1201. Putting One Thing onto Autopilot in Your Riding This Month

06/28/21 • 12 min

Have you ever wondered how some riders seem to effortlessly connect with their horse when riding? It genuinely seems like they are doing nothing in particular, and there is clearly an ongoing conversation, or magic, happening.

The secret to seemingly effortless riding is to begin, one by one putting a basic on autopilot - and then revisiting and upgrading them regularly

The basics in riding are all the seemingly small, but vitally important, things that are essential to developing as a rider. They are like the foundations.

Choosing a 'Basic on Autopilot' This Month

I think that there are a few key areas that you can begin looking at putting onto autopilot in your riding. Now, obviously, each of these topics is pretty sizeable and has many different facets to them; there are no 'quick wins' and 'one solution fit all' here.

1. Following & Allowing with Your Seat
2. Your Position & Posture
3. Your Basic Aids
4. Bending & Turning
5. Trotting (transitions and what you do while trotting)
6. Cantering (transitions and what you do while cantering)

If you look at any rider who is having a great, connected conversation with their horse, they are not worrying about any of these things... They are not continuously 'fixing' their position. Or trying to turn their horse. They are certainly not still trying to figure out basic trotting and canter.

Let's Work Together:-

Connect with Lorna

Connect on Instagram @stridesforsuccess https://instagram.com/stridesforsuccess
Connect on Facebook https://facebook.com/stridessuccess

Join the Free Private Communities

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

Join the 2021 Equestrian Fitness Challenge:-

Additional Resources:-

The secret to seemingly effortless riding is to begin, one by one putting a basic on autopilot - and then revisiting and upgrading them regularly

The basics in riding are all the seemingly small, but vitally important, things that are essential to developing as a rider. They are like the foundations.

Choosing a 'Basic on Autopilot' This Month

1. Following & Allowing with Your Seat
2. Your Position & Posture
3. Your Basic Aids
4. Bending & Turning
5. Trotting (transitions and what you do while trotting)
6. Cantering (transitions and what you do while cantering)

Let's Work Together:-

Connect with Lorna

Connect on Instagram @stridesforsuccess https://instagram.com/stridesforsuccess
Connect on Facebook https://facebook.com/stridessuccess

Join the Free Private Communities

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

Join the 2021 Equestrian Fitness Challenge:-

Additional Resources:-

Previous Episode

3 Shortcuts You NEED to Stop Taking in Your Riding!

Instant gratification. It is a very real thing in the world we live in. People see the thing they want and, without doing a whole of anything, expect to have the same thing. Equestrians often suffer from this same issue. Instead of being on a path to better riding, they are guilty of taking shortcuts... And then wonder why, after time goes by, they never really get anywhere.

The shortcuts are more like little circles. They feel like they're taking you forward initially, but then you will inevitably end up back in the same place all over again.

Following a tried and a trusted path takes time. Doing the work and putting in the effort also takes time. And yet, it is the riders who are willing to start slow and then, over time, speed up, that see the results.

What Shortcuts in Riding Look Like

There are things that take time to develop and strengthen. Suppleness, straightness, impulsion, contact... Now, I realize that these are all steps on the training scale, but many shortcuts are based on trying to short circuit the results when it comes to one of the above.

The reality is that, when you take a shortcut, you begin crumbling the foundations...

I believe that the foundations of all horses and riders are relaxation and rhythm. Take a shortcut, and look for one or both of the above to disappear. Excess tension, choppy steps, increase in speed, heaviness, and so many other things are the symptoms of lack of rhythm and relaxation.

Commit to doing the work and taking the time when it comes to improving yourself and your horse

Let's Work Together:-

Connect with Lorna

Connect on Instagram @stridesforsuccess https://instagram.com/stridesforsuccess
Connect on Facebook https://facebook.com/stridessuccess

Join the Free Private Communities

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

Join the 2021 Equestrian Fitness Challenge:-

Additional Resources:-

Next Episode

1202 5 Ways to Have Fun with Your Horse This Month

Fun can mean lots of different things to lots of different riders. And your idea of what is really fun can change as you develop and grow as a rider. I always encourage my riders to be intentional about including fun stuff in their plan or schedule with their horses.

So, as you plan out your weekly riding, see where you can include one or two activities that you are including with the simple intention of having fun and enjoying the time with your horse.

Now, again, notice how what may have been fun when you rode horses as a teenager, might not be as much fun anymore. Pay attention to your day-to-day activities with your horse. Anywhere you notice you are really just 'having fun', go deeper and see where it takes you.

Let's Work Together:-

Connect with Lorna