Completely lost motivation to ride

January and February are disgusting months weather wise, so if you know your arena is going to be a swamp, you hate the mud, and you suffer with the lack of light, then give the horse some time off, let them be a mud monster and accept it, after all, this is your hobby, not your job, it wont hurt your horse to have some time off.

But if your horse has to be exercised because of health issues, or if you have competition goals that cant/wont be pushed back, and therefore a certain level of fitness is needed, then I'm afraid its not motivation that you need, its discipline. Motivation comes and goes its unreliable, if the horse has to be exercised you need to be disciplined about and dont think about whether you feel motivated or not, just do it.
 
I feel your pain OP. I've ridden all of about 5 times since January 1st! (No arena or indoor school) Usually I get out hacking least 2 days a week over Winter but it's been vile here (West Midlands) and everything is underwater. We even have egrets and ducks in the field! 🤣

Looking forward to a nice hack this Saturday as we have a cold but sunny day forecast, but I'm not beating myself up about not riding much and figure I can pick up the pace a bit in March/April time. Pony is ridiculously fresh at the moment out hacking and coming back all sweaty, but I'm trying to hold off clipping again as I think we're in for another cold spell ...WAAGH!!!
 
I'm with you all, the weather is foul and there's less pleasure in riding and my motivation is through the floor. I'm gearing up for my competing goals so horse needs to come out of winter going so as Daffy says, I'm just sucking it up and riding. Hoping that I'll reap the benefit and enjoyment when we hit spring and I can get out and go.
 
I can’t ride mine at the moment but I really wish I could. He lost a lot of weight due to stress from our last place so I’m working on that before I even contemplate putting his saddle on - it wouldn’t fit him right now with the amount he’s lost.

But usually I’m the opposite to most people, I ride more in winter and less in summer because in summer it’s just easier to leave them out enjoying the nice weather.
 
On diy with no school but daily turnout, and working full time, January and February were firmly once a week or fortnight hacking.

The first hack when there was just enough daylight after work was a big event and made me really happy!
 
Yes motivation taken a big hit due to relentless rain, mud and no arena of any sort. However Chief is booked in to start driving training in 11 weeks time so we are out marching the roads and tracks (the Forest is just one huge lake). Only problem is he is teething (again) so can only long rein in a head collar. Still if he's this good 🤞 🙏 all should be well.
 
The joy today when we grabbed the younger more spritely group for their Wednesday canter. Third week in a row since I caved and found time for one decent ride a week to the track you can actually go faster on. Eager faces, bouncy excited bodies. Came back tired (we are all so unfit - that’s a short ride in the summer 🤣) but happy.

So for their sake we will continue to find the motivation. Good thing we love them!
 
  • Like
Reactions: tda
Rain, wind, we power through. I learned the hard way that 'normal' amounts of riding don't do sh1t for keeping weight off EMS horse, so we take any day we can to do multi-hour hacks, and when we can't do that, I combine short hacks with schooling.

Fin hasn't been doing very much. He has a sharer (who has him 2-3x per week) and another friend who's a bit of a fair weather rider. So haven't seen her for a bit. She loves fast and far hacks and wasn't over the moon when I told her I can't keep two horses fit enough to do that, so Fin can't come on Hermosa's endurancey ones because I don't think it's fair on him (and sharer just wants to potter, which is totally fine and reasonable. I have never expected her to keep horse in serious training). Fin can amble about with us when we have easier days, but friend doesn't seem terribly interested in that.

His current sharer is great but doesn't want more days than she has (what???? people have a life outside of horses???? Who knew???). Wondering about getting a second sharer. If I had any f82823cking sense, I'd sell him, but I'd desperately miss his wee face, and I think he'd find it hard.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top