Doing nothing and feeling guilty

[Julie Ole Girl]

I've gone from Autumn and real hunting, fun rides, hacks and jump lessons in the past few months to nothing.......All the usual excuses, weather, Lockdown, Christmas etc. My 20 year old Dawn has a lovely life with little mini Elsa, cosy stable every night, good food, and turnout in their field next to my house every morning. But I'm just not riding her. I thought I'd take her out for a nice little Christmas hack but she spied the headcollar and had a mad run round the field instead. So I then opened the wine instead. Oh well, she got some exercise at least. She seems perfectly happy, I just hope she's not bored. I'm not scared of her, just don't feel like it right now.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I’m there right now. I’ve told myself I will stop riding in a few weeks (I’m with foal) so should really be making the most of riding now but I feel so sick and tired and the weather is so awful I just can’t bring myself to do it.

And you know what, so what! As long as your horse doesn’t need the exercise for weight control reasons then you do you! Lots of people give their horses winter holidays. Don’t beat yourself up about it and don’t put pressure on yourself.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Be kind to yourself! I'm sure your horse won't have minded not being ridden. I had a 'oh sod it' moment this week and decided not to ride share horse, just did his usual jobs then gave his bridle a good clean. He doesn't care, and there's no pressure from his owner for me to ride every time. The weather was gloomy and matched my rubbish mood, I'd fallen off the week before, his stable was extra mucky and the wheelbarrow had stuff in it when I arrived so double trips to muck heap, and I felt really tired so I just thought to leave it for that day. Often I push through if I'm not feeling like it and it usually pays off to do so, but it was kind of nice to just let myself off the hook. Let yourself off the hook too

 

[Griffin]

I think it is worse to get on a horse and try to ride it if you are not feeling it to be honest.

As long as your horse is happy, healthy and getting sufficient, it doesn't matter if they get ridden or not. I have been lunging and long-reining mine since they have been in more because I want to stretch their legs a bit but I don't necessarily feel up to clambering aboard.

Also, I think it is really rather nice to just interact with your horse because you enjoy being with them without riding. I think it is nice for them too.

 

[Griffin]

Double post, sorry!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

August was the last time I sat on one of my own. Yes I know I ride 4-6 lots of racehorses a day most days when I am not away racing or clipping but I have absolutely no interest in riding my own in winter. Never have. Can't be bothered getting on soggy ponies to do pointless soggy work for no reason so I dont. They dont care. They like their lives as field bums. They have food, company and a smattering of a routine and it suits them.

Horses don't care if they are ridden or not so enjoy your winter off and don't feel guilty - I bet the beasts are loving the time off!

 

[Julie Ole Girl]

Aw thanks everyone yes they love their routine, and she's such a good girl when I do get on her. Luckily she has an underweight problem so she can eat, sleep, munch hay, look at the pheasants and rabbits in the field and she loves to come in for her tea and bed. Her stable looks out at our house with the lights on in the evening and cats coming and going, she's very calm. Happier New Year to you all x

 

[maisie06]

I feel the same - I have 2 working spaniels, we have got out 4 times this year and now no work in january due to lockdown and season ends 1st feb. I try tpo do a few minutes training each day but sometimes the weather is just so awful I don't " feel" it... But they seem happy enough so I try not to worry too much!

 

[dogatemysalad]

Guilt is a pointless emotion. It tends to make people feel useless and bad about themselves. It rarely motivates anyone to crack on.
If you don't feel motivated to ride, enjoy the time out without letting guilt spoil it.
I actually believe that horses do enjoy working (as long as they are comfortable, have a sympathetic rider and aren't stuck in a cycle of tedious, repetitive work.) Equally like humans, they also enjoy a holiday, especially if they have time in the field with good companions.
As Griffin said, it's better not to ride if you aren't feeling positive. We expect our horses to always do their best, but it's not fair when the rider isn't doing the same. That's not a criticism, it's just a fact of life. Everyone needs to stop and breathe sometimes.

 

[Auslander]

I haven't ridden mine since id November, after my back went pop in spectacular fashion. He couldnt care less - he comes in for an hour to eat some haylage and dry his legs off, and then goes back in the pen/field. He is perfectly content, and I know he will be exactly the same when I get back on him as he was when I last rode him. I'm not letting it bother me

 

[MereChristmas]

I have been hacking my new pony out as regularly as possible. I could not go for lessons as the school was being renovated.
I last rode on Christmas Day and since then the weather, wind, now snow, has intervened.
Today I have had an emergency tooth extraction, The pony’s jabs are booked for Monday and the temperature is forecast below freezing at night for at least a week so I have no idea when I will ride next.
I am glad that I don’t need to ride in the cold for a while and pony seems very happy in the snow and in his stable at night.
I will not be in a hurry to restart and will be checking the weather forecast carefully before I do.

 

[Shysmum]

As long as you are both happy, no problem ?

 

[Julie Ole Girl]

Catholic Guilt born in me, haha, yes, thanks all she seems pretty happy, big shiny black eyes.

 

[scats]

A few years ago I decided to take the pressure off myself in November and December. They are my worst months; I am really affected by the short days and always feel my depression, which I have battled with for 20 years and take long term medication for, rearing it’s head. I don’t worry about riding and I let the girls have more field time.
I feel the desire to ride pick up again in January and then I realise how much I’ve missed it.

Your horses sound like they have a wonderful life, I wouldn’t feel guilty about letting them have time to be horses x

 

[laura_nash]

I don't ride in winter, haven't done since I had my daughter - so 9 years. My horse has to live out (severe ROA) so I don't have the pressure to get him out of his stable to stretch his legs, I don't compete or need to keep him fit for anything in particular and I just don't see the point. Of course winter here is constant wind and rain, it might be different if we had more crisp winter days.

 

[Equi]

It happens to me all the time. I have not ridden since last tuesday. He has been lunged/free schooled/turned out and he is going GREAT at the mo and the fact i only have x amount of time left with him makes me feel even more guilty about it. But it is what it is. I planned to ride today but just wasn't in the mood. Maybe tomorrow!

 

[ycbm]

I've turned myself away for the winter I'm riding only when I really feel like it or don't want to let my trainer down at short notice.

I rode my mare in gentle snow but no wind this morning. Last time she was ridden was a week ago.,
.

 

[Sir barnaby]

I hate being cold so don’t ride whenever really cold, I’m lucky my horse doesn’t bother if he has time off he’s just the same when I eventually feel like riding he’s out most of the time so he’s moving about a lot so I just enjoy poo picking then going home for a nice cup of tea and a bit of a lazy day.

 

[Suechoccy]

I'm in Tier 4, with floods (Great Ouse in Cambs) so very few off-road routes above water to ride (and lots of walkers, cyclists and if I was riding, me, on them, making it more difficult to socially distance), and low sun on the village roads which makes visibility poorer, and morally it doesn't feel right to trailer horse to drier ground elsewhere just for a hack. This morning I spent time grooming them while they munched hay in the field, untangling their manes in the morning sunshine and listening to that lovely noise of hay munching. Curling up on settee with good book, good background music, watching birds in garden, mug of tea, packet of biscuits and box of chocolates and glass of Baileys is very attractive!

 

[MyBoyChe]

Havent ridden mine since the end of November and my granddaughter hasnt ridden her pony since mid December. They are happy in their winter routine, gd is still very much a beginner so she is only going to get too cold to enjoy it, Im getting too old to enjoy riding in the wet and cold so we are spending time on the ground with them, grooming etc Fortunately gd is very happy doing jobs around the yard and just loves being with the boys. I swing from feeling guilty to not giving a damn, the boys dont care, gd doesnt care so why should I

 

[Julie Ole Girl]

I feel better reading all your replies thank you, yes, wine, crisps and TV are too appealing right now. They are happy girls I think.