Libsyn Directory

5 Ways to Improve Your Riding When You’re Working Alone

Release Date: 05/07/2025

Sunday Strides: What Pattern Are You Practicing (Without Realising It)?

Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

So often, riders practice their riding without ever realising what they’re actually reinforcing. And more often than not, it’s the exact habits or tension patterns that are holding them back... In this episode of Sunday Strides, we’re talking about the unconscious patterns that sneak into your riding. Whether it’s physical (like tension in your left side) or mental (like self-doubt or over-analysis), these patterns become the default if we don’t intentionally interrupt them. You’ll hear a real-life example of a rider who changed everything with just one tweak in her lesson, and how...

[Encore] Strides Revisited: Learning to Wait for the Jump (Originally Ep #1031)

Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

Have you ever felt like you and your horse just aren’t meeting the jump together? You see the fence, you’ve chosen your line… and yet, right at the last stride, things fall apart. More often than not, the issue isn’t your horse... It’s your timing. In this replay of Episode 1031: Learning to Wait for the Jump, we dive into one of the most common challenges riders face: jumping ahead of their horse. When you tip forward too soon, your horse can feel dropped, lose confidence, and start refusing or ducking out. The good news? A simple shift in your position and timing can completely...

[Encore] Strides Revisited: Why Your Position While Lunging is Everything (Originally Ep #1073)

Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

Lunging is one of the most underestimated training tools riders have at their disposal. Yet so many riders miss the key ingredient that makes lunging truly effective; your position! In this Strides Revisited episode, you’ll discover how where you stand in relation to your horse can make the difference between “going nowhere slowly” on the circle and having a clear, forward, focused training session. This conversation ties directly into what we’ve been talking about this week on the podcast. That, often, one small perspective shift can unlock a massive breakthrough in your riding...

Your Riding Breakthrough Might Just Be One Perspective Shift Away

Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the “right things” in the saddle, and yet your horse still doesn’t seem to get the memo? Maybe they won’t go forward, maybe they cut in on the circle, or maybe they just find clever ways to avoid what you’re asking. In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I’m sharing why the problem often isn’t the exercise you’re doing… but the perspective you’re coming from. Sometimes a small perspective shift can be the key to your next riding breakthrough. I’ll walk you through real-life examples from riders I’ve worked with in...

[Encore] Strides Revisited: When Halt Becomes More than Just Stopping Your Horse... (Originally Ep #1203)

Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

Most riders think of the halt as simply… stopping. Pull the reins, horse stops - job done. But what if I told you that each halt you ride could be one of the most powerful training tools you have? That, with a little intention, your halts could improve your balance, posture, communication... And your horse’s focus, engagement, and responsiveness? In this Strides Revisited episode, we’re heading back to a favourite from August 2021 to help you see the halt in a whole new light. We’ll explore: Why the halt should be treated like a movement, not a full stop The difference between a...

Sunday Strides: The Secret Is Doing It Again… And Again

Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

Ever feel like if you didn’t get it right the first time, it must not be for you? This week's Sunday Strides is your reminder that confidence isn't born from perfection; it’s built through repetition. So many riders get discouraged when things don’t go well on the first try. But what if showing up again (and again) is exactly what’s required? In this short pep talk, I’m sharing why the real breakthroughs happen after the first awkward, messy attempts, and how committing to repeat with intention is the secret to true progress with your horse. Whether you're learning a new skill,...

[Encore] Strides Revisited: Creating a Program for Your OTTB or Ex-Racehorse (Originally Ep #1111)

Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

Have you recently welcomed an OTTB (Off-the-Track Thoroughbred) into your life, only to feel overwhelmed by where to even begin? This episode is all about helping you build a solid foundation for your ex-racehorse. Whether your Thoroughbred just left the track or has been with you for a while, this episode will guide you through how to create a clear, step-by-step plan to move forward confidently in your training. Ex-racehorses are incredibly athletic, intelligent, and versatile, but those same qualities can make retraining feel confusing or frustrating if you don’t have a system in place....

Why You’re Still Not Riding Like You Want To (And What to Do About It This Week)

Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

Are you stuck in that cycle of wanting to ride… But not actually riding the way you want? Or maybe you’re not riding at all right now, even though the tack, the horse, and the arena are all sitting there, waiting for you?! In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians, we’re getting honest about the real reason so many riders stall out in their progress. (Spoiler alert: it’s not motivation.) I’m walking you through a simple 4-step process to get back into the saddle, or back into the right kind of saddle time... This week. Yes, this week! This process works...

Sunday Strides: Needing Support Doesn't Mean That You're Less Capable

Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

In this episode of Sunday Strides, we're exploring a common, but quietly damaging, belief many riders hold: “If I was truly capable, I wouldn’t need help.” Whether you’ve just begun leasing, you’re training solo, or you’ve always dreamed of being an independent rider, today’s message is for you. I share why needing support doesn’t make you any less capable… In fact, it often means you’re getting closer to your next breakthrough. And I gently redefine what guidance really is: not control or correction, but structure, perspective, and encouragement, especially when you’re...

[Encore] Strides Revisited: 3 Things You Must Work on to Become a Better Rider (Originally Ep #1185)

Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

Have you ever tried something during a lesson and nailed it. Only to fall flat the next time you rode on your own?! In this episode, we’re revisiting a powerful conversation around confidence, communication, and the three essential elements of becoming a better rider: emotional, mental, and physical development. Confidence isn’t something you magically have or don’t. It’s something you can build, and sometimes even borrow. Whether you're retraining an OTTB, restarting after time out of the saddle, or simply trying to improve on your own, this episode will help you take...

More Episodes

If you’re a rider working without a trainer or instructor, this episode is for you. Because yes - you can absolutely improve your riding while training alone.

In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, we’re moving on from our Rider Basics series by getting deeper into strategies to use when riding alone. Today, we're diving into five simple yet powerful strategies that will help you make consistent progress, even when you're riding by yourself.

These tips are practical, accessible, and completely doable — whether you're in a proper arena or just making the most of your back paddock.

🐎 In This Episode You’ll Learn:

✅ Why having a riding plan - even a 5-minute one - changes everything
✅ How to coach yourself in the saddle using verbal cues and mental narration
✅ The power of using visual markers (cones, poles, even buckets!) to develop accuracy and awareness
✅ How recording yourself riding — even once a week — can accelerate your progress
✅ A simple post-ride reflection process that builds consistency and momentum over time

Each of these tools works together to help you become more intentional, aware, and confident in the saddle - even when there's no one watching.

🎯 Why This Episode Matters

Many riders feel like they have to work with a trainer to see real improvement. But the truth is, some of your most powerful progress happens when you start taking responsibility for your own training.

By riding with intention, seeking feedback (even from a smartphone camera!), and reflecting regularly, you create a sustainable system for rider growth and better horse training.

These habits don’t just help you ride better — they build confidence, trust, and clarity in every session.

🎥 Coming Up Next…

This episode is the perfect lead-in to next week’s conversation, where we dive deeper into how to use video to improve your riding - without falling into perfectionism or overwhelm.

Whether you're brand new to video or already using tech like Pivo, I’ll show you how to get the most out of your recordings in the most confidence-building way possible.

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:

✨ Want to Keep Improving Your Riding?

You don’t need more hours in the saddle - you need more intention and a plan in every ride.

Inside Daily Strides Premium, you’ll get access to:

✅ Weekly audio horse riding lessons
✅ Live group lessons & feedback
✅ Fortnightly review and planning sessions
✅ Monthly Q&As
✅ All the support and structure you need to ride with purpose — even if you’re working alone

👉 Click Here to Join or Learn More

🐴 Let’s Chat!

Which of the 5 strategies from today’s episode do you already use? Which one will you try this week?

Come share your insights and reflections inside the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community - we’d love to hear from you!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast

🐎 In This Episode You’ll Learn:

🎯 Why This Episode Matters

🎥 Coming Up Next…

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:

✨ Want to Keep Improving Your Riding?

🐴 Let’s Chat!

TOPICS