The canter to trot transition is the one transition that so many riders don’t ever think about until they are in the midst of it. So much focus and attention are put into getting into the canter, and yet the ‘getting out of the canter’ is just left to chance.   Today I want to give you a few ideas to work on, in the saddle, before you get into the canter that will help you begin riding a smoother and more ‘put together’ canter to trot transition.

For so many riders, the canter to trot transition is filled with bounce and general bumpiness.  And usually in a way that is not benefiting the rider or the horse.  I personally think that this is often due to the fact that the canter can and will improve the trot.

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Additional Resources to Help

• Setting Up Better Canter Transitions
• Straightness in the Canter
• Using Your Body to Effectively Influence The Canter
• The Original Returning to Riding Program
• Equestrian Fitness Challenge

The ‘New Normal’.  I feel as though we have reached a point where we must begin looking at how we can settle into this period in our lives, rather than wishing for the way things were.  You may have to become the trainer for you and your horse.  I know that many riders are having to now begin, maybe for the first time, be the trainer, the instructor, the chief planner, as well as the rider.   Progress doesn’t just happen.  There are a few essentials that must be consistently visited in order to maintain consistent progress.  Progress, I believe, is deepening the understanding and the relationship between horse and rider.  What you do with this progress is up to you.  However, I feel that all riders should be looking to at least try and build a conversation with their horse.   Here are the 5 essentials you must regularly visit if you are to make this a consistent reality for you and your horse…   Read More...

• Join Connection HERE
• Free Weeks Riding Plan HERE
• Free 2020 Equestrian Fitness Challenge
• My free online Facebook Community
• The Daily Strides Podcast

As equestrians, we may be at the point where we need to face up an uncomfortable truth; ‘normal’ may not be returning for quite a while.  Harsh, but true.  Simply put, I feel that this means that this is as good a time as any to begin settling in and making yourself comfortable with this 'new normal'.   For now, anyway.

The lives of so many riders have changed dramatically over the course of the past 90 or so days.  Things we took for granted have become coveted luxuries.

Time in the saddle is one of these things for many riders.  For others, it is being able to work with a trainer or instructor in order to keep developing and moving forward.

However, even in the midst of all this uncertainty, there are ways of making it work.  There are resources out there that, up until now, maybe you would have never considered.  You simply didn't have to!

But, in this 'new normal', these once unconventional resources are the very thing that will help you continue to improve and develop your skills as an equestrian.  And, help you to continue to develop your horse as well.

My Experience as an Online Equestrian Coach

I have been training and coaching riders online for seven years now.  Long before Zoom was a household name!  In that time I have discovered a few key areas that determine whether or not someone will benefit from online coaching.  That is what I want to share with you today.

If you are considering working with an online equestrian coach or trainer, see the following points as a checklist...  Check that you are ready to show up in all the areas mentioned and then make your decision based on that.

Read More... 

Other Resources and Links on this topic...

• Past Episode - Accountability in Your Riding
• Connection - my monthly online membership for equestrians
• Horse Riding Through COVID-19
• Free Weeks Riding Plan
• Free 2020 Equestrian Fitness Challenge
• Lunging for Riding
• Groundwork for Riding
• My free online Facebook Community
• The Daily Strides Podcast

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

Read More HERE...

The treadmill that you were on regarding your riding has stopped.  You need to consciously make the decision to step off of it!

Other Resources to Help:-

• Horse Riding Through COVID-19
• Gratitude Practice for Equestrians
• Free Weeks Riding Plan
• Free 2020 Equestrian Fitness Challenge
• ALL the Equestrian Fitness Challenges (2016 – 2020) 
• Lunging for Riding
• Groundwork for Riding
• Returning to Riding
• The Clarity & Confidence Riding Program
• My free online Facebook Community
• The Daily Strides Podcast

This is probably the first time in history that all equestrians find themselves grappling with the same thing. Something has changed for just about everyone.  Ironically it has nothing to do with horses and yet it is directly or indirectly impacting almost every rider...

Lockdowns, socially isolating, quarantine and social distancing have become terms that we all not only understand, but most of us have experience of implementing over the past weeks.  

Today, I want to specifically address riders who, right now, cannot get to visit or ride their horses. As frustrating and sad as this may be, all is not lost.

I believe that there are ways that you can use this time to really invest in your foundations as a rider. And all of this in order to come out the other side an even ‘better version’ of yourself.  Time is something you probably have an abundance of right now, so why not fill it with one of these activities?

Read More...

Additional Resources:-

• • • Free Weeks Riding Plan
    • Free 2020 Equestrian Fitness Challenge
    • ALL the Equestrian Fitness Challenges (2016 – 2020) 
    • Lunging for Riding
    • Groundwork for Riding
    • Returning to Riding
    • The Clarity & Confidence Riding Program
    • My free online Facebook Community
    • The Daily Strides Podcast

For many riders, part leasing, renting or sharing a horse is an affordable way to make horse riding possible. With the current turn of events around the globe, I think that many more riders will turn to this method of ‘horse ownership’ over the coming weeks and months.

However, having two or more people sharing a horse has its challenges. This is amplified even more if the riders are at different levels, have different styles or just different goals.

In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, you will learn a few simple processes you can use to make ‘part-leasing' not only feel good for you. But also, use it in a way that allows you, the other rider and the horse to continue to develop and make progress in your riding.

Read More...

Other Resources:-

• Free Full Weeks Riding Plan
• The FREE 2020 Equestrian Fitness Challenge
• Simplifying Your Plan when Working Two Horses (adapt to two riders!)
• ALL the Equestrian Fitness Challenges (2016 - 2020) 
• Lunging for Riding
• Groundwork for Riding
• Returning to Riding
• The Clarity & Confidence Riding Program
• My free online Facebook Community
• The Daily Strides Podcast

Things are moving fast.  There is an energy that seems blended with so much of what is happening right now, and it is not beneficial energy.  So, what can you, as an equestrian, do to get through this with grace and compassion?   Quite a few things actually.  Here are a few suggestions you can try over the coming weeks…   Read More...   Other resources to help in your riding:-

• Free Full Weeks Riding Plan
• The FREE 2020 Equestrian Fitness Challenge
• ALL the Equestrian Fitness Challenges (2016 - 2020) 
• Lunging for Riding
• Groundwork for Riding
• Returning to Riding
• The Clarity & Confidence Riding Program
• My free online Facebook Community

The canter can be confusing for many riders. Especially what to do with your seat in the canter. You’re told to ride the horse forward with your seat. But you’re then told to be ‘quiet’ with your seat… So which is it? And how can you begin to develop a more effective seat in the canter?

I think that canter is the gait that separates ‘fit’ riders from ‘unfit’ riders. It is definitely more difficult to fake strength and suppleness in the canter, hence a lot of riders having trouble with their seat to begin with in the gait. In order to really begin developing your seat, you need to first take responsibility for carrying your own body.

Read More HERE

More resources to help on this topic:-

• The Returning to Riding Program – Getting the Basics on Autopilot in Your Riding
• Equestrian Fitness Challenge
• Subscribe to the Daily Strides Podcast
• Join the free Strides for Success Online Community

Success has a rhythm. And, as an equestrian, I know that you know a fair bit about rhythm already. As riders, we spend a lot of our time, whether mindful or not, focusing on rhythm. It is one of the most basic principles when it comes to riding.

The ‘up downs’ in trot. Or the ‘1.2.3. Roll' in canter. Rhythm while on the ground. And the rhythm when working through different movements. Yes, rhythm is something we literally ride by every time we are in the saddle.

So it makes good sense to begin tapping into this same principle in order to develop your skills as a rider. To make progress in your training development when it comes to your horse.

READ MORE...

Additional resources to help with this topic:-

• Lunging for Riding 
• Groundwork for Riding
• My free online community 
• The Daily Strides Podcast

As I was creating my notes for this episode, it struck me that there is a strong probability that this sounds a lot like Goldilocks!  Too much, too little and ‘just right’ will come up repeatedly as I begin talking about your hands when you are riding.  Obviously, we are aiming to achieve ‘Goldilocks’ hands; just right!   But seriously, the reason I recorded this episode is due to so many riders struggling with their hands.  They are trying to improve contact and connection.  However, they are actually missing some of the basics of the hand aids.   And I think that making sure your hands are being useful, rather than confusing, is a really important basic that many riders are missing.   So, that all being said, let's dive into the 4 things that you may be doing with your hands while riding that is negatively influencing your conversation with your horse.   Read More...  

• The Returning to Riding Program
• Understanding the Balance of Aids
• Controlling Your Hands While Riding
• Your Independent Seat is a Result of Your Independent Aids
• Why 'Forward' is Essential for Contact
• Subscribe to the free Daily Strides Podcast
• The Free Strides for Success Online Community