Is is bad to not ride if im tired and cant be bothered :-o

My pony would eat me if I tried to ride her every day lol!
So I try to ride her every other day, but on days where I'm tired, in a grump or my back is hurting, I'll just give her a groom and some love, no harm done! If it's more than a couple days off I always take her for a good burn when back in the saddle :)
 
I think Barnacle has a really valid point. Some days, you just don't feel like riding. And sometimes, you find yourself still riding despite the fact that you aren't enjoying it anymore. We sink a lot of time, money and love into our riding pursuits, and that can make it hard to admit that you are really over it and would like to take a break.
 
OK, yes I suppose you are right barnacle... sorry to laugh at your post.

I guess I just saw it as couldn't be bothered that night, not that there could be other issues bubbling away under the surface.
 
Sometimes when I feel like this, once I'm up there with him, I feel a bit more rejuvenated and ride...if I don't I lunge him or give him a day off.... Although I do try and limit his days off to two per week and try to do that when weather is bad... tomo is meant to be awful so he can have a day off then!!!
 
No, it's not bad. I think quite often if you force yourself to ride when you're not really in the mood for it/tired then it ends up being counter-productive.
 
If you don't want to ride, for whatever reason, then don't. No reason to feel bad, in fact, probably the best thing to do, and most horses really don't mind.
 
When I have had a draining day at school, got stuck in traffic for hours often it's the last thing I feel like doing. This year I have just had a youngster was really ill from Easter for about 6 weeks and get all energy was taken getting back to work to mark coursework giving a 100% yet functioning about 80%! My cob mare is still out in field but other highland and youngster being ridden. The secret is a freezer or even a ready meal when you are going to ride and lunch made in fridge as you go! Don't feel guilty, work life balance is so hard!
 
It's fine not to ride, if you are tired and stressed you are not going to do your horse or your confidence any favours.

However if this work pattern is likely to continue for a while I might look at making changes. Can you get more services at the yard so you don't have to do jobs and ride but can just ride. If you horse is the sort that is better being ridden consistently, could you get a sharer?
It might take some of the pressure off.
 
Maybe you've got the wrong horse as well. Riding my horse never fails to make me happier however tired or can't be bothered I might feel. Previous horses didn't always do that and having her and having lots of lessons has improved my riding and my general enjoyment. In May my working day is 17 hours plus as I am lambing. I still relished riding my horse even if just for 30 mins in the field.
 
I'm a.ways ecstatic when I've ridden, but I haven't ridden properly for about three years now. I deliberately looked for a horse that wasn't hot if left unridden. Mine is ridden twice a week max, sometimes more, sometimes less.

If you're on a downward spiral and make a lot of excuses about not riding, perhaps consider getting a sharer if you want to keep the horse and just do the looking after. If it's a confidence thing, a great trainer is key, I find. I love having my boy, but it wouldn't be fair for me to ride him at my current weight and distinct lack of fitness.

If it's simply a case of occasional tiredness, then don't beat yourself up! Your horse won't care unless it's one that needs to work to remain sane.
 
I haven't ridden my cob since Christmas!! I only feel guilty when my OH asks why he is working to help keep my five horses and I don't ride. Three are miniatures and my old retired mare so it's only the cob that gets ridden anyway but through the winter it's almost impossible as he lives out 24/7 unrugged so is usually wet and dirty then in the spring he sweats up too much but I really need to make an effort to get on him soon. He doesn't seem to mind anyway.
 
You don't even have to ride to keep a horse - the simple act of greeting my horse at the paddock each day even in the middle of winter (gets me outside) is brilliant for my mental health nothing more relaxing than a fluffy nose on ya neck after a stressful day.
 
Hello everyone. Thank you for all your responses. Crikey, it opened up a can of worms didn't it. There's absolutely nothing bubbling up under the surface - I just genuinely couldn't be bothered ��. Yes, I have a new horse, and am building up my confidence and getting to know her, and yes, sometimes I'm a little bit nervous, but that would be a whole different thread with a different subject title. Tho the confidence thing isn't a huge issue - were making very good progress and even popped a cross pole last night - chuffed to bits with her and myself !!!! I am just a leisure rider, with a full time job, home and husband which all need and deserve my time, so sometimes a pony ride is pretty low in the priorities list. For the record I didn't ride that night and really enjoyed having an early tea and some time with the husband. Thank you all for your resonses, some of which did make me chuckle a bit ������
 
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Oh, those funny question mark thingies were supposed to be smiley faces :-)

Ok confused now - on the computer they show as faces, on my phone they show as question marks. Technology not my strong point (???). Xxx
 
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