Mojo lost in the dark

[JulesRules]

I appear to have lost my mojo ?

Took Smudge for a hack about 10 days ago but haven't ridden Rory for at least 2 weeks. I figured a few days off wouldn't do them any harm, but I need to get my mojo back and get on and riding.

I didn't book any lessons as the lorry MOT ran out, but it's passed so no problem. Not sure if my instructor is teaching in lockdown as haven't bothered to ask.

If anybody has seen my mojo or knows where I could find some please let me know......

 

[J&S]

You will find it on the next sunny day!

 

[Roxylola]

I have found when I go up early enough to ride in the morning I'm more likely to crack on and ride than if I go to ride in the evening. Its vile getting out of bed though

 

[scats]

I feel your pain. I’ve struggled since my early twenties to be motivated in the dark (I was fine as a teenager!). I write most of November and December off to be honest. I ride when the weathers good and I feel like it, mostly just a hack or a stretch in the school. I get my mojo back in January.

 

[alexomahony]

I feel a bit like this atm - so judging by the posts above, you are far from alone!

Mine have both had some time off through Sept and Oct barring the odd weekend hack but I’ve now started to bring them back into work again and I might be mental to choose this time of year.

I rode them both tonight in the school for the first time and I felt like a sack of spuds - absolutely useless, weak and floppy which has made me almost think ‘sod or’ and give them another month off ?

But no - must carry on and it will begin to come together soon, and OP, if you keep at and you will feel better and more motivated soon!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

When I used to ride in the dark I had my horse on a livery yard, I had another friend that was there at the same time and we often just had a hack around the school if no one else was in there, sometimes if you don't fancy schooling it's just nice to have a walk and trot round and have a chat, even if it's 20 minutes it's a bit of exercise and just breaks up the week.

 

[Bernster]

Similar here. Feel guilty as there’s not much else to do with lock down and I could really be making the most of this, but not as motivated when it’s dark and the weather is bad. I am still riding but didn’t go down tonight for instance when I could have although will be down the next 3 days so not bad really. Horses are fine as they get exercised anyway, but I would like to find my mojo too.

It def helps me to know if my friend will be up as well, and riding at the weekends when it’s light is much easier. I’m hoping to do some of the weekly exercise sessions from here which might help.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Same here. I don’t have a hacking friend, and my boy won’t go in his own (he’s an arse - and I lost my confidence on the road after an accident years ago) so I’m limited to riding in the fields at home which have been so wet! He doesn’t mind having the time off but it does make me feel abit rubbish that I’m not riding.

 

[JulesRules]

Newsflash, I rode last night everyone and enjoyed it.

Smudge's sharer hasn't been around for a couple of weeks as she was playing it safe due to a Covid case on her yard ( she has a retired boy and a youngster on a yard just down the road). I got there before her and did all the jobs and when she arrived I was like " all you need to do is tack up" so we both rode and did some fun quadrille exercises for a change which we all enjoyed.

I think arranging to ride with someone is definitley the key. I'm not good in the mornings, and already have to get up too early for my liking to turn out and drive 20 miles to be at work by 8.15 so I can't see that working for me?

Hope everyone else finds their mojo soon!

 

[j1ffy]

It's really tough at this time of year - a friend of mine always gave her horse an 8 week holiday in the run-up to Christmas and I'm starting to think it's the way to go! I really struggled for a couple of weeks but now I'm getting used to the dark again so the mojo is slowly returning...

The exercises that MP is sharing are motivating me - 'Dressage With Georgia' is sharing three a week during lockdown so it takes a few schooling sessions a week to keep up with them. I have also booked a lesson for next Friday so I'm feeling motivated to make sure my 'homework' from the last lesson is done too.

Hacking is tricky due to the dark but getting a friend to hack at weekends helps (especially if they're entertaining and like a good gossip!).

 

[scats]

It's really tough at this time of year - a friend of mine always gave her horse an 8 week holiday in the run-up to Christmas and I'm starting to think it's the way to go! I really struggled for a couple of weeks but now I'm getting used to the dark again so the mojo is slowly returning...

The exercises that MP is sharing are motivating me - 'Dressage With Georgia' is sharing three a week during lockdown so it takes a few schooling sessions a week to keep up with them. I have also booked a lesson for next Friday so I'm feeling motivated to make sure my 'homework' from the last lesson is done too.

Hacking is tricky due to the dark but getting a friend to hack at weekends helps (especially if they're entertaining and like a good gossip!).

I normally give mine November off and then do a few hacks a week in December and just cruise our way to Christmas. I did ride at the start of November, but they’ve had the last week off and I’ll give them til this weekend and then see how I feel. I’m enjoying the break, I have to say!