Having a bad few weeks never getting to ride

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Mary3050

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Hi Guys,

Felling a bit down mainly due to excess work load meaning Not getting much ride time when I do get horsy time it’s not going great as I feel time pressure or not going well . The horses get worked when I am not around so I know there fine. But i feel my time with the horses isn’t enjoyable. I feel guilty for moaning as I know how lucky I am to have an amazing coach/ team look after them and amazing facilities outdoor school and indoor etc

I still feel I am in a winter slump … mainly because I don’t like riding in the dark caused by if we want to ride in the dark with lights on we have to ride with other people (new rule due to Electric prices) . I don’t mind riding with others I often ride with my coach and grooms but I just feel riding with some specific livery’s isn’t fun ( more stress) . First off in summer if I didn’t ride early/ lunch I rode at 3:30- 4 before the arrival of most of the yard due to needing lights . Now I have to wait until 4:45 to get on. Then i feel I can’t enjoy my rides as often there are riders with naughty/ spooky horses . I also feel as I don’t do lots of complicated movements me and my horse get shoved into funny shapes so don’t get to school properly. For example last week was I had arranged to ride with another livery at 4:15 so we could ride just with us two . We put some music on due to wind . Was having a nice ride all chilled then another ride comes down with a relatively new horse . Never said anything came in, got on then went can we switch the music off the horse doesn’t like it . I went okay we only put on to block out the wind . Note I put the music on as i had a bad fall in the wind so it make me anxious she was aware . The horse seemed relaxed . I walked over to the switch flicked it off said horse came galloping at me bucking . Rider went that’s why you shouldn’t have music on he’s so sensitive. After this the ride was a little rude just riding to close for comfort . With in a few minutes the other lady said I think I am done so we both left . We let the other ride know and she go annoyed as her horse would be upset . I only have to ride evening 2/3 times a week but it’s getting to me .

Then I feel last week all I have done is lunge one horse specifically who needs work due to medical conditions.
- Monday lunged short of time
- Tuesday rode by groom
- weds quick lunge for vet check
- Thursday off due to weds treatment
- Friday lunged as came in fresh galloped and bucked for 30 mins
- Finally rode Saturday horse felt stiff went steady
- Sunday got on horse Seemed unhappy then tried to get down like was colicky - jumped off then walked seemed fine vets told me to lunge agin - lunged all was fine thank god

Essentially all week I have lunged . Got on my usually very lovely other horse . Who I haven’t ridden for 5 days but was ridden by coach at least 3 days as I was busy . Got on the horse spooked not normal at all . I got off as felt very fresh went to lunge horse bucked and galloped for a good 30 minutes. I also haven’t had a coach session for over a week as my schedule or my coaches won’t match . I then feel my horse aren’t being kept to my normal standards nothing they will be in harm with out (one needs a tail wash just Looks a mess, tack needs a clean, boots need washing/ saddle pads etc But the yard is quite a fancy place with owners who either pay someone to do the grooming, tack cleaning etc or are funded by parents so don’t work and have all day to spend .

I know it sounds really bad as I am so lucky but I just feel the horses are usually my fun time but I would rather be working than riding . Like I would rather work out in a late meeting at work so I justify having my coach ride . So I can just go give them so cuddles and treats instead .

Any advance or is it just time of year
Many thanks
 
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Abacus

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It sounds as though you 'want to want to ride' but don't, because of some difficulties when you do - freshness, etc - which is affecting your confidence. And that the busy-ness at work is a bit of an excuse because you are in that mindset (I mean this in a kind way). A couple of options:

- focus on one horse for a week, work it hard, and see if behaviour etc improves
- have a break - give the horses one too if you don't want to pay to have them ridden
- look at your yard setup which sounds as though it's not ideal and isn't helping you get on your horses. Can you speak to the owners about your concerns? Do you have options?
- the thing about having to ride with others is awful. I would hate this, I only really school alone (lucky that I can ride in daylight), very occasionally with one other but find I spend most of the time planning my route so as not to crash
- do you have good yard friends who know the horses that you could talk to?
 
sbloom

sbloom

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Fieldlife

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sbloom said:
I think switching focus in the winter can really help, groundwork, building your relationship with them, that kind of shrinking of actvities, and yet paying them possibly MORE attention as to their needs. I just shared this this morning on FB, only slightly related, but you get the gist about shifting mindset:

https://www.facebook.com/yasminstua...5LP1aXigBksT6BohbP5wdan8z2qvqTGCXzgqeQyPALNxl
Click to expand...

I love doing groundwork / in hand work / ground pole work / stretches / releases etc. But I struggle with a lot of the really connected stuff it there is another horse moving at speed in arena at the same time. I like it best when it is just me and my horse.

I am a bit antisocial about riding with others (though perfectly capable of doing so in competition warm ups) and mostly go out of my way to avoid others in the arena. I am lucky that the arenas I use are pretty quiet early in the morning!
 
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Wishfilly

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I would ask your YO if you can pay a small additional fee and have solo use of the school for say 30 minutes on certain days? I'd explain the issue with the other livery- empahsize that she nearly caused an accident as her horse was not fully in control. If you say you don't feel safe riding with certain others, they may offer a different solution?

However, it sounds like a big yard with lots of people wanting to use the school at one time? Is there only one school? Is there any sort of booking system e.g. for lessons?
 
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Fieldlife

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Mary3050 said:
Hi Guys,
I then feel my horse aren’t being kept to my normal standards nothing they will be in harm with out (one needs a tail wash just Looks a mess, tack needs a clean, boots need washing/ saddle pads etc But the yard is quite a fancy place with owners who either pay someone to do the grooming, tack cleaning etc or are funded by parents so don’t work and have all day to spend .
Click to expand...

I think feeling everything is scruffy / muddy / greasy / dirty and that you arent keeping on top of things comes with the territory for this time of year. As does a bit of jealousy for those not working who have more time. Be kind to you self and work out what is important and what is cosmetic. And what cosmetic things are worth doing because they boost morale.

If you chose not to ride one evening re lights and work tiredness, could you wash tail / clean tack / do the horsey laundry / smarten up manes and tails etc.

Or if finances permit, could you pay to have this done as a one off treat, as you are working longer hours elsewhere?
 
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Leandy

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If I were you, I would look into whether I could use the school lights just for myself by paying a bit extra. No harm in asking anyway. I would say though that there is an art to riding with others in an arena. If you are not comfortable with it then it would be worth trying to get yourself more focussed and less distracted so you make effective use of the school even when others are around. Then you won't feel so frustrated that you aren't doing what you want to do. Also, given the school rule about use of lights and the fact that this may be meaning that people need to ride together more than previously, it would be worth speaking to the YO and getting them to agree a set of rules on use of the school and to send a reminder on rules and being considerate and safe to everyone. This especially if others are actually being a bit inconsiderate which is leading to your problems. It is the case though that if the school is busy and it is the only place to ride after dark, then you will have to accept that sometimes it won't always be possible to do exactly what you planned to do. Unfortunately, that is part of the give and take of a busy yard. Overall though, don't beat yourself up about this. You do it for fun, so it should be fun and if it isn't there is no harm in giving one or more of your horses a break for a spell or leave exercising to the yard, whether that is a few days or a few months.
 
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