What You’re Not Willing to Do in Order to Improve Your Riding
Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians
Release Date: 11/20/2025
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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_outlineIf 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 its own… Or like they need a push and a prayer just to enter the arena; this episode will help you understand what’s really going on, and what needs to happen next.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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Why “forward” has nothing to do with speed and everything to do with mindset
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The biggest communication gap that causes both rushing and slugging
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How groundwork becomes the key to changing your horse’s willingness under saddle
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Why walk–halt transitions are the most underrated power tool in your riding
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How to know when you’re ready to move on to trot and finally canter
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The 12-week framework that will rebuild responsiveness, confidence and connection
You don’t need a different horse, you don’t need to ride more. You just need to start at the beginning again, with the basics done correctly this time.
Let’s dig in…
https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1386-what-youre-not-willing-to-do-in-order-to-improve-your-riding/
Connection
Your next step if you’re serious about creating actual progress in your training, without needing to ride more or change horses! Inside Connection, we’re currently working through the Half Halt: first on the lunge, now in the saddle, and December is where everything clicks into place.
✔️ For riders working without a regular coach
✔️ Structured lessons + accountability so you stay consistent
✔️ A training rhythm that builds confidence, clarity & connection
Join us for the December Half Halt Training 🚀
👉 https://stridesforsuccess.com/join
The Daily Strides Podcast Online Community
This is our free, friendly Facebook group where you can share your wins, get support, ask questions, and connect with other riders who are also working alone, but not doing it alone anymore.
✔️ Weekly prompts & practical ideas
✔️ A space to stay motivated between rides
✔️ Real conversations with riders like you
Join us inside → https://facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
15 Minutes or Less Freebie
If time is the reason you feel stuck… This is your lifeline! The “15 Minutes or Less” workbook gives you quick, focused exercises you can do on busy days to keep momentum going with your horse.
✔️ For riders short on time
✔️ No arena required
✔️ Keeps progress happening in tiny but powerful ways
Download it now → https://stridesforsuccess.com/15
Restart & Reschool: Private Coaching
If after listening you’re thinking: “Yes, this is me. I need personal guidance through this process…”, this is where we work 1–to-1 over 12 weeks to restart patterns, rebuild foundations, and reschool habits so you can move forward with certainty.
✔️ Tailored coaching for your exact partnership
✔️ Video reviews + clear assignments each week
✔️ Perfect for horses coming back into work or needing a clean slate
Learn more → https://stridesforsuccess.com/rr
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Thank you, truly! You being here matters, and your progress in the saddle matters even more 🐴✨