Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

Latest Episodes:

4 Things You MUST Re-Train with Your Retired Racehorse OTTB Jan 10, 2022

Show notes

It is easy to forget that, before coming to you, your OTTB has had many different expectations placed on him or her. A lot of their current behavior is a result of this early and consistent conditioning they received while in training on the track.

One of the greatest responsibilities we have when working with a retired racehorse is to help them understand that what's now expected of them has changed.

I believe that there are 4 basic principles that you must work with your retired racehorse on, in order to set a foundation for everything else that follows.

Being intentional about covering these 4 topics with your horse, regardless of how long they have left the track, will allow you to set your horse up for a wonderful 2nd or 3rd career.

Establishing Fowardness in the Trot Jan 03, 2022

Show notes

The key to a good quality trot is to remember that your horse must be moving forwards at all times. I call this forwardness in the trot. This is not to be mistaken for running, rushing, or jig-jogging. True forwardness requires that you, the rider and decision-maker, must be thinking forwards throughout your ride… And, in this case, in the trot itself.

And yet, forwardness in the trot is often one of those 'easier said than done' things – especially when we become stuck trying to improve that same trot!

This episode of the Daily Strides Podcast has been plucked from a week of lessons from Daily Strides Premium called "The Basics for Establishing a Good Quality Trot". The full week of lessons are available right now when you join Connection

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Connect in the Mindset & Fitness for Equestrians Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/SFS30DayRiderFitnessChallenge
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Planning Your Month to Make Progress in Your Riding Dec 27, 2021

Show notes

Planning. I love making plans. They are always so exciting to create, but often fail to deliver the necessary results when we try to act on them. This is usually because we are not planning correctly when it comes to our rides.

This is a system you can use to help you plan your months in your riding that will help you move things along…

This episode of the Daily Strides Podcast has been plucked from a week of lessons from Daily Strides Premium called "Planning for Progress in Your Riding". The full week of lessons are available right now when you join Connection

Join Our Online Communities for Equestrians

Connect in the Mindset & Fitness for Equestrians Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/SFS30DayRiderFitnessChallenge
Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

Riding the Same Simple Exercise Through the Different Filters of Position & Influence Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

There are hundreds, even thousands, of different exercises we can ride when schooling our horses. Often riders think that they have to get more and more complicated with their exercises in order to make progress in their riding. However, I personally believe that, for the most part, simple works better.

In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I want to show you how to work on the same exercise, using two different filters

This episode of the Daily Strides Podcast has been plucked from a week of lessons from Daily Strides Premium called "Examples of Different Filters to Vary Your Exercises". The full week of lessons are available right now when you join Connection

The exercise we are going to work on for this example with be a simple three looped serpentine. I want to show you how you can use this exercise in lots of different ways.

Keeping your riding interesting doesn't need to be complicated; a single exercise can have so many uses

Join Our Online Communities for Equestrians

Connect in the Mindset & Fitness for Equestrians Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/SFS30DayRiderFitnessChallenge
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Warming Up Decisions for You and Your Horse Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

How could becoming more intentional and creative with your warming up transform your riding? After all, it is something that you do every time you ride, right?!

If you were to do one thing this month that has the potential to ripple into all the months hereafter where your riding is concerned; becoming intentional about your warming up might just be the thing.

This episode of the Daily Strides Podcast has been plucked from a week of lessons from Daily Strides Premium called "Increasing Suppleness with Your Warm-Up & Cool Down". The full week of lessons are available right now when you join Connection

Join Our Online Communities for Equestrians

Connect in the Mindset & Fitness for Equestrians Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/SFS30DayRiderFitnessChallenge
Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

How to Ride a Circle with Your Horse Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

Circles; for something that we spend so much time 'doing' with our horses, many riders are more than a little confused when it comes to how to ride a circle. And while the basic 'riding a circle' is fairly simple and most all riders can manage, the issue of riding a well-balanced, good quality, well-maintained, circle is what leaves many riders feeling more than a little stumped.

How to ride a circle may seem like one of the easier things to do while on a horse. However, riding a well-shaped circle while maintaining or improving the quality of the work you're doing; is a whole other ball game!

For many riders falling in, or falling out are common occurrences. Losing rhythm or relaxation. Maintaining bend and flexion also can be a challenge. And this is all assuming that you are actually riding a real circle at all. As opposed to a funny, non-descript shape with random straight lines, corners, and pointy bits!

So, the shape of the circle is a given. A ring with equal diameter, regardless of where measured, all the way around. And yet, as simple as this seems, riding one well can be a whole other story! For many riders keeping their horse on the track, they planned in their head seems close to impossible.

Free Resource for Equestrians

One Exercise Mulitple Ways to Ride It

Let's Work Together:-

Join Our Online Communities for Equestrians

Connect in the Mindset & Fitness for Equestrians Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/SFS30DayRiderFitnessChallenge
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3 Exercises to Ride While on a Circle with Your Horse Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

It is probably the most ridden shape for most riders, the trusty circle. And yet, a lot of circles are uninteresting, uninspiring, and (if we're being completely honest here) a total waste of time for you and your horse. When ridden with a little intention and purpose, the trusty circle can become one of the greatest ways to develop your horse and improve your skills. Here are 3 exercises you can ride next time you're in the arena to help you make the most of your circles with your horse. Read More... Get the Free Months Plan for Your Rides:-

https://stridesforsuccess.com/planner/

Let's Work Together:-

Join Our Online Communities for Equestrians

Connect in the Mindset & Fitness for Equestrians Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/SFS30DayRiderFitnessChallenge
Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

7 Circles, 5 Serpentines, 4 figures of eight; on repeat...? What's Your Riding Routine? Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

What does your average ride or training session with your horse look like? Do you have a riding routine that you follow? If yours is leaning towards, or if it already is, a little too predictable; maybe it's time for a change? While riding the same sequence often can sometimes be beneficial to your riding and training (more on that later), for the most part, it will only help habits to creep in. And usually not the greatest of habits.

Doing anything the same way, on repeat, almost always has the same effect. Your body (and your horse) will look for the easiest, most efficient way of doing it; which probably won't truly serve you!

This is because, usually, the 'easiest' or 'most energy saving' way is not the best way; particularly when we are focused on developing and training. So, why do we fall into the trap of riding 7 circles, 5 Serpentines, 4 figures of eight (or whatever your 'go to' routine? And why do we continue to repeat it over and over again?

A Plan for Each Ride?

https:/stridesforsuccess.com/planner/

Let's Work Together:-

Join Connection; The Online Membership for Equestrians

Join Our Online Communities for Equestrians

Connect in the Mindset & Fitness for Equestrians Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/SFS30DayRiderFitnessChallenge
Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

Downward Transitions; How to Ride Consistently Smooth, Balanced Downward Transitions with Your Horse Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

What goes up, must come down. For every upward transition you ride with your horse, you will follow it, at some point, with a downward transition. For many riders, these can prove a little more complex to balance.

Having to prepare and then guide both yourself and your horse 'downwards', while continuing to maintain forwardness, tension, and energy... It can feel more like falling into, rather than stepping into, the new gait!

However, as with all things riding-related, there are things you can do to really begin improving each downward transition that you ride. Implementing these changes can begin today, with the very next downward transition you ride with your horse.

Get Your Free Riding Plan for the Month

https://stridesforsuccess.com/planner

Let's Work Together:-

Join Our Online Communities for Equestrians

Connect in the Mindset & Fitness for Equestrians Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/SFS30DayRiderFitnessChallenge
Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191

Riding Smooth & Balanced Upward Transitions with Your Horse Nov 08, 2021

Show notes

How well do you ride upward transitions? For many riders, it can feel a little frustrating and ironic how many of them are anything but 'upward' as far as energy and lightness go! In fact, sometimes they can feel quite the opposite, flat.

Upward transitions are part and parcel of every single ride you do with your horse. From the 'halt to walk' one immediately after mounting up, to all of the others throughout the ride.

The quality of each upward transition you ride will directly impact where you find yourself with your horse immediately after the transition.

Meaning, if the transition from walk to the trot was not that well prepared and then performed, chances are that you will have to work at improving the trot itself once you get there. So, with all of this in mind, it makes sense to prepare and ride the best quality transitions you possibly can, in order to improve the whole ride.

Here are the 6 essential steps to begin riding better quality and more consistent upward transitions with your horse.

Free Riding Plan