Join the Returning to Riding Waitlist at https://returningtoriding.com

How often have you felt overwhelmed about remembering and doing all of the things when it comes to your riding? Perhaps you find yourself looking at more experienced riders and wondering "How do they do it?". Maybe you feel at a loss because "As soon as I start with something different, it all falls apart.".  Or for you it could just be "I just can't remember to do all of the things at the same time!!!". This is a very real part of the riding journey for all riders. It's a phase you have to go through if you want to improve and succeed as a 'rider'.

Take a deep breath, because you’re definitely not alone. In fact, feeling overwhelmed, especially when you're still learning all of the things is a natural part of the riding journey. Every single rider—yes, even those more experienced riders you admire—has faced these exact frustrations.

One of the key differences between struggling riders and those who appear effortlessly successful comes down to one key thing: putting better habits on autopilot - and your thoughts can help you do just that...

 

Read the Full Article & All Links HERE

https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1360-using-your-thoughts-to-put-better-habits-on-autopilot-in-your-riding/

  Online Training to Help Your Riding

• • • • Returning to Riding Program Waitlist
      • Daily Strides Premium – Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
      • Connection – Private Virtual Online Lessons for Equestrians
      • Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons

Connect with Lorna online:-

• • • • Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
      • Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

Join the Returning to Riding Waitlist at https://returningtoriding.com

Have you ever noticed how quickly things can shift from good to tense during a ride? One moment you're feeling relaxed and confident, and the next, you realize that your shoulders have crept up to your ears, your hands are gripping onto those reins for dear life, and, maybe, you've forgotten to breath for a few seconds too long!

Rather than just accepting that your body is doing it's own thing - and not what you want, this is the perfect opportunity to begin asking yourself "What's going on here?". "What thought caused this reaction in my body?"

Because, while you might think that these things just happen; leaning forward on every canter transition, or curling up like a hamster when a dog barks while out for a hack; they are a reaction. Your body is reacting to your thoughts about the situation. Yes, these physical responses aren't random—they’re usually triggered by your thoughts. Thoughts that we often don't even realize we are having!

Today, we're going to explore how to identify these unhelpful thoughts and, importantly, how you can shift them to create positive change in your riding.

Read the Full Article & Access All Links HERE

https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1359-learning-to-identify-unhelpful-thoughts-in-your-riding/

 

Online Training to Help Your Riding

• • • • Returning to Riding Program Waitlist
      • Daily Strides Premium – Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
      • Connection – Private Virtual Online Lessons for Equestrians
      • Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons

Connect with Lorna online:-

• • • • Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
      • Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

Join the Returning to Riding Waitlist:- https://returningtoriding.com

Imagine if there was something you could actively ‘do’ every moment you’re in the saddle that would almost guarantee that you’re in the ‘right place at the right time’.  There is. It involves abiding by the 'Click Your Fingers Rule' regarding your position. And look, I get it: talking about your position is not fun or exciting. But it is 100% one of the BEST ways to improve your skills as a rider.

When you are in the right place at the right time to effectively and clearly communicate with your horse, it stands to reason that the overall connection and quality of the work will improve. 

Your position is so important, and applying the Click Your Fingers Rule will help you develop true balance and independence in the saddle. It’s one of the key elements that allows a rider to transition from being a passenger to truly riding their horse.

Read the Full Article HERE

https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1358-the-click-your-fingers-rule-putting-your-position-on-autopilot-in-your-riding

  Online Training to Help Your Riding

• • • • Returning to Riding Program Waitlist
      • Daily Strides Premium – Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
      • Connection – Private Virtual Online Lessons for Equestrians
      • Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons

  Connect with Lorna online:-

• • • • Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
      • Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

Join the Returning to Riding Waitlist:-  https://returningtoriding.com

You hop into the saddle, ready for a great ride. But before you know it, you’ve spent most of the session adjusting your hands, correcting your position, and just ‘fixing’ yourself. All while your horse just plods along! Sound familiar? Don't worry, you're not alone...

Ask yourself this: Where is the majority of your attention or focus when you ride? Think back to the very last schooling session with your horse with you in the saddle. Maybe you had a lesson, or perhaps it was just you and your horse working together alone. Who did you focus more on: you and your position, aids, tension, etc., or your horse and how well he was working?

There comes a point for most riders when they realize that they spend more time focusing on themselves in each training session. Fixing, correcting, reminding themselves to do or be a certain way...

This is the 'passenger' phase of your horse-riding journey. And while all riders must initially go through it, the challenge comes when they unknowingly get stuck there! It's when you're focusing so much of your energy in 'fixing' yourself that you're not actually riding the horse! You're simply 'sitting there'.

So, if you've been feeling like 80% of your time in the saddle is spent 'fixing' and correcting yourself - this article and episode will help you to begin making the shift from passenger to rider.

Read Full Post & Access All Links HERE

https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1357-are-you-sitting-there-how-to-know-if-youre-stuck-in-passenger-mode

  Online Training to Help Your Riding

• • • • Returning to Riding Program Waitlist
      • Daily Strides Premium – Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
      • Connection – Private Virtual Online Lessons for Equestrians
      • Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons

  Connect with Lorna online:-

• • • • Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
      • Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

So you desperately want to get back in the saddle on the regular again. And you definitely feel excited. But you're also feeling more than a little overwhelmed! The big looming question is "What do I do on that first ride?!" Stop panicking because today, I will guide you through exactly what to do on that first ride... Step by step with your horse. Remember, whether it's been months or years, your body and mind need time to adjust.

For your first few rides back, I want you to focus on increasing your awareness, rather than questioning if you're 'doing it right. Awareness over perfection! 

Today, as we ride together, you will make some small but mighty shifts in how you sit, move, and connect with your horse. These strategic adjustments will make all the difference in rebuilding your confidence and comfort. And they will also help to keep your mind from wandering too much!

So, obviously, this can be listened to while you are riding. But you can also listen before you mount up and then use what you learn to make your first or next ride really count in your journey back to regular riding.

You can read the full article and get all of the links mentioned in the episode over at:- https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1356-back-to-riding-improve-your-seat-hands-balance-on-day-1

 

What’s Next? Choose Your Focus...

Okay, so the first ride is done and dusted. However, now you need to build a little momentum. Choose one of the three following suggestions to work on for your next ride so that you can keep improving and truly make the most of this opportunity to be back in the saddle again.

1. 1. 1. Learn to Begin Controlling Your Seat – Neutral, Go, and Whoa are all real ways you can influence your horse using your seat. I have an episode on this topic HERE
      2. Applying the Click Your Fingers Rule – Those lines are really important for both keeping you in the saddle and also how well your horse can listen to and understand your aids. I have got an episode on this HERE
      3. Developing Your Riding Fitness – Maybe you felt that you lacked the suppleness to move with your horse... If so, I strongly suggest diving into walking and yoga-based free 21-day Equestrian Fitness Challenge HERE

Finally, I would love to hear from you... Which one of the above exercises felt the most impactful for you in your ride today? Pop over to the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community on Facebook and let me know! I’d love to hear about your experience.

“Progress isn’t about doing everything at once - it’s about improving one small thing at a time.”

And if you’re looking for more ways to make the most of your time with your horse, grab my free 80+ Ideas to Do with Your Horse in 15 Minutes or Less by visiting https://stridesforsuccess.com/15

Everything is neatly divided into categories for you to choose from depending on your vision, intention, or focus for your riding.

Happy Riding Lorna

 

Online Training to Help Your Riding

• Returning to Riding Program Waitlist
• Daily Strides Premium – Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
• Connection – Private Virtual Online Lessons for Equestrians
• Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons

Connect with Lorna online:-

• Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
• Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

• 80+ Ideas for 15 Minutes or Less with Your Horse https://stridesforsuccess.com/15
• Groundwork & Energy Live Webinar https://stridesforsuccess.com/energy
• 3 Days to Successful Lunging https://stridesforsuccess.com/3days

 

Nostalgia is a funny thing. It often causes us to look back at or reminisce about past experiences with rose-tinted glasses. And your horse riding journey is no different. Especially when you’re thinking about getting back in the saddle after a significant breakaway.

When you remember all of the adventures you’ve already had when it comes to horses and riding, it can sometimes leave you questioning if there’s any way it could ever hope to be like that again… 

And that doubt over how good getting back in the saddle could be is one of the big reasons riders never take the next action. They don’t go out and tack up. Or they stop exploring riding clubs, or schools that are nearby. And that is such a shame…

While you’re paused because you’re worrying if a new riding experience could possibly measure up to ‘what was’ for you before; you’re missing out on the very real possibility that things could actually be even better. 

Today I want to explore how this is a very real (and even more probable) outcome for you if you finally take the plunge and take action on getting back in the saddle after a break.

Read Full Article and Listen:- https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1355-getting-back-in-the-saddle-can-things-be-even-better-than-before

 

3 Actions To Choose From for This Week:- 

So, I’m hoping that if you’ve been on the fence about getting back in the saddle, I’ve helped to steer you closer to the ‘yes, I’m ready’ camp! Which is to actually do something. Take the next action! Let’s be honest, there are lots of actions you can take to get the ball rolling…

However, I’m going to give you 3 specific things to choose from today:-

1. 1. 1. Prepare Your Equipment & Space:- Start small and use your efforts here to inspire you to do more… I’ve got a free resource you can use that gives you a list of things you can do around the yard (or with your horse) when you find yourself with 15 minutes or less https://stridesforsuccess.com/15
      2. Groundwork Session with Your Horse:- Spend time reconnecting with your horse on the ground. This helps rebuild trust, establish communication, and get a feel for each other’s energy before riding. The Connection Partnership Program is a great way to add some structure to your time – while improving your aids for when you are back in the saddle again. Find out more at https://stridesforsuccess.com/cpp
      3. Lunging Session with Your Horse:- You can take things a step further by getting into the arena and working on 12 minutes of intentional lunging. I have a training to get you started, including audio horse riding lessons to follow for the first 3 lunging sessions together. You can get that for free at https://stridesforsuccess.com/3days

Choose one of the above actions today, and commit to getting started in the coming 7 days. Then pop over to the Daily Strides Podcast Facebook Community and let me know what you’re planning on doing to kick start your journey back to regular riding again :)

Happy Riding Lorna

 

Online Training to Help Your Riding

• • • • Returning to Riding Program Waitlist
      • Daily Strides Premium – Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
      • Connection – Private Virtual Online Lessons for Equestrians
      • Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons
      • Pivo Motion Tracking Software (*affiliate link for 10% off your purchase)

Connect with Lorna online:-

• • • • Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
      • Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

50+ Ideas to do With Your Horse in 15 Minutes or Less HERE

https://stridesforsuccess.com/15

 

Riders stop riding for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes, it's a conscious choice; an injury, a change in circumstances, or a loss of confidence for example. Other times, life simply gets in the way. But whatever the reason, it doesn’t have to define your riding journey going forward.

You're maybe like many other riders, the reason that you've stopped was just a season of life—a temporary chapter, not the whole story. And yet, it’s easy to take that reason and make it mean something about who you are. You, intentionally or not, weave it into your entire identity, convincing yourself that you're no longer a “real rider.”

But here’s the truth: “The reason you stopped riding is just that—a reason, not a definition. It's a chapter that's now ending - not the whole story! 

Getting back in the saddle can feel uncomfortable, even when you want it more than anything. And I'm not just talking about physical discomfort. Often the mental challenges are even more real. This can be because your mind has grown used to its old story. The one where riding is no longer a part of your life. But that story isn’t set in stone. You can rewrite it—starting today...

Read More & Listen to Episode HERE

https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1354-getting-back-in-the-saddle-overcoming-mental-blocks-and-old-identities

 

The Energy Connection Webinar

If you want to go deeper with this for you and your horse, register for my upcoming free live training on how you can use your presence and energy to move both you and your horse from tension to trust.

This is a great, practical training you can use to help you get back in the saddle after a break. I will give you 3 specific exercises you can use the next time you're with your horse to connect with him or her on a deeper level.

You can find all of the details about The Energy Connection Webinar HERE at https://stridesforsuccess.com/energy 

  50+ Ideas for 15 Minutes or Less

• Make the most of those small but plentiful chunks of time when you're with your horse or around the yard with this handy, free list of ideas that will inspire you. 
• https://stridesforsuccess.com/15

  Online Training to Help Your Riding

• • • • Returning to Riding Program Waitlist
      • Daily Strides Premium – Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
      • Connection – Private Virtual Online Lessons for Equestrians
      • Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons
      • Pivo Motion Tracking Software (*affiliate link for 10% off your purchase)

  Connect with Lorna online:-

• • • • Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
      • Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

50+ Ideas for when You've 15 Minutes or Less with Your Horse FREE HERE

Have you been allowing your goal of 'doing things right' to suck the joy and fun out of horse riding for you? Maybe you've been wanting to get back into riding after a long break, but you stop yourself because things are not 100% perfect. There's a time and a place for perfection. Every single moment that you're interacting with your horse is NOT that time!

Today, I want to encourage you to let go of perfection. Release the pressure you're putting on yourself and your horse for everything to be amazing. And just be present and enjoy the moment - warts and all! 

Have you ever watched children playing and noticed how much pure fun they usually have? They are not worried about 'playing the correct way' or 'doing it the right way'. They are simply there, at the moment, enjoying it as it all unfolds before them.

Here's how to begin approaching your riding and interactions with your horse the same way...

Read the Full Article & Access All Links HERE

https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1353-enjoyment-vs-perfection-release-the-pressure

  Online Training to Help Your Riding

• • • • Daily Strides Premium – Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
      • Connection – Private Virtual Online Lessons for Equestrians
      • Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons
      • Pivo Motion Tracking Software (*affiliate link for 10% off your purchase)

  Connect with Lorna online:-

• • • • Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
      • Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

 

50+ Ideas for 15 Minutes or Less with Your Horse - Download for Free HERE

As riders, we can often have a very negative association with tension. Yet, without it, neither you nor your horse would remain upright! Take away the tension and both of you will go limp and become a 'dead weight' immediately. So, instead of seeing tension as the enemy - it's key to begin reshaping your understanding and your 'practice' of tension. You must begin managing your tension.

Tension is absolutely 100% essential for both you and your horse. It's the presence of too much or excessive tension that causes the issues... 

Tension management is often called relaxation when it is related to horses and riding. And, just like tension, many riders don't really understand the concept of relaxation as it pertains to riding and training horses. I don't want to go too deep into relaxation today (there is a previous post and episode on that HERE).

What's important to understand about tension and relaxation is that it's not just about the horse. This principle is equally as important for the rider to understand and develop throughout their own body. 

In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I will help you to begin developing more tension management throughout your body by beginning with creating 'calm' for both you and your horse. You will do this through your own actions and thoughts while working with your horse.

Read Full Article & All Links HERE

https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1352-has-tension-been-holding-you-back-in-your-riding

 

The Energy Connection

There are so many different ways and exercises you can use to help develop a more positive energetic connection with your horse. If you're keen to find out more, join me for this free online training where I will give you exact exercises you can use to develop this with your horse.

You can register for free for The Energy Connection Webinar HERE

https://stridesforsuccess.com/energy

And, until then, take the time to 'feel' into your body. It will guide you as to where you are holding onto too much. Your intention will help you to release it - for both you and your horse.

Happy Riding Lorna

  Online Training to Help Your Riding

• • • • Daily Strides Premium – Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
      • Connection – Private Virtual Online Lessons for Equestrians
      • Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons
      • Pivo Motion Tracking Software (*affiliate link for 10% off your purchase)

  Connect with Lorna online:-

• • • • Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
      • Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

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

https://stridesforsuccess.com/15

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

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

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

Read the full article HERE

https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1351-15-minutes-or-less-with-your-horse-for-90-days

 

Your 15 Minutes or Less List

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

• https://stridesforsuccess.com/15

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

Happy Riding Lorna

Online Training to Help Your Riding

• • • • Daily Strides Premium - Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
      • Connection – Private Virtual Online Lessons for Equestrians
      • Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons
      • Pivo Motion Tracking Software (*affiliate link for 10% off your purchase)

Connect with Lorna online:-

• • • • Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
      • Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191