be. I am going to suggest that from today, you begin to think about what 'doing it' is for you and your horse. Start with thinking about what 'being an equestrian' means for you. Does it mean a deeper connection with your horse? Perhaps it is with horses in general. Maybe it is riding skills and training skills that really define an equestrian for you. Or the number of hours spent with horses on a weekly basis... Read the rest of this article and links to other similar ones HERE Free Daily Strides Podcast Riding Calendar - Download it HERE More Training & Support

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There are certain times of the year when circumstances mean you can find yourself with either more or less time with your horse. December, August, and April are just a few that pop into my mind. Some riders find they have more time, and other riders have significantly less! It just depends on your unique circumstances and situation.

What is key to remember is that whatever side of the time conundrum you find yourself on, making the time with your horse count is important. Especially if you hope to continue to move forward in your training together. Can you really afford to lose a month of training - and set your momentum back to zero?

So, to help you get this all figured out and continue to grow and develop your skills as a rider, here are a few ideas on how you can make the most of your time with your horse. However much time that happens to be for you.

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Whether you enjoy jumping or not, the fact of the matter remains... When approached correctly and consistently, jumping can significantly benefit horses and riders in a long-term training program even if there is no intention of actually 'jumping' competitively. And this is true regardless of discipline, training level, and experience.

When introduced the right way, and then strategically used jumping is a great way to add diversity to the training - and physically and mentally develop the team.

So, here are three simple ways you can get started and begin using jumping this week in your current training program with your horse. And, keep in mind, nothing has to be 'higher' or 'bigger' than 30cm (12 inches), deal? ;)

Read the Rest of This Article and Get More Resources HERE

More Training & Support

• • • Free Planner & Exercises for Riders
    • Join Connection for Step by Step Audio Horse Riding Lessons
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There are times each year when special offers are just an inevitable part of life. Right now is one of those times; I can only imagine how, right now, your inbox is full, full, full, with all of the things! And some of those things, online horse programs, are just so, well, darn good... Right?

Hmmm... Maybe too good?!

I think that most of us would agree that knowing how to discern 'all of the things' when it comes to online horse programs and courses can be a bit of a fine art. Particularly when you're not an expert on the topic of the course or program you're interested in, maybe, investing in. And this is true for most of us. After all, we are not going to spend time and money on knowledge or training on things we already are well versed in!

So, in the hope that I can help you a little with all of the decisions regarding what's 'right' for you and your horse... Here's a quick rundown of the 3 common mistakes I see riders make.

Read More of This Article HERE More On This Topic:-

• • • Working with an Online Coach or Trainer
    • Accountability in Your Riding

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    • Lunging for Riding – 4-week step-by-step program to transform your lunging experience
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As a rider, it is important to always look for ways to keep your schooling work interesting; for you and your horse. One of the ways you can do this is by working on different lunging exercises. And they don't have to be 'fancy' or complex.

In fact, there are a few basic exercises you can begin working on introducing, or refining today that will help you to really begin utilizing lunging as a training tool for you and your horse.

Now, just like riding, it is important that before you dive into 'working' your horse, you take the time to warm up correctly. I enjoy walking my horse (leading my horse) the 'long way round' to the arena I will be working in. I use the 5 or so minutes to do a little groundwork on the way.

And bonus points if the groundwork sets up, introduces, or relates to what you will actually be working on when lunging your horse. It is the perfect way to start the conversation.

Read the Rest of the Article and Explore other Resources HERE

More Resources:-

Free Training to Successfully Get Started with Lunging:-

• https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1264-3-lunging-exercises-to-train-your-horse/

• Join Connection today and transform your riding journey
• Lunging for Riding – 4-week step-by-step program to transform your lunging experience
• Online community for equestrians working on their mindset & fitness
• Online Community for equestrians focusing on re-schooling horses (and ex-racehorse

As both a rider and trainer of your horse, one of your responsibilities is to help your horse build responsibility. In order for riders and their horses to take their training further, both sides of the team need to show up and work together.

This cannot happen if we, the riders, are trying to control all of the moving parts. And so, this can bring up a few questions for riders...

How can I begin to help my horse work 'with' me, rather than just 'for' me? And how can I develop his confidence so that he feels ready to take on some of the responsibility?

Now, I believe that the responsible way to do this is to be consistent and invest time. I also think that this part of the learning should be approached in a few different ways. In the saddle, on the ground, and on the lunge or long lines. This way we can both explain, allow, and respond to our horses from lots of different perspectives. And this, in turn, allows them more opportunities to develop their 'responsibility muscle'.

Recently I spoke about how to begin doing this while riding. You can read or listen to that article/episode HERE. However, today, I want to dive into a personal favorite of mine; lunging.

Read More & Get the PDF by CLICKING HERE... 3 Days to Success Full Lunging - Free Training

Have you tried lunging before - and ended up with a horse running wildly in circles around you?! Or maybe you tried, and the outcome was a horse standing square to you, with no intention of EVER circling around you?! Or are you just a little nervous to start lunging at all? The struggle can be real, eh?!

I have a fantastic free training for you to 'Successfully Get Started with Lunging (whether it's your first time or your 121st time to try this) in 3 Days' and you can sign up (for free) BY CLICKING HERE or visiting https://stridesforsuccess.com/3days

More on This Topic:-

• FREE TRAINING:- 3 Days to Successfully Getting Started on the Lunge
• Train Your Horse in 20 Minutes or Less
• 4 Essentials for Getting Started with Lunging for Riding
• Handling Your Lunge Line to Avoid Tangles and Enhance Contact
• 4 Things You're Doing Wrong When Lunging
• Improving Your Riding Coordination and Aids While Lunging

Get Support & Guidance in Your Riding

• Join Connection today and transform your riding journey
• Lunging for Riding – 4-week step-by-step program to transform your lunging experience
• Online community for equestrians working on their mindset & fitness
• Online Community for equestrians focusing on re-schooling horses (and ex-racehorse

Just last week, I noticed a rider literally dragging their horse from the stables towards the arena. The rider was about a meter in front of the horse's head. Her face was red with effort! And her horse was literally going nowhere slowly.

It occurred to me that so many riders make things really difficult for themselves by not having a few ground rules in place when it comes to their horse and their expectations.

And what better place to work on ground rules than on the ground? Beside your horse. Groundwork is an essential part of training your horse. It is where you can set expectations, create boundaries, explain 'rules', and develop partnerships.

Groundwork exercises also help you to refine your own skills as a rider. By simply having to figure out a slightly different way to 'say' something to your horse, you get to explore your own knowledge of the subject.

So, all of that being said, here are 3 groundwork exercises you can use this week when working with your horse...

Read More...

A Step-by-Step Groundwork Exercise

If you are keen to find out how you can begin using the "Increasing Suppleness Through Flexion Groundwork Exercise" to develop and train your horse today. Get the free guided audio training to use before or after your ride, to really begin introducing and increasing your horse's flexion. And you will also get a bonus audio horse riding lesson as well to use when in the saddle to ask put some of your work into practice while riding.

The"Increasing Suppleness Through Flexion Groundwork Exercise" to develop and train your horse is 100% free and you can get yours when you CLICK HERE https://stridesforsuccess.com/flex

Additional Links on Groundwork

• Groundwork for Riding 4 Week Program
• Groundwork for Horses and Rhythm in Training
• Groundwork; The Bookends in Your Riding
• 4 Ways to Work with Your Horse When Time is Short
• Why Enforcing Your Boundaries on the Ground Will Improve Your Riding
• Square Halt on the Ground
• Your Half Halt on the Ground with Your Horse

Other Resources to Help Riders

• Join Connection today and transform your riding journey
• Improve Your Canter – 4-Week Program
• Online community for equestrians working on their mindset & Fitness
• Online Community for equestrians focusing on re-schooling horses (and ex-racehorse

For years, I was all about control when it came to horses. I wanted to understand how to control them better, and how I could help riders do this… Until, one day, I realized I was working under a false pretense! You see, I figured something out. It was like an 'oh wow' moment.

There is no way to control a horse – or at least a way to do this that encourages the development and training of horse and rider.

And I really and truly believe that if more riders could understand this, they can make progress far more quickly. And enjoy the whole training journey a whole lot more as well… In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I am diving into all of the reasons that trying to control your horse is actually holding you both back from doing more in your work together.

Read More...

Links to More Helpful Stuff:-

• Free Training – Find the Gaps in Your Horses Training
• Have More Success when Training Your Horse Alone
• 5 Reasons You're Stuck when Training or Retraining Your Horse
• Connection – the Monthly Membership for Equestrians Riding & Training Alone
• Groundwork for Riding
• Lunging for Riding

Join My Online Communities for Equestrians

• Online community for equestrians working on their mindset & Fitness
• Online Community for equestrians focusing on re-schooling horses (and ex-racehorse

Whether it comes down to circumstances, weather, or location, finding yourself without a flat, good-quality, horse arena to train in, can often derail everything. It can feel like every single exercise you see or hear about requires acres of space and dozens of poles!

And, maybe even more frustrating is when you begin to feel things coming together, only to slip or unbalance due to questionable footing or ground levels.

Let's be perfectly honest here; having a good quality suitable horse arena to work in is important if you have long-term goals with your horse... However, there are some short-term solutions you can use to keep training moving forward while you figure things out.

Read More...

Additional Resources:-

Links That May Help:-

• Connection - the Monthly Membership for Equestrians Riding & Training Alone
• Groundwork for Riding
• Lunging for Riding
• Making the Most of Riding in a Smaller Space
• Using Pressure and Release in Groundwork
• 3 Exercises to Use to Develop Your Horse While Out on the Trail

Online Communities for Equestrians

• Online community for equestrians working on their mindset & Fitness
• Online Community for equestrians focusing on re-schooling horses (and ex-racehorse