Looking for my horsy mojo - need a prod/kick/hug?

[Lacuna]

Its gorgeous weather outside, longer evenings and everyone I know is out and about. But I still haven't found my riding mojo this year.

I have 2 cobs at home who are doing sterling service at their primary role as lawnmowers and helping to manage the land. Last year I was on board as soon as the ground dried out and was off - this year I have the youngster to start as well if I fancied. But I can't even seem to think about getting started this month, just getting a bit overwhelmed by the amount of stuff to do. I would love to get out and about but haven't got transport (can't really afford or justify buying a box or even a trailer) and whilst there is a local riding school there is virtually no livery round here to get to know a local group of riders. My time is also taken up a bit more by new dog so feeling a bit time poor at the moment.

I suppose I just need a plan for getting back into it or a kick up the bum.

 

[Red-1]

I dare say they are very happy just as they are.

I wonder what age/sex you are. It is quite common for ladies of a certain age to take a step back for a few years as hormones are changing. Apologies if you do not have female hormones or are not of that age.

Also, I know a few people who have never got over a bout of covid. They are able to function but have lost the grr to also fit other stuff into their day.

 

[rextherobber]

If you're on social media, could you advertise for a hacking buddy? They could come to you if they have transport. Or ask on the HHO regional pages? Or offer one of them for loan, so you have someone super eager to gee you along? I used to find if I felt like that, if I made myself ride, it wasn't many days before I wanted to, and I felt better mentally for getting out and doing it too. Hacking with a dog is good fun, can you train your new dog to come along? The other point is, horses being what they are, you never know when not being able to ride them again will happen, for whatever accident, injury or ailment ... Hope you have less to deal with and feel better soon.

 

[Peglo]

I occasionally gets bouts of not being fussed to ride. Especially when I feel I have too much on. Once in the saddle again though I get my mojo back but I do enjoy riding with people so maybe finding someone to hack with you would be a good idea.

Lovely cobs btw. I’m sure you’d find someone very keen to join you if you wanted a riding companion.

 

[Squeak]

If you've got loads on at the moment and don't have much time then I'd just take the pressure off. You don't have to ride and chances are when you have time you'll feel like riding again but trying to squeeze it in when you don't have time can really make it feel like a chore.

If you do have time and it's just that you don't feel like it then I'd do as the others suggest and maybe try and find someone to hack with you or something.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I've taken the pressure off myself this year competing wise and I'm just enjoying riding as and when I want to. Horse is plenty fit enough for the clinics I attend etc but all pressure is off and it feels wonderful!! If your horses are perfectly happy in their role as lawnmowers then I wouldn't worry.

 

[Tarragon]

Perhaps you just need to get the first couple of rides in? Sometimes, just getting back into the saddle and seeing the world from the back of a friend, will give you the kickstart you need.
But I also echo what others have said, I don't think that your ponies actually mind that much ;-)

 

[Catbird]

I'll have any prods or kicks if they're going spare! Got my new horse in Feb and we've had a very interrupted start (rain, lameness, rain, yard move, fall, noone to ride with) and I'm half desperate to get back to enjoying riding and half finding excuses to put it off. Horse doesn't really care but his waistline is starting to and think Tarragon is right, if you want to get going then getting a few rides in is good. I just need to take that advice too...!

 

[Annagain]

Do you know anyone locally that you could arrange to ride with? I find making plans with someone else is best to give me a kick up the bum. I'm not riding at the moment as I have a prolapsed disc and sciatica and, while the consultant has said it's ok for me to ride it bleddy hurts and I don't enjoy it. My sharer is going great guns with him so it's fine at the moment as he's being ridden so will be ready for me when I am ready to get back on but I have noticed the less I do, the less I want to do.

 

[Lacuna]

I like the idea of a riding buddy - would have to be local and I'm only just getting to know the local riding community after moving here a few years ago. As the grass is getting better then I think I should be getting the ponies moving more.

I'm not worries about what they think. They don't really care about working - they would just loaf forever if I didn't drag them out of the field every now and then.