Are You Training or Retraining? Why Figuring This Out Changes Everything
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Release Date: 07/02/2025
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineEver feel like you’re working so hard in the saddle… but nothing’s changing?
In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians, we’re exploring the key difference between training and retraining, and why understanding this shift can unlock your next breakthrough.
Whether you're working with an OTTB, returning to riding after a break, or helping your horse transition to a new job or discipline, this concept will help you see the real reason progress feels slow (or stuck).
We’ll cover:
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How to tell if you’re training or retraining (for both you and your horse)
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Why retraining is more emotionally charged and what that means in practice
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The 5 signs you're stuck in a retraining loop
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Why unlearning is just as important as learning in your riding journey
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Practical ways to move forward, including how to use video and coaching to shorten your progress path
This episode is your invitation to pause, reassess, and choose the right strategy, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
What You’ll Learn 🐴:
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What makes retraining harder than training (and why that’s okay!)
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How emotional habits in horses and riders impact progress
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Why that recurring issue might be a retraining challenge, not a new training need
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Real-life rider and horse examples you’ll probably recognize
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How to use the 5-question “Training or Retraining” test to figure out your next steps
Read the full post and get all the links at:- https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1373-are-you-training-or-retraining/
🎯 Ready to Get Support?
🌟 Restart & Reschool Private Coaching
If you’ve realised you're stuck in a retraining loop, whether it's you, your horse, or both, it’s time to stop second-guessing and get real support.
Restart & Reschool is a 13-week private coaching experience designed to help you confidently retrain, reschool, and move forward with a plan that works in real life.
You’ll get:
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Private virtual lessons
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Video feedback between sessions
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A clear weekly structure
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Unlimited support via private message directly from Lorna
👉 Learn more here and grab one of the limited spots.
🎥 Free Guide: How to Use Video in Your Riding
Video can completely change the way you train and retrain. But only if you know how to use it properly!
Grab this free guide to start recording your rides, reviewing them like a coach, and spotting the patterns that are slowing you down.
Bonus: If you're using a Pivo, you’ll also get tips to set it up for solo training success!
Download your free guide at https://stridesforsuccess.com/video
👯♀️ Join the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community
Want to keep the conversation going with like-minded riders from around the world?
Come and join the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community on Facebook.
You’ll find support, encouragement, and conversations that keep you moving forward, plus weekly inspiration to keep your riding on track.
❤️ Love the Episode?
If this episode helped you think differently about your riding or your horse's training, I’d be so grateful if you could:
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Subscribe so you never miss a new episode
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Leave a rating or review to help more riders find it
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Share it with a friend who might be stuck in the same retraining loop and needs a little boost!