Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians

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

Your horse doesn't look as "pretty" as before

Your aids feel awkward

Communication gets a little jumbled

You're tempted to go back to the way things were

This is not failure; it's a sign that change is happening and this is the episode to encourage you to stick with it. 
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!

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 Connection 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 for clarity. And clarity leads to progress.
Your Challenge This Week: Place one pole on the ground and explore what you can do with it.
Groundwork around it

Lateral movements

Stride adjustments

Riding straight lines with intention

Raising it slightly for core strength

The possibilities are endless when you stop waiting for the "perfect setup."
Take Action This Week
Set up one pole.

Get creative with how you use it.

Film a short clip.

Reflect on what you notice.

Then head over to the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community and let us know how it went https://facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast

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 even started

This episode is for you!
We'll explore:
Why bracing becomes a habit

How horses learn to anticipate our anticipation

Why "just relax" isn't always the answer

The real opposite of bracing (and how to practice it)

Simple ways to shift from bracing to embracing in your next ride

📖 Read the Full Blog Post:
Bracing When Working With Your Horse https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1389-guilty-of-bracing-when-working-with-your-horse
📥 Free Resource:
Download the 15 Minutes or Less Workbook Simple, practical ideas to help you show up intentionally with your horse. 👉 https://www.stridesforsuccess.com/15
💛 Want More Support?
Inside Connection, we work on exactly this — building softness, clarity, and confidence in your riding (without overthinking everything).
Learn more here: 👉 https://stridesforsuccess.com/join
If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a fellow rider or leave a review; it helps more riders find the podcast.
Happy Riding and chat soon Lorna

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…
Why a 10-minute plan can save your riding during busy seasons

How to set up a smaller space to improve focus and reduce overwhelm

Why "riding" doesn't have to mean being in the saddle

The exact structure of the 10-minute riding plan

What not to do when you're short on time

Why intentional short rides often lead to better results than rushed long ones

How to create momentum over 4–6 busy weeks using time windows, weekly focuses, and tracking

https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1388-a-10-minute-riding-plan-to-keep-you-riding-when-life-gets-busy/
🐴 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!