How do you stay motivated over winter?

HORSE Mag

HORSE Mag

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www.horsemagazine.co.uk
Now that the clocks have changed, the days are shorter and it's definitely getting colder and wetter. Here at Horse, we admit to finding it a bit of a struggle to drum up the enthusiam to go and ride in the evenings after a hard day in the office.

So, we want to know, what keeps you motivated to keep training your horse over the winter? Is it the full diary of competitions you have planned that you need to keep your horse fit for, or does the thought of the amount of hard-earned cash you're spending on your equestrian pursuits provide you with the get up and go?

What's your secret weapon for keeping going on those cold, dark days? Please email your thoughts to jennifer_hughes@ipcmedia.com.
 
usually its hunting - have to keep her fit to go. this year she's just had 2 weeks off injured so i doubt i'll get her back up fit enough to go again - so motivation has dropped significantly - now i'm just aiming for lessons and a few low level dressage and SJ comps - and its actually lovely to have the pressure off! now if it is really nasty i don't bother riding whereas before i'd go out in all weathers. (i only hack so no nice covered arena for us if its sleeting etc)
 
I wasn't able to ride my girl all summer so at last we are able to get out and about again, not wasting it! I don't ride in the evenings, just can't summon up the energy and enthusiasm to make it useful riding time after a busy day, no lights in the school too and I'm not up for schooling in the dark! We have also just started having lessons, feeling us both progress each week is an enormous boost to keep riding to practise and build fitness in between each lesson. At last we are competative and things are going well, I'm not going to slow up now for anything!!
 
I don't! I have nowhere to ride in the evenings in the winter after work. I take a half day every friday (from saving up my leave) and ride then and at the weekend. On top of that I might take an extra day or two to go compete in the week - as it means much less hanging around at BS than during the weekends.

That means then I have more of the weekend to myself, and don't have to spend it loitering in the cafe at a freezing event :D
 
winter really kills me and trying to keep my horse fit with the dark nights and kids to feed and a full time job proves a nightmare. i think just being able to spend time with my horse keeps me going, and really making weekends count, when i have the time to really fuss over him!
motivation is something i like during the winter months so i have to have a timetable and stick to it...especially with the schooling! we are lucky as our yard has a huge floodlit arena, so we have no excuse to keep our horses ticking over, and we try to school with others so we can sometimes keep it fun by playing some games in the school with the horses!
 
I work with horses so theres no way of getting round it, my motivation comes from the thought of getting back indoors to the fire and chain drinking tea and eating pancakes like its going out of fashion! Also those perfect winter days when yr out hunting a fab horse or on the gallops, makes putting yr hands into iced water a teeny tiny bit more bearable!!
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I'm totally competative... so the thought of that extra session in the school might result in me winning something is always enough motivation for me...

And a hot bath is so much better when you're cold and miserable.

Bx
 
When you live in Siberia, where in winter it regularly reaches -25c with only 7 hours daylight, nice big indoor areas with good lighting and heating! :D
Well lit and paved walkways, automatic heated water troughs and thermal underwear also help! :p
 
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