Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

One of the fun things about canter is the 'moment of suspension'.  Except when this 'moment' applies to the rider, not just the horse!  Yes, there is a moment when the horse will be 'off' the ground; suspended in midair.  However, we definitely don't want you to experience this bouncing in the canter. Becoming airborne whenever your horse strides in the canter is no fun!  And the 'land' when you c...

Getting into the canter can be a challenge! For so many riders the transition into the canter can be a truly bumpy, hair-raising, rushed, and flat experience.  There is none of the upward, poised, clean, and intentional 1 that leads to the 2, 3 for the canter stride. It is just a matter of creating enough momentum with a flat, running trot to finally, eventually, fall into the canter. Not good!  B...

What stops riders from getting back in the saddle after a break? Returning to riding. I mean, if it was as easy as simply mounting up, everyone would do it, right? And yet, everyone doesn't. In fact, so many riders sit on the sidelines of their proverbial horse-riding dream, forever wishing and waiting for the day to arrive when they will mount back up again. But that day, for many, never arrives....

Horse riding is essentially about how we can communicate with our horses – while riding our horses. However, as riders, in order to be effective we need to first master some basic coordination. And therein lies the challenge! It is often this part of communication, the one between our brains and our bodies, that can cause the greatest issues when it comes to our effectiveness when in the saddle. R...

Arena markers are a great tool when working on improving specific things in our riding. Whether it be rhythm and stride length. Or shapes of movements and shapes...  Using strategically placed markers can really improve the overall quality of the work you do with your horse.  However, just like all of the other artificial aids, we can sometimes become a little too dependent on arena markers in our...

There is a tendency for riders to 'hold' a little too much during the downward transitions.  And while the half halt is essential to the preparation and transition itself... Too much can lead to a very 'stuck' feeling when the horse actually makes it into the new gait!  A little like 'stuck in the mud'. In this episode, I am releasing a Connection Bonus Live Call from June 2021.  This is due to my...

A few months ago, I really felt the burden of guilt on my soul…  And during that time, my 'whine' was fairly constant; "I don't have time to ride!' Now, it is not lost on me the fact that I created all of this guilt myself. You see, whenever I was doing one thing, I was feeling like I 'should' have been doing something else. So, when I was with 'The Boys' (my children) I felt guilty because I ' sh...

Can I tell you something funny?  Years ago, before I had children, I was one of 'those' people. You know the ones that say "when I have children, I will have them at the stables with me all the time because nothing will change".  I usually followed it up with something offhand like "they will fit in with my schedule".  Ha, ha, ha!! Oh, how naive it was back then! If you are trying to juggle horse...

Have you ever fallen into the trap of trying to actually get your horse to canter? It's a sneaky one that hides in plain sight. And it is an exhausting one as well. The good news is that you're not alone! Over the years, I have seen so many riders make this mistake. Because trying to make your horse canter, and asking your horse to canter are two completely different things… And the latter, asking...

I bet that you still remember the day you made your first 'big' equestrian-related purchase.  Whether that was a helmet, a saddle, a horse, or a property, it's a special time for all riders.  And of course, all of the 'big ones' that come after that are equally as memorable. The same applies to your riding.  That feeling when you 'finally' understood the canter and how to move with your horse – ra...

A lack of patience is something that many riders feel shame about. I was one of those riders for many years, so I know full well how it feels. The initial frustration, the following swift judgment or potential explosion, and then the guilt that happens afterward. Let's be honest, coming out the other side from losing your patience is rarely a good place to be! And yet, for years I simply believed...

Riding a nervous horse is one thing… Feeling less than confident about your own abilities while on your horse is quite another. Imagine it, up there, on your horse. He is beginning to get a little 'jumpy'. Let's be honest, so are you… Doubts are beginning to creep in and your thoughts are heading in a direction you would rather that they didn't go… Building confidence in your abilities to both han...

For many riders, posture is something that they rarely think a whole lot about. It's a basic that you 'set and forget'. Meaning, you figure out what it is and how it feels, and then you are diligent in putting it onto autopilot. Which then frees you up to focus on other things. And this works well; until it doesn't… Transitions, particularly between gaits, have this special ability to shine a spot...

What is it about a swinging lower leg that makes it so annoying for riders, horses, and trainers the world over?! I mean, everyone has their specific 'riding issues' and deals with them accordingly. And yet, a swinging lower leg has the potential to have riders stuck on a plateau forever! I don't need to tell you how important it is to have a secure lower leg when riding. It is vital for the safet...

Your hands are an aid in your riding. So understanding why the way you hold your reins and how to judge the height of your hands when riding is important. And realizing how much your hand aids are impacting and affecting your riding can change everything.   As riders, one of the first things we learn is how to 'hold' the reins.  However, often the 'why' behind all of this is never really explained...

Has fear or lack of confidence ever held you back in your riding? If so, you will know how debilitating this can be.  Sometimes it's caused by a past experience. Or it can be created when we think of all the things that 'can' potentially happen.   Whatever the cause, I think that it is important to recognize that this particular challenge won't simply vanish on its own.  Sure, sometimes it can see...

"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...

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 y...

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 conund...

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 jum...

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 thi...

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 tra...

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...

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 thei...

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...