Most riders think they're balanced, until something unexpected happens! This episode brings you back to one simple, brutally honest test:

If your horse disappeared beneath you right now, would you land on your feet?

That's the Click-Your-Fingers Rule. It's the fastest way to check if you're actually carrying yourself, or letting your horse carry you. This matters because when you rely on your horse for balance, EVERYTHING gets harder. Your transitions are 'less than' great, leg position goes for a ball and the overall communicate between horse and rider breaks down.

But when YOU take responsibility for your position, you immediately become clearer, more stable, and more influential in the saddle.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What the Click-Your-Fingers rule actually means in practice

• Why head–shoulder–hip–heel alignment still matters (and where most riders go wrong)

• How your seat affects EVERYTHING, including your horse's back

• Why relying on the horse for balance blocks progress

• How to apply this rule in transitions, jumping, AND hacking

This rule holds up anywhere; walk, trot, canter, transitions, hills, jumps. If you'd land on your feet, you're in business. If not, you've just found your next training focus ;)

Ready to go deeper? Inside Connection, we take this concept off the page and into your actual riding, helping you build an independent seat that works with your horse, not against them.

For the coming 3 months inside of our online membership, we're dedicating our work to developing a reliable, effective half-halts, from the foundations upward. Includes audio riding lessons, live group lessons, monthly planning + review sessions, and more. Join here → https://stridesforsuccess.com/join

⭐ Restart & Reschool: Private Coaching

Get personalised guidance to retrain your horse or rebuild your own skills with confidence and clarity. Details → https://stridesforsuccess.com/rr

⭐ Your Signature Ride Challenge

A fun, simple way to build awareness of your seat and leg aids — and start communicating more clearly with your horse. Learn more + join → https://stridesforsuccess.com/ride

⭐ The Daily Strides Podcast Online Community

A free space to continue the conversation, ask questions, and share your riding progress with likeminded riders. Join here → https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast

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✅ Connect With Lorna

Website: https://stridesforsuccess.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/stridesforsuccess YouTube: https://youtube.com/@stridesforsuccess