Why Your Horse Is Hollow and How to Start Fixing It
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Release Date: 11/05/2025
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_outline![[Encore] Strides Revisited: Riding alone? Are you Making Progress in Your Riding? (Originally Ep #986) show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/195495235?height=50&width=50)
[Encore] Strides Revisited: Riding alone? Are you Making Progress in Your Riding? (Originally Ep #986)
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
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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Turning Your Reviews into a Plan when Riding Alone
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
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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Sunday Strides: Know What's "Normal" for Your Horse
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
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...
info_outline![[Encore] Strides Revisited: Applying the Click Your Fingers Rule to Your Riding (Originally Ep #1085) show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/195246570?height=50&width=50)
[Encore] Strides Revisited: Applying the Click Your Fingers Rule to Your Riding (Originally Ep #1085)
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
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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Why Your Horse Is Hollow and How to Start Fixing It
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
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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Sunday Strides: It's Okay to Change the Plan Sometimes!
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
“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...
info_outline![[Encore] Strides Revisited: Dealing with a Horse who Spooks & Spins (Originally Ep #856) show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/194936700?height=50&width=50)
[Encore] Strides Revisited: Dealing with a Horse who Spooks & Spins (Originally Ep #856)
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
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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Why Your Half Halt Isn’t Working
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
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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Sunday Strides: Stop Buying and Start Doing the Work!
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
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_outlineHave 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:
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What hollowness really is
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Why it happens (there are 3 big culprits)
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How to begin retraining your horse so the back engages again
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Why half-halts often don’t work on a hollow horse, and how to change that
What You’ll Learn
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How to feel and identify when your horse is hollow
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Why chasing your horse’s head and neck only worsens the problem
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Why rider balance is often the secret contributing factor
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The importance of mental + physical forwardness
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How rhythm helps your horse organize his body
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A simple walk–halt exercise to start rebuilding communication
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Where the half-halt really fits into improving your horse’s balance
⭐ Connection
Our online membership where we’re dedicating October–December 2025 to developing a reliable, effective half-halt, from the foundations upward.
Includes audio riding lessons, live group lessons, monthly planning + review sessions, and more.
Join here → https://stridesforsuccess.com/join
⭐ Restart & Reschool: Private Coaching
Get personalised guidance to retrain your horse or rebuild your own skills with confidence and clarity.
Details → https://stridesforsuccess.com/rr
⭐ Your Signature Ride Challenge
A fun, simple way to build awareness of your seat and leg aids, and start communicating more clearly with your horse.
Learn more + join → https://stridesforsuccess.com/ride
⭐ The Daily Strides Podcast Online Community
A free space to continue the conversation, ask questions, and share your riding progress with like-minded riders.
Join here → https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
✅ If You Loved This Episode…
Please:
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Share it with a riding friend
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Subscribe / Follow so you never miss an episode
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Rate + Review the podcast to help other riders find it
Your support helps us reach and help more horses & riders around the world.
✅ Connect With Lorna
Website: https://stridesforsuccess.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stridesforsuccess
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@stridesforsuccess