Sunday Strides: Know What's "Normal" for Your Horse

When did you last try something completely new with your horse? Something neither of you expected to be particularly good at straight away? As riders, it's easy to confuse consistency with repeating the same familiar exercises over and over. But when your riding begins to feel flat, frustrating or a little boring, trying something different can uncover new opportunities for you and your horse. In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, we explore how becoming a beginner again can improve your confidence, communication and partnership with your horse; without abandoning your current riding goals or overwhelming either of you. In this episode, you'll discover: The difference between genuine consistency and "same old, same old" Why experienced riders can become reluctant to try new things How unfamiliar exercises reveal gaps in your riding and horse training Why manageable new experiences can strengthen trust and communication How to choose one small, safe experiment to try with your horse this week The '15 Minutes or Less' Workbook Short on time but still want to make meaningful progress with your horse? This free workbook will help you use the time you have more intentionally while developing connection, communication and trust. Download the free workbook - CLICK HERE Free Equestrian Fitness Walking Challenge Improve your fitness for horse riding one walk at a time. This free challenge will help you become more consistent with your movement, build your stamina and feel stronger both in and out of the saddle. Join the free Equestrian Fitness Walking Challenge CLICK HERE Join Connection If you're an independent rider who wants more structure, support and guidance with your horse, come and join us inside Connection. You'll receive practical training, audio horse-riding lessons and live coaching to help you understand your riding and confidently take your next step. Find Out More About Connection - CLICK HERE Join the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community You don't have to figure everything out alone. Join fellow independent equestrians inside our free Facebook community to share your progress, ask questions and continue the conversation after each episode. Join the free Facebook community - CLICK HERE Liking the Podcast? Enjoying the Daily Strides Podcast? Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, leave a quick rating or review, and share this episode with another rider who may be ready to try something new.

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 and training. Because so often, what feels like "helping" is actually over-managing. And while that might make you feel better in the short term, it can stop your horse from developing the balance, confidence, and responsibility you are trying to build. We also explore why riders feel the need to control in the first place, what that says about trust, and how this shows up so clearly when lunging. If your goal is a horse who can carry themselves better, stay more balanced, and rely less on constant correction, this episode will give you plenty to think about. In this episode, we talk about:- Why trying to control your horse is often a sign of fear, tension, or lack of trust How 'helping' can quietly become over-riding or micro-managing The question to ask yourself:- What am I not trusting right now? What you actually can control as a rider Why influence is more effective than force How lunging reveals whether you are guiding your horse or reacting to them How trust, self-awareness, and better timing help build self-carriage over time 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 our fortnightly Review & Planning Calls, live virtual group lessons, Q&A sessions, and a full library of on-demand audio horse riding lessons. Start your two-week cycle with us today: 👉 https://stridesforsuccess.com/join 🐴 Restart & Reschool: Private Coaching Feeling stuck or uncertain in your riding and training? This 13-week 1-to-1 coaching program is designed to help you get unstuck and move forward with clarity and confidence. We'll work closely together to map out your next steps, troubleshoot your challenges, and get real results with your horse. 👉 https://stridesforsuccess.com/rr ⏱️ 15 Minutes or Less Short on time? You don't need a full hour to make meaningful progress with your horse. This free resource gives you over 80 ideas for exercises, groundwork, mounted work, and mindset—all designed to help you move forward in your riding in 15 minutes or less. Perfect for busy riders or unpredictable days. 🎁 Grab it here: https://stridesforsuccess.com/15 💬 The Daily Strides Podcast Online Community Want to join other riders who are working alone but not feeling alone? Come be part of our free Facebook group where we share inspiration, training ideas, behind-the-scenes updates, and mini-challenges like Your Signature Ride. We'd love to welcome you! 👥 Join the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast 🎧 Subscribe, Share, Rate & Review If this episode helped you, please consider subscribing to the podcast so you never miss a new one. Share it with a riding friend who could use a little extra clarity and encouragement. And if you have a moment, rating and reviewing the show really helps us reach more riders around the world. Thank you for being part of the Strides for Success community!

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, and manage every little piece of the ride, it very quickly becomes exhausting! As riders, it is so important to help our horse to understand and begin workin on carrying their share of the 'team work'. In this episode, I'm breaking down what self-carriage actually means in practical rider language, what it definitely is not, and how you can begin recognising where your horse may need more support and development. What self-carriage really means for everyday riders Why self-carriage is not about head carriage or a pretty outline How to tell if your horse is leaning on you for balance The question every rider should ask:- 'If I softened here, would my horse maintain?' Why some horses can hold things together for only a few strides How riders often end up doing too much without realising it Why lunging is one of the best places to begin developing self-carriage 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 our fortnightly Review & Planning Calls, live virtual group lessons, Q&A sessions, and a full library of on-demand audio horse riding lessons. Start your two-week cycle with us today: 👉 https://stridesforsuccess.com/join 🐴 Restart & Reschool: Private Coaching Feeling stuck or uncertain in your riding and training? This 13-week 1-to-1 coaching program is designed to help you get unstuck and move forward with clarity and confidence. We'll work closely together to map out your next steps, troubleshoot your challenges, and get real results with your horse. 👉 https://stridesforsuccess.com/rr ⏱️ 15 Minutes or Less Short on time? You don't need a full hour to make meaningful progress with your horse. This free resource gives you over 80 ideas for exercises, groundwork, mounted work, and mindset—all designed to help you move forward in your riding in 15 minutes or less. Perfect for busy riders or unpredictable days. 🎁 Grab it here: https://stridesforsuccess.com/15 💬 The Daily Strides Podcast Online Community Want to join other riders who are working alone but not feeling alone? Come be part of our free Facebook group where we share inspiration, training ideas, behind-the-scenes updates, and mini-challenges like Your Signature Ride. We'd love to welcome you! 👥 Join the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast 🎧 Subscribe, Share, Rate & Review If this episode helped you, please consider subscribing to the podcast so you never miss a new one. Share it with a riding friend who could use a little extra clarity and encouragement. And if you have a moment, rating and reviewing the show really helps us reach more riders around the world. Thank you for being part of the Strides for Success community!

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 our fortnightly Review & Planning Calls, live virtual group lessons, Q&A sessions, and a full library of on-demand audio horse riding lessons. Start your two-week cycle with us today: 👉 https://stridesforsuccess.com/join 🐴 Restart & Reschool: Private Coaching Feeling stuck or uncertain in your riding and training? This 13-week 1-to-1 coaching program is designed to help you get unstuck and move forward with clarity and confidence. We'll work closely together to map out your next steps, troubleshoot your challenges, and get real results with your horse. 👉 https://stridesforsuccess.com/rr ⏱️ 15 Minutes or Less Short on time? You don't need a full hour to make meaningful progress with your horse. This free resource gives you over 80 ideas for exercises, groundwork, mounted work, and mindset—all designed to help you move forward in your riding in 15 minutes or less. Perfect for busy riders or unpredictable days. 🎁 Grab it here: https://stridesforsuccess.com/15 💬 The Daily Strides Podcast Online Community Want to join other riders who are working alone but not feeling alone? Come be part of our free Facebook group where we share inspiration, training ideas, behind-the-scenes updates, and mini-challenges like Your Signature Ride. We'd love to welcome you! 👥 Join the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast 🎧 Subscribe, Share, Rate & Review If this episode helped you, please consider subscribing to the podcast so you never miss a new one. Share it with a riding friend who could use a little extra clarity and encouragement. And if you have a moment, rating and reviewing the show really helps us reach more riders around the world. Thank you for being part of the Strides for Success community!

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