Anyone use a riding diary?

[Shoei]

I have just purchased a diary to try and plan my year but also record ride detail, with the aim I=of keeping myself motivated.

I just wondered if anyone had used one and found it useful. What did you include?

Thanks

 

[Leo Walker]

I havent but I plan to with the new horse. Did you get a riding specific or a generic one?

 

[Shoei]

I have just bought a generic one and put my aims for the year at the front

 

[Pink_Lady]

Hello - I have used a diary .... found it helpful to record all our daily ups (and downs) ... in the dark winter months found it quite motivational and surprisingly how many positives there were

 

[scats]

Yes I do. I record what I do every day riding wise.

 

[C1airey]

I used one for a spell last year, but sort of fell out of the habit. I used it mainly for tracking our mileage and for recording any niggles as horse is arthritic in places and sometimes problems start slow and are easily brushed off, but when you can look back and read each post, you sort of amass a body of evidence.

 

[gunnergundog]

Yes, although my use was last 20 plus years ago, so it was handwritten, but same principles. I had two horses eventing and would detail objectives ( short, medium and long term) at the front and then break all the objectives down in to manageable chunks. I would then write short notes on each day as to what we did (hack/school/jump/fast work/Dr compete/SJ compete/XC school or whatever. I would note what went well (there always has to be a positive!) plus what didn't go so well and what my thoughts were to combat it!

 

[Llee94]

Yes I have one. I write in what I do with each horse every day as well as having lessons and future events booked in. I also use it to keep track of farrier/vet visits, when I buy feed, any changes in the horses I notice like lumps and bumps. Also use it to record scores from events and any notes on how they behaved and what needs to be worked on.
I find it very useful as I have the memory of a gnat and often can't remember what I have done the previous day with them without checking in my diary.

 

[Lulup]

I keep track of what mine do everyday in a standard diary - very useful and more reliable than my memory!

 

[claracanter]

Yes, I keep track of what I do with mine everyday and their general well being. Always useful for reference

 

[nato]

Just bought one from Leroy & Bongo - they are beautiful and only £20!

 

[neddy man]

Sort of , it goes down on a calendar how long each horse is rode for each day, any bumps or bangs ,vets blacksmith, shows ,results etc.

 

[Smellycob]

ooo I can answer this being absolutely anal about note taking! I buy an ordinary diary or log book and at the front put my aims for the year (4 or 5 thing like training issues or competitions I'd like to attend). When Im doing this properly I then mark up during the week how long I rode and what I did and anything I noticed or need to work on. I also add in my farrier dates, jabs etc. If Im REALLY organised I keep costing notes at the back...

 

[Leo Walker]

I've just bought one of these:

http://www.equinelogbooks.co.uk/home/training-diaries/training-diary/

I've got a new project pony so thought it would be useful to see any progress or patterns etc.

 

[Shoei]

ooo I can answer this being absolutely anal about note taking! I buy an ordinary diary or log book and at the front put my aims for the year (4 or 5 thing like training issues or competitions I'd like to attend). When Im doing this properly I then mark up during the week how long I rode and what I did and anything I noticed or need to work on. I also add in my farrier dates, jabs etc. If Im REALLY organised I keep costing notes at the back...

Lol, I am quite like this... I have a separate book with ALL his expenses... I recently totted this up since purchase... bit of a shock I can tell you!

 

[neddy man]

I'll bet it was alot of a shock ,i have mentioned doing it before and got told no no no!

 

[dibbin]

I used to keep one. I did a short note of what we'd done, a list of good points and bad points, and a note of what to work on next time.

 

[scats]

I've just bought one of these:

http://www.equinelogbooks.co.uk/home/training-diaries/training-diary/

I've got a new project pony so thought it would be useful to see any progress or patterns etc.

Thanks for that link. I used e- dressage riding diary last year, but they have folded so couldn't get hold of one this year.

 

[tonitot]

I've also just bought one from Leroy and Bongo and I plan to use it to keep me motivated and keep notes of when everything is due or when we have lessons (once my horse is back in work) because I'm rubbish and I forget everything! The diary popped up on Facebook and I instantly loved the look of them so I though why not?!

 

[Smellycob]

Lol, I am quite like this... I have a separate book with ALL his expenses... I recently totted this up since purchase... bit of a shock I can tell you!

NO! NEVER DO THAT! Notice I said I keep costings- I don't add them up! I shut the book quickly before my brain has time to compute it lol x

 

[Taliesan]

I've started to keep one for this year so I can track our progress and see how far we have come. I am also using it to set goals for each month so I have a sense of purpose to what I am doing instead of us just mooching about together.

I just got a standard diary that I got from Smiths and am filling in each day with what I did. So far I am finding it very motivating and I know it will be an excellent thing to look back on if I ever find myself a bit lost and questioning how much we've achieved.

 

[chaps89]

I used one last year and bought another one to do the same this year. Mine is in and out of work more often that not so it's been useful to keep track of what's going on with her. It's also been useful to track how I've done with my share horse too. I bought a slightly bigger diary this year as found the slimline diary a little too tight on space so went for an a6 day to a page one this time instead

 

[rachk89]

I don't but I am going to. Great idea and will be funny to read in a years time I bet.