How do you get your riding mojo back?

[Ambers mum]

I have been out of the saddle two on this and struggling to motivate myself to ride again. Basically after a bad year I still managed to ride most days and lunge my daughters pony. Since November when I was diagnosed with depression and a lump appeared on my spine, plus the bad weather I just go up muck out and go home. I can't motivate myself to ride again.

I know once I get back on I will be fine, it's just I can't be bothered to ride at the moment...

What do you do to make yourself ride?

I need to ride or my hubby will be annoyed at the way I have managed to keep the horses while I am studying as I am not earning at the moment...

 

[debsflo]

Be kind to yourself. If you are being treated for depression it will effect your motivation,energy and enjoyment plus this time of year is really hard. Im sure your oh would want you to be well and taking pressure off yourself will help. Have a break and come spring you will prob be raring to go..

 

[Annagain]

Could you arrange to ride with a friend so that you can't back out of it. I always find that helps to motivate me. It would probably give you a bit more confidence too if you're worried about it.

 

[showpony]

This! OP I dont suffer from Depression BUT I have a close family member that does. I know it tend to affect motivation BUT if you arranged to ride out with someone you obviously wont want to let them down.... TBH I went through a tough year last year & felt incredibly down - the ONLY thing that got my mind switched off was Riding. Bet you will feel a million times better when you get back in the saddle

Could you arrange to ride with a friend so that you can't back out of it. I always find that helps to motivate me. It would probably give you a bit more confidence too if you're worried about it.

 

[Ambers mum]

My riding companions are my daughters and my sister but they don't get to ride with me at the moment...I don't go back to go college till Tuesday and my daughter is off Monday too so maybe that's a plan x thanks xxx

 

[TrasaM]

I finally admitted to myself and family that I was depressed in November too. I'd had a fall in August and broken my collar bone just two weeks after my dad died. Seems being inactive plus lack of horse contact had resulted in my taking a nosedive mood wise. Once I was back riding and able to get out more I started to feel better. I kept putting my return to having lessons off fir AGRs although I had started to do shorting easy hacks after two months. Riding and being around the horses has really helped me. Unless I have pre arranged times to ride I can still just not bother so I now make sure that do that otherwise I just wimp out.