how do you motivate yourself to ride in Winter?

[GeeGeeboy]

I am getting really bad at getting up and out to ride this winter ( i know its not even really started yet) It doesnt help that my boy is on grass livery so not really got anywhere to brush/tack up under cover. Was just wondering how you motivate yourself to get out there on the horrible weather days?

 

[HollyWoozle]

I have the same problem as I don't really have anywhere sensible to tack up, the fields are very muddy and my horse can be a bit of stressful one sometimes (I love her and she's much improved, but I always have to be on edge). I find that I am motivated by the desire to 'keep her ticking over' so to speak. We only ride about twice a week in this weather - one lesson and one hack, or more if we can get it, but that is plenty to keep her active and to not lose all her fitness and muscle we have built up.

My horse won't hack alone so I am usually left waiting until someone can walk or cycle with me but my Mum just got a new horse so we should be able to go out together on horseback. I think this will improve matters greatly. Do you have anyone you can ride with?

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Hunting!!!
Horses have to be kept fit, they live out so its a quick scrape off of mud where the tack touches and we zoom out before work then just scrape off more when hunting

 

[Kenzo]

Well I can't ride in mornings now during the week (before work) as it's now too dark, I used to tacked up for 6.30 and by the time I'd warmed up in the school or got out on the roads it was light enough but now it's not even light at 7.15, the moon was still out this morning!

Riding in evenings however, I try to convince myself not to be so lazy, riding is the only physical exercise I do so that tends to get get me motivated, otherwise my riding boots won't zip up when I start putting some chunk on

 

[posie_honey]

mine also lives out 24/7 356 with no electricity at field etc - so no excuse there

usually i'd say hunting - but my mare had an accident a few weeks back and is only just back into normal work - and although she hasn't lost too much fitness i can't afford my cap for the few days i'd planned to go now due to vet bills

so now - i'm riding sat/sun - hiring an arena on a thurs night - and just riding in the dark on tuse and wed - and i've booked into some RC Dr and Sj at weekends - so to not totally embarrass myself in public i have to get my ass in gear to get her working in a half decent way! that is what is currently motivating me

 

[smellsofhorse]

I never had trouble.
I love caring for, looking after and riding my horses.
Even on 2 hours sleep, i will happily get up at 5am to see to them.
Ride in all weathers and am very disappointing when things like snow stop me riding, but not caring for them!

Maybe find a sharer so your horses gets ridden, brushed etc with out you having to do it all.
Or maybe move yards?
Somewhere with more facilities may inspire you to do more!