Timing Is Everything: Finding the Sweet Spot for Half Halts
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Release Date: 09/30/2025
You Can't Control Your Horse - But You Can Influence
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Have you ever felt like if you stopped managing every little detail in the saddle, the whole ride would fall apart? Maybe your horse gets a little quick in trot. Maybe they lose balance, rush, lean, or wobble. And before you know it, you are shortening the reins, squeezing more, holding more, and trying to fix every stride. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into a big truth many riders need to hear; you cannot control your horse, but you can absolutely influence them! This episode is all about the difference between control and influence in your riding...
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Why Self-Carriage Matters More Than Most Riders Realise
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
A lot of riders think they need a better outline, smoother transitions, or a horse who feels more “together”… But underneath all of that is a deeper question:- Can your horse maintain their own body without you micromanaging every stride? In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians, we’re diving into why self-carriage matters so much more than most riders realise, and why it has very little to do with head position, 'frames', or how your horse looks on the outside. Because, let's face it; if you are constantly having to hold everything together, balance every stride,...
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Sunday Strides:- Mental Suppleness; The Identity Shift That Unlocks Better Riding
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Letting go is hard. Especially when what you’re letting go of feels like who you are. In this episode of Sunday Strides, Lorna explores the idea of mental suppleness as a rider; and why it’s just as important as physical suppleness in the saddle. Because sometimes the very thing holding you back isn’t your horse, your skill, or your circumstances… It’s the identity you’re clinging to! Connection Membership Join a growing community of riders from around the world who are building consistent progress in the saddle, often without riding more. Inside Connection, you'll get access to...
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Letting Go to Level Up - The Messy Middle in Horse Riding
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Have you ever started working toward something new in your riding where you intially felt excited, motivated, and ready to do the work... Only to realise halfway through that you might have bitten off more than you can chew?! If so, welcome to the messy middle! In this episode, we’re diving into the phase of growth that most riders experience, but many allow to keep them stuck - and even turn back! It’s the point where: Things feel worse before they feel better Your horse doesn’t look as “pretty” as before Your aids feel awkward Communication gets a little...
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Sunday Strides:- A Challenge for the Week with Your Horse
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
One Pole = Endless Possibilities. Why do we overcomplicate our riding, when often the biggest breakthroughs come from doing less?! In this episode of Sunday Strides, Lorna challenges you to strip things right back. No fancy setups. No complicated grids. No elaborate plans. Just one pole, placed on the ground, and a willingness to get creative. Back to Basics to Move Forward Inside this quarter, the theme is ground poles. But instead of building complex exercises, Lorna suggests starting with the simplest possible version: a single pole. Because when you remove the overwhelm, you create space...
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Are You Bracing when Working with Your Horse?
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
What happens when you expect the worst in your riding? More often than not, you brace! And when you brace, your horse feels it. In this episode, I’m diving into what bracing when working with your horse really looks like (physically, mentally, and emotionally), why it quietly blocks connection and suppleness, and how it can accidentally teach your horse to anticipate tension before anything has even happened. If you’ve ever: Gripped before asking for canter Tightened your reins when another horse whinnied Held your breath during transitions Expected things to go wrong before they...
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A 10-Minute Riding Plan to Keep You Riding When Life Gets Busy
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Life doesn’t always leave space for long, luxurious rides, but that doesn’t mean your riding has to slide backwards. In this episode, Lorna shares a simple, intentional 10-minute riding plan that keeps you connected, consistent, and moving forward with your horse… Even when everything else feels chaotic. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t have time for a proper ride,” this episode will show you how to make the most of the time you do have, and why short, focused riding sessions often create more progress than long, unfocused ones. In This Episode, You’ll Learn…...
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Going Slow to Speed Up – Your Riding Questions Answered
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Slowing down in your riding can feel frustrating, especially when you’re eager to move forward or feel like you “should” be doing more. In this episode, I’m answering the most common questions riders sent in after last week’s conversation and showing you how slow, steady work creates real, lasting progress for both you and your horse. We’ll cover: Where to begin when slowing things down (and why groundwork is the missing step for most riders) How to tell the difference between thinking forward and rushing so you know what’s actually improving Why your first attempt at slow work...
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What You’re Not Willing to Do in Order to Improve Your Riding
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
If you’ve ever felt like things in the saddle are either happening at 100km/h with you just hanging on, or your horse feels like the handbrake will not release no matter how you ask... This episode is for you! Today, we’re diving into the uncomfortable truth that keeps so many riders stuck: not being willing to slow down in order to go faster later. We’re stripping everything back to the foundational communication between you and your horse, the mindset of forwardness, and rebuilding from the beginning in a way that actually works. Whether your horse feels like a rocket with a mind of...
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Sunday Strides:- The Quiet Power of Simply Being With Your Horse
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...
info_outlineHave you ever asked for a half halt and felt, well, nothing? Or maybe your horse slammed on the brakes instead of rebalancing?
If so, you’re definitely not alone. Many riders either skip using half halts altogether or feel like they’re just not working. But here’s the truth; it’s rarely about your ability or your horse’s willingness to listen. It’s about timing.
In this episode, we’re breaking down why timing makes or breaks your half halts, and how you can start improving yours this week with a simple exercise.
💬 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
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Why timing matters more than strength or frequency in your half halts
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The three biggest mistakes riders make (and how to fix them)
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Why lunging your horse can help you see timing clearly before you have to feel it in the saddle
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A simple way to start refining your timing, even if you’re riding alone
🐴 Key Takeaway:
Your half halt isn’t about “doing more.” It’s about doing the right thing at the right time. When your timing improves, your horse understands you more easily, your communication feels lighter, and everything starts to flow.
🎧 Listen Now To Discover:
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How to stop “nagging” your horse with constant micro half halts
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The real reason your half halt feels too strong (hint: it’s often late)
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How lunging reveals the exact stride moment when your horse can rebalance
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Why great riders make half halts look invisible — and how you can too
⚡ This Week’s Challenge: The Your Signature Ride Challenge
If you’re ready to improve your timing in a fun, low-pressure way, join the Your Signature Ride Challenge. You’ll use your seat and leg aids to “write” your name in the arena while developing clearer timing and connection.
It’s free to join, and you’ll get a guided audio lesson to help you through it, plus the chance to win 3 months of Connection (valued at $66)!
👉 Join here: https://stridesforsuccess.com/ride
🌿 Want to Go Deeper?
Inside Connection, we’re spending the next three months exploring half halts in depth.
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October: Half Halts on the Lunge
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November: Half Halts Under Saddle
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December: Refining the Feel
You’ll join live group lessons, guided audio sessions, and Q&As, all focused on helping you master this fundamental skill.
👉 Join Connection here https://stridesforsuccess.com/join