Sunday Strides: Regrouping Rather than Throwing in the Towel
This week didn’t go as planned. And if yours didn’t either - you’re not alone. In this episode of Sunday Strides, I’m sharing what I do when life throws everything off course. From illness and exhaustion to just plain overwhelm, we all face moments where our riding plans feel impossible to follow through on. But here’s the key: One bad day doesn’t mean the whole week is a write-off. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is regroup instead of retreat. 🐴 In this Pep Talk You’ll Hear: Why setbacks don’t mean failure How to separate what has to get done from what can wait Why rest is a tool - not a weakness How to bounce back mid-week and still create momentum A reminder that consistency looks different every week - and that’s okay 🎯 When You’re Ready to Ride Again… Inside Daily Strides Premium, we support your real life - not the imaginary perfect one. ✅ Weekly riding plans delivered via audio ✅ Weekly Virual Group Live Lessons ✅ Training and support that helps you stay on track - even after setbacks ✅ A private podcast feed you can take with you anywhere 🎧 Join Daily Strides Premium here This week’s DSP lesson is perfect for getting you back into flow—no pressure, just steady progress. ⏱️ Not Much Time This Week? Download the “15 Minutes or Less” freebie for easy training sessions you can fit in even on the busiest days. 🎁 Grab your free guide here 💬 Join the Conversation Inside the Daily Strides Podcast Facebook Group, we’re sharing how we’re regrouping this week and what small steps we’re still taking. ➡️ Join the group here Drop a comment and let us know what you’re committing to between now and Sunday! 🔁 Don’t Miss Next Week Sunday Strides drops every Sunday to help you reset, refocus, and ride—wherever you are in your journey. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Daily Strides Podcast and share the episode with a friend who needs a nudge this week. 📌 Quick Links Recap: Join DSP: https://stridesforsuccess.com/dsp Download the Freebie: https://stridesforsuccess.com/15 Join the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DailyStridesPodcast
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6:02
[Encore] Strides Revisited: 4 Ways Your Hands May be Wrong While Riding (Originally Ep #1137)
Do you ever feel like your hands are sending mixed signals to your horse? If you’ve been trying to improve your contact, connection, or communication in the saddle - but things still feel off - this Strides Revisited episode is for you. Originally aired in February 2025 as Episode 1137, this conversation dives into four of the most common (and sneaky!) ways your hands may be unintentionally causing confusion while you ride. Whether it's fidgeting, flapping, or just plain floating... It’s time to find your ‘Goldilocks’ hands - just right 😉 This episode is especially helpful as many riders don't realize they’re even doing these things in the first place. You can read the original blog post and listen HERE https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1137/ In This Strides Revisited Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ Why 'Piano Fingers' are sabotaging your rhythm and connection ✅ How to tell if your hands are too high, too low, or just not in the right place ✅ The ideal spacing between your hands - and when to adjust it ✅ The difference between a soft feel and just giving everything away ✅ How your hand aids support every other aid in your riding Your Hands Aren’t the Problem… But They’re Making Things Worse Most riders working alone are trying to create better contact, but without realizing it, their hands are either doing too much - or nothing at all. This episode will help you become more aware of what your hands are really saying to your horse… and how to make sure it’s clear, kind, and consistent. 💡 Small, intentional changes = big breakthroughs in the saddle. 🎧 Listen now & discover your ‘Goldilocks’ hands > Whether you're on a solo ride or schooling in the arena, this one is worth revisiting—no matter where you are in your riding journey. 👉 Subscribe to The Daily Strides Podcast to never miss an episode 👉 Rate & review if you’ve been enjoying the show 👉 Share this with another equestrian who could use some clarity in the saddle 💬 Join the Conversation Inside Our Free FB Group Come share your takeaway from this episode (or your own experience with tricky hand habits) inside the Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians Facebook Group. We’d love to hear from you! 🟢 Join the Free Group Here » 🎧 Ready for More Support with Your Riding? Daily Strides Premium is where you get weekly riding plans, live virtual lessons, and audio guidance to make every ride count. If you're training your horse alone and want to stay consistent, focused, and supported - this is for you. ✨ Learn more & join us inside DSPremium here >> www.stridesforsuccess.com/join
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15:21
Developing Steady Hands as You Ride Your Horse
Do your hands seem to have a mind of their own when you're riding? You're not alone—and the good news is, unsteady hands aren't usually the real issue. They're often a symptom of deeper balance, stability, or position problems in your riding. Whether you find yourself constantly shortening your reins or unintentionally using your hands for balance, this episode will help you understand what's actually causing your unsteady hands and how to finally develop steadier, softer communication with your horse. Read the full article on this HERE https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1365-steady-hands-as-you-ride-your-horse In This Episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, You’ll Discover: ✅ Why steady hands are essential for clear, kind communication with your horse ✅ How your elbows directly influence your hand stability (and what to do about it!) ✅ Why relying on your hands for balance is causing bigger problems in your riding ✅ Practical off-horse exercises to build core strength and hand stability ✅ How improving the connection between your seat and hands will transform your riding 🎯 3 Actionable Steps to Begin Improving Your Hand Stability Today: Record Yourself Riding: Use a whip across your fingers or wear white gloves to clearly see exactly what's happening with your hands. Relax and Adjust Your Elbows: Make sure your elbows are softly bent and draped naturally by your sides - like you’re carrying two cups of tea. Strengthen Your Core: Incorporate simple core exercises, like planks or balance-ball workouts, to reduce reliance on your hands for balance. 🎉 Join the Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians Online Community Looking for additional support as you improve your riding? Join me and thousands of other equestrians inside the Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians Online Community on Facebook. Ask questions, share your riding breakthroughs, and access free training to help you make consistent progress - especially if you train your horse alone. 👉 Join us here ✨ Ready for Structured Audio Lessons for Every Ride? If you're ready to consistently improve your riding, come join us inside Daily Strides Premium. You'll get: Structured riding plans delivered as audio horse riding lessons A clear focus for each ride—no more wondering what to work on Support and coaching to keep you progressing Step-by-step guidance, even when riding alone 🎧 Listen, ride, and improve—every day. 👉 Join Daily Strides Premium Here 👇 Don’t Miss the Free Training Coming Soon If you're noticing old habits—like unsteady hands—creeping into your riding, it's time to revisit and refine your basics. 🌐 Join the waitlist for my free online training at Returning to Riding We’ll explore habits holding you back and how to build new ones that support your riding today. 💛 Subscribe, Rate & Review If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your podcast app. Your feedback helps more riders discover the show and make every ride great. 💌 Know a rider who struggles with unsteady hands? Share this episode with them! 📌 Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Daily Strides Premium Membership Returning to Riding - VIP Training Waitlist Daily Strides Podcast Online Community – Facebook Group Equestrian Fitness Challenge
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14:13
Sunday Strides: Just Get On – No More Waiting
Welcome to the very first episode of Sunday Strides – the new weekly series from the Daily Strides Podcast designed to get your mindset right before the week begins. These episodes are short (under 5 minutes), unscripted, and packed with the motivation, truth, and tough love you need to get back in the saddle—even when it’s not perfect. In this episode, we’re talking about the trap of waiting for the “perfect time” to ride and why that’s costing you real progress with your horse. Because here’s the truth: You don’t need a perfect plan. You need to just get on. 🐴 What You’ll Hear in Today’s Pep Talk: Why waiting for ideal conditions is slowing you down How imperfect action builds confidence The mindset shift you need to ride more consistently A direct challenge to ride this week—even if it’s messy The difference between riders who grow… and those who don’t 🎯 Want Help Knowing What to Do Once You’re On? Inside Daily Strides Premium, you’ll get: ✅ Weekly audio-guided riding plans ✅ Step-by-step lessons to follow in real time ✅ Support, structure, and progress without needing a trainer by your side ✅ A private podcast feed so you can listen anywhere This month inside DSP: We’re working on groundwork and lunging over poles -perfect if your horse needs a reset, or you want to build connection before getting back in the saddle. 👉 Join Daily Strides Premium here ⏱️ Short on Time? Grab your free copy of 15 Minutes or Less – a guide packed with quick, effective exercises you can ride today. 🎁 Download the Freebie 💬 Join the Conversation: Inside the Daily Strides Podcast Facebook Group, we’re sharing weekly riding goals and holding each other accountable. ➡️ Join the group here Tell us what you’re committing to this week after listening to the episode! 🔁 Love Sunday Strides? Make sure you’re following the Daily Strides Podcast on your favorite platform and share this episode with a rider who needs a little motivation today. 🎧 Subscribe, share, and let’s ride together. 📌 Quick Links Recap: Join DSP: https://stridesforsuccess.com/dsp Download the Freebie: https://stridesforsuccess.com/15 Join the FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DailyStridesPodcast
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5:11
[Encore] Strides Revisited: Developing Your Seat in the Canter (Originally Ep #1139)
Do you ever feel like the more effort you put into canter, the worse your seat becomes? You're not alone... In this encore episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, we're revisiting a popular lesson: Developing Your Seat in the Canter. Originally aired in March 2020, it’s packed with timeless insights for riders who feel stuck, disconnected, or frustrated in the canter. This episode will help you: Understand the difference between following and forcing in the canter Use the "clothes hanger" analogy to create true postural alignment Recognize how shoulder tension and over-efforting are sabotaging your seat Learn why carrying yourself is step one in developing a supple, effective seat Discover how to use the half-halt with your seat—without blocking your horse Whether you're a returning rider, a bit rusty, or just ready to upgrade your seat… this episode is your starting point. Read the full blog post HERE https://stridesforsuccess.com/episode1139-developing-your-seat-in-the-canter/ 🎯 Ready to Ride Better in the Canter? 💪 Get stronger, more balanced, and more aware in the saddle with the free 👉 Equestrian Fitness Challenge It's 21 days of walking and 'yogaing' designed for riders, to help you feel more secure and effective in every gait - including the canter. 🐴 Want to Go from Being a Passenger to Being a Rider in the Saddle? Join the waitlist for Returning to Riding, to make sure you get notified of my new upcoming live training to help you do just that. 👉 ReturningtoRiding.com 💬 Let’s Make Every Ride Great If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the Daily Strides Podcast on your favorite app. Your support helps more riders find the show and start making real progress in their riding. 🎧 Know another rider who’s struggling with their seat in the canter? Send this episode their way or share it in your riding group! 💬 Join the Conversation Inside Our Free Online Community Want more support in your riding journey? Join the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community—a free space where riders like you come together to ask questions, share wins, and stay motivated. 🎉 Join us here → Daily Strides Podcast Online Community Let me know what stood out to you in this episode - and how your seat feels in the canter these days. I’d love to hear your thoughts inside the group 💛
If you are tired of riding the endless circle, or you're struggling to find inspiration for your riding each week, this is the podcast for you.
The Daily Strides Podcast is for equestrians wanting to learn more, stay inspired, and continue to move the conversation between horse and rider forward.
Each episode provides step by step guided instruction on different aspects of riding, groundwork, and lunging your horse or pony.
All episodes have a full blog post published at https://StridesForSuccess.com. New episodes are published every Monday.
Say goodbye to the endless circle and hello to intentional interaction with your horse in a way that you both enjoy, that you both benefit from, by subscribing to the Daily Strides Podcast for Equestrians today and
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