Sunday Strides: Become Curious about Q4 and What You Can Do
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Release Date: 09/28/2025
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Your Energy Begins the Conversation From the moment your horse becomes aware of you, before any halter, tack, or aids, the conversation has already started. In this episode, we explore how your energy sets the tone for the entire interaction. Whether it's calm, chaotic, focused, or distracted, your energy speaks louder than your words or actions. Suggested Reflection: Pause before you approach your horse. Ask yourself: What energy am I bringing into this space? Intentional Stillness as a Training Tool Doing “nothing” might be the most impactful thing you do this week. We often think...
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You’re in the arena. It’s just you and your horse. No trainer. No instructor. Just the two of you - riding alone. This probably wasn’t the plan, yet here you are. And if you’re like most riders, it’s not the riding alone that’s the problem... It’s what tends to creep in when you do: You lose motivation You skip the structure Progress stalls (or feels non-existent!) Boredom shows up You start questioning everything And before you know it, you’re wondering if you’re going backwards This week’s Strides Revisited episode goes back to the heart of riding...
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Whether you're training your own horse or simply trying to get back into the saddle more consistently, planning when riding alone can feel like a guessing game. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to use your own riding review to create focused, doable 1 to 2 week plans that actually move your riding and training forward. We’ll cover: What to include in your review (and why timing matters) The 3 planning traps most riders fall into (and how to avoid them) How to choose your one priority that will create the most progress Building in practice, progress, and pauses for lasting...
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How well do you really know your horse? Not just how he feels under saddle, but how he is when you're not riding? This week on Sunday Strides, I’m inviting you to do something simple, but powerful. You're going to spend a few minutes each day checking your horse’s vitals. Why? Because when something feels “off,” knowing what’s normal helps you act fast, give your vet accurate information, and be the advocate your horse needs. No riding required. No lunging. Just you, your horse, and a little extra attention. Here's Your Challenge for the Week: ✅ Take your horse’s temperature...
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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. ...
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Have you ever felt your horse suddenly “drop out” from underneath you? It can feel like his back becomes a little shallow underneath you, his head and neck lift, energy is usually lost... And things become REALLY jarring and disconnected! If so, you've likely experienced your horse becoming hollow. It’s uncomfortable, frustrating, and honestly, it can feel like the whole arse has just fallen out of your ride! In this episode, we’re unpacking: What hollowness really is Why it happens (there are 3 big culprits) How to begin retraining your horse so the back engages again ...
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“Make the plan… but stay supple in your approach.” In this short and sweet Sunday episode, Lorna shares a real-life moment from the past week where sticking to the plan just wasn’t going to work. What started as a flatwork session in the arena quickly turned into a very different kind of ride; one that ended up being even more impactful. Because sometimes… The plan isn’t wrong. But the timing is. Here’s What You’ll Hear: Why tension can derail even the best-laid training plans How to tell when it’s time to change your session on the fly A simple way to “reset the...
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Few things feel as unsettling as when your horse suddenly whips around and bolts. It can knock your confidence quickly, especially if it becomes a repeated habit. This episode explores why it happens and practical ways to help your horse stay with you mentally and emotionally so you can both relax on your rides again. Key Takeaways Spinning usually starts from fear, not “naughtiness.” Your job is to help your horse feel safe & supported. Clear boundaries and calm leadership matter. If he begins to spin, gently interrupt the pattern and guide him back the way he came. Look...
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If you’ve ever wondered why your half halt isn’t working, you’re not alone. The half halt is one of the most commonly referenced tools in riding, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood! In this episode, we strip away the confusion and break down what the half halt actually is, what it isn’t, how to tell if your half halt worked, and what to do when it doesn’t deliver the rebalancing and clarity you were hoping for. Whether you’re a newer rider or you’ve been in the saddle for years, this conversation will help you simplify your approach and start getting more consistent...
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Ever find yourself clicking "add to cart" on another shiny new piece of tack or training tool, hoping this one will fix it all? In this week’s Sunday Strides episode, we’re calling it like it is… What are the last five things you bought for your horse… And are they actually helping you get where you want to go? Lorna’s walking you through a quick Sunday mindset reset that might just challenge how you approach your riding and training this week. Spoiler alert: it's not about gear, it’s about getting back to the basics and using what you already have… Your natural aids. What...
info_outlineWhat if the final quarter of the year was the perfect time to quietly experiment with what's next?
In this week's Sunday Strides, Lorna invites you to rethink the end of the year, not as a time to wind down, but as a chance to try things on. To become curious about what your riding could look like in 2026 by gently testing the waters now, while the pressure is low and the possibilities are wide open.
Whether you're considering a new goal, working on connection, or coming back to riding after time off, this short episode will help you use Q4 as a quiet launchpad for big future wins with your horse.
“What would it look like to experiment now, so you enter January with real clarity and momentum already built?”
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
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Why October, November & December are a great time to experiment in your riding
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How curiosity (not pressure) can drive more consistent, joyful progress
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Ways to start lightly testing your 2026 riding goals now, without overwhelm
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How to avoid the “goal-setting trap” of waiting until January to figure it all out
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The power of laying foundations now, so you’re ready to fly in the new year
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Ready to Start Aligning Your Practice with Your Progress?
Here are a few resources to support you this week:
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🎁 Free Training – How to Turn Your Phone Into Your Riding Instructor**
Get better results from every session—without needing a coach in the arena! -
💬 Connection Membership https://stridesforsuccess.com/join
Weekly live lessons and training, private podcast feed, and support to help you ride with purpose. Monthly themes keep you aligned and moving forward. -
🐴 Restart & Reschool Private Coaching https://stridesforsuccess.com/rr
Want help identifying and fixing the habits holding you and your horse back? Work 1-to-1 with me to move from stuck to progress.
And if you’re looking for something more relaxed and casual, come join me and my sister Emma-Jane over on our second podcast Equine’n’Wine!
We talk horses, riding life, and everything in between.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/equinenwine/id1832643897