Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

If you have even been at the other end of a lunge line to a horse who is adamant to show you exactly how fast he can go on a circle… You will know all about 'that' feeling!  The one where every fiber of your being is screaming at you to 'stop the horse'.  And yet, it feels like there is absolutely nothing you can do!   Intentionally mixing cantering and lunging together is not for the faint of hea...

Do you have days where, after you get home, sit down, and think over the day's events, you think to yourself "Why did I react like that?!"?  I know I do, even now.  I find that if I allow my emotions to run things, the chances of everything turning out exactly as I would have two chances. Slim and none!  This is why I began, a few years ago now, creating planned responses in my riding. Simply put,...

There are some things that many of us simply accept in life.  Rainy days. Horsehair is everywhere in Spring. The rhythm in the canter.  And yet, while we cannot change the weather (okay, debatable) and we definitely cannot get around the necessary loss of the winter coat… The Rhythm in the canter is definitely something we can have a more positive influence over when we ride – rather than simply a...

Isn't it amazing how so many riders just seem to 'know' what will happen each time they ride? They have certain expectations that, almost magically, seem to always come true for them. Unfortunately, the keywords in that sentence are 'for them'. I see time and again how riders, regardless of what is really happening, will define each ride based on their beliefs and expectations. And, for most of th...

All riders can be put into one of two categories when it comes to the canter… Those who can move their seat in the canter with their horse – and those who can't. This is a bitter pill to swallow for those on the 'can't' side of the fence.  And yet, it is something that they would secretly love to be able to do. Having the ability to control your seat in the canter completely changes how much influ...

The canter and using groundpoles; as the song goes, these are a few of my favorite things! And I especially love how, with a few well-placed and simple groundpoles, the canter can begin to become more intentional, rhythmic, and balanced. The added bonus is that so does the rider… So, that being said, let's improve the canter for you and your horse… Today, I want to give you a few simple, easy to f...

Hours and hours… This is how long most riders devote each week to developing and training their horse. And yet, many riders fail to realize that they are the 'cap' on their horse's further progress. Eventually, your effectiveness as a rider will determine what your horse can actually do with all the training you devote to him or her… So it makes good sense to spend time each week thinking about, p...

Let's be honest; many riders don't really long for a 'better trot' in their riding.  In fact, most are quite happy to simply work with what they already have right now and see the trot as a filler.  A part of the ride that gets you from one thing to the next. And trotting, by its very nature, doesn't really help change this! The rhythm can often have a slightly hypnotic effect on riders.  Lulling...

It can seem like a strange topic for many OTTB riders and owners. One that, initially, may not seem all that important.  And yet, for many OTTBs, the lack of boundaries is the number one frustration.  And, it is something that can eventually undermine the whole relationship between horse and rider. Setting boundaries requires that both you and your horse are part of a conversation about what is ac...

It is easy to forget that, before coming to you, your OTTB has had many different expectations placed on him or her.  A lot of their current behavior is a result of this early and consistent conditioning they received while in training on the track. One of the greatest responsibilities we have when working with a retired racehorse is to help them understand that what's now expected of them has cha...

The key to a good quality trot is to remember that your horse must be moving forwards at all times. I call this forwardness in the trot.  This is not to be mistaken for running, rushing, or jig-jogging.  True forwardness requires that you, the rider and decision-maker, must be thinking forwards throughout your ride… And, in this case, in the trot itself. And yet, forwardness in the trot is often o...

Planning.  I love making plans.  They are always so exciting to create, but often fail to deliver the necessary results when we try to act on them. This is usually because we are not planning correctly when it comes to our rides. This is a system you can use to help you plan your months in your riding that will help you move things along… This episode of the Daily Strides Podcast has been plucked...

There are hundreds, even thousands, of different exercises we can ride when schooling our horses. Often riders think that they have to get more and more complicated with their exercises in order to make progress in their riding.  However, I personally believe that, for the most part, simple works better. In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I want to show you how to work on the same exerc...

How could becoming more intentional and creative with your warming up transform your riding? After all, it is something that you do every time you ride, right?! If you were to do one thing this month that has the potential to ripple into all the months hereafter where your riding is concerned; becoming intentional about your warming up might just be the thing.  This episode of the Daily Strides Po...

Circles; for something that we spend so much time 'doing' with our horses, many riders are more than a little confused when it comes to how to ride a circle.  And while the basic 'riding a circle' is fairly simple and most all riders can manage, the issue of riding a well-balanced, good quality, well-maintained, circle is what leaves many riders feeling more than a little stumped. How to ride a ci...

It is probably the most ridden shape for most riders, the trusty circle.  And yet, a lot of circles are uninteresting, uninspiring, and (if we're being completely honest here) a total waste of time for you and your horse.   When ridden with a little intention and purpose, the trusty circle can become one of the greatest ways to develop your horse and improve your skills.   Here are 3 exercises you...

What does your average ride or training session with your horse look like?  Do you have a riding routine that you follow? If yours is leaning towards, or if it already is, a little too predictable; maybe it's time for a change?  While riding the same sequence often can sometimes be beneficial to your riding and training (more on that later), for the most part, it will only help habits to creep in....

What goes up, must come down.  For every upward transition you ride with your horse, you will follow it, at some point, with a downward transition.  For many riders, these can prove a little more complex to balance. Having to prepare and then guide both yourself and your horse 'downwards', while continuing to maintain forwardness, tension, and energy... It can feel more like falling into, rather t...

How well do you ride upward transitions?  For many riders, it can feel a little frustrating and ironic how many of them are anything but 'upward' as far as energy and lightness go!  In fact, sometimes they can feel quite the opposite, flat. Upward transitions are part and parcel of every single ride you do with your horse.  From the 'halt to walk' one immediately after mounting up, to all of the o...

Many riders have a desire to school and develop their own horse. Yet, a lot of these riders don't actually know what horse riding skills they need in order to make this a reality.  The fact of the matter is that you are always training your horse. Every single interaction. Through your actions, intentional or not, you are always communicating to your horse.  Telling him about what is allowed and w...

What would happen to your riding if you began to put a little more effort and intention into each warm up?  Many riders are literally setting a timer for each warm up.  5 minutes of walking, followed by some trotting and maybe a canter or three... Your warm up is a way to set the tone of the whole conversation with your horse.  Whether that is a groundwork session, a lunging session, a ride in the...

There is an energy that we experience when we are out on the trail with our horses. It can feel like an added enthusiasm from both horse and rider.  And, maybe, blended with the thought of unlimited possibilities. Whatever the reason for it, as riders we can begin to use this energy to develop our horse's training and our own riding skills.  Things that were perhaps feeling flat, or sticky when wo...

Not having a designated space to ride in, like an arena, can often feel like a big disadvantage.  If you have been riding in an open field or been confined to roads for any length of time, you'll probably know what I mean! However, while an arena does help with some aspects of riding, having no arena will also force you to think outside of the box. And this literal 'out of the box' thinking when a...

Do you want to improve your riding skills, and yet finding more time to spend in the saddle feels an impossible task right now.  More time in the saddle means an even more 'busy' schedule! Or, perhaps, you're experiencing the other side of this coin; you're riding all of the hours, but you're not actually seeing any improvement? It is important to remember that riding alone won't improve your skil...

It's a big question, and it's a question that so many riders wonder about.  "Can I train my horse, alone?".  For many riders, they will answer this question with another one; "An I a 'good enough' rider?".   There are millions of riders all over the world, all with different combinations of skills and talents; being a 'good' rider is relative! However, if you want to begin truly working with and t...