Ever feel like giving up....

[MuddyMonster]

EVERYTHING that being tied to horses prevented us from doing: travel, leaving the farm for more than eight hours, being able to talk about something not related to horses……

I have plenty of conversations that don't revolve around horses (or dogs) .... I'm not sure you need to give up horses for that to happen Have fun on your new adventures though!

Edited: Posted too early - phone was having a temperamental few minutes.

 

[sportsmansB]

I struggle massively at this time of year and I am lucky enough to have my horse on a yard with good facilities

The thing which made the difference for me last winter was riding in the morning first thing. Before work. Meant I had the arena to myself, I got it 'out of the way' and lost the guilt that I used to feel after a day at work when I didn't want to go to the yard, lost that feeling of being ungrateful which hangs over me when I don't want to ride - and meant that if I did feel like doing something 'normal' in the evening, I could because I had already ridden. I never did want to do anything in the evening though... Also meant I got a bit of daylight, and the dogs well exercised.

Consider changing up your routine to see if doing things a different way works better for you?

 

[MuddyMonster]

I struggle massively at this time of year and I am lucky enough to have my horse on a yard with good facilities

The thing which made the difference for me last winter was riding in the morning first thing. Before work. Meant I had the arena to myself, I got it 'out of the way' and lost the guilt that I used to feel after a day at work when I didn't want to go to the yard, lost that feeling of being ungrateful which hangs over me when I don't want to ride - and meant that if I did feel like doing something 'normal' in the evening, I could because I had already ridden. I never did want to do anything in the evening though... Also meant I got a bit of daylight, and the dogs well exercised.

Consider changing up your routine to see if doing things a different way works better for you?

That's a really good point. In the week, I always do my jobs and ride in the morning.

It means getting up quite early to muck out before riding but it also means in the evening all I need to do is bring in & pick out feet as a minimum and I can either be home by 6.30pm to chill on the sofa with a glass of wine, help cook dinner, do a home work (admittedly the sofa wins most of the time ...) or we try to do something totally unhorsey with MrMM or friends.

 

[planete]

The main reason I am not giving up though I know it is long overdue is that I really do not want to do any of the other things I would normally do now like travelling, going out, joining various group activities. Covid has shrunk my world and without the pony to get me out of the house I would be impossible to live with.

 

[[59668]]

I struggle massively at this time of year and I am lucky enough to have my horse on a yard with good facilities

The thing which made the difference for me last winter was riding in the morning first thing. Before work. Meant I had the arena to myself, I got it 'out of the way' and lost the guilt that I used to feel after a day at work when I didn't want to go to the yard, lost that feeling of being ungrateful which hangs over me when I don't want to ride - and meant that if I did feel like doing something 'normal' in the evening, I could because I had already ridden. I never did want to do anything in the evening though... Also meant I got a bit of daylight, and the dogs well exercised.

Consider changing up your routine to see if doing things a different way works better for you?

I already ride first thing in the morning for the same reasons as you! Also there is no better feeling than a crisp morning hack at this time of year...even if I feel meh getting myself there I always feel better once I'm on and after.

 

[sportsmansB]

I already ride first thing in the morning for the same reasons as you! Also there is no better feeling than a crisp morning hack at this time of year...even if I feel meh getting myself there I always feel better once I'm on and after.

Isn't it amazing the difference it makes to your state of mind?
I have negotiated a change of working arrangements specifically so I can keep it up this winter at least 3 out of the 5 working days per week (last winter was easier due to being locked down and working 100% from home)
Being able to just bed down at home on a rainy evening knowing that the horse is done, the dogs are exercised and I don't have to feel guilty for not going anywhere is priceless to me.