struggling to find time and motivation

[caroline23]

Not sure if it is the dark nights but i feel i am struggling keeping my horse both in time and motivation. I think ive ridden about twice since clocks went back, never on a weekday. He is still a bit podgy from summer so i feel bad as he should be ridden more. I have a sharer who goes twice a week however i still do the weekday morning as i only live a few mins away from yard. With him being so close to me i really have no excuse. I work full time 9-5, self study, trying to start my own side business and also have a dog. I feel as I am out the house during work my dog needs the time rather than riding as in winter she gets shorter walks during the week as i cant go round the local fields etc. It does make me wonder if i should sell as he isnt getting the full attention someone without these other things could give him and that makes me feel guilty.....anyone else ever feel like this?

 

[scats]

Winter is really tough, especially when you work and have other animals, you always feel like someone is missing out.

Does your horse get plenty of turnout? I would take the pressure off yourself, provided he gets turnout, then not being ridden regularly for a few months won't kill him. Just make sure you adjust feed accordingly.

I put so much pressure on myself in winter because I just lose motivation, but in reality, if I'm having a bad day or I just can't face the wet and cold, I know the horses have been out all day and are quite happy to just come in to a warm stable full of hay and don't desperately need to be ridden. I find that by February I start picking up again and wanting to get back into it. I just tick them over until then.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Winter is incredibly difficult when you work full time. I’ve not got sole care of our two dogs and still struggle!

I’ve been ok so far this winter, partially I think as we had a really fun, action packed summer together and I’ve set a few goals for the Spring. But, we’ve still got a long winter ahead of us and I’m sure motivation will dip as it usually does at some point!

I’ve also, quite by chance, had to take my stupid amount of annual leave and accrued lieu time left from work and need to use it by December & this has really helps. I’ve not got a full 5 day week left and even being able to ride once a week in the daylight (aside from weekends) really helps more than I thought it would. I’m seriously thinking of saving some annual leave for winter riding next year.


Can or does your sharer want to do more days? This may help you through the winter, I personally wouldn’t sell until Spring, as you may find you regret it when the lighter evenings and better ground come.

Do you have a sandschool? Could you lunge once a week instead of ride, as it takes less time, you don’t need to de-mud quite so much and it will still give you the feeling that he’s ‘done’ something.

If he needs to lose a little weight, you could also start soaking hay if you are not already. I’m assuming you’ve also reduced feed. I purposely ‘under rug’ (or not rug at all) my native – not so much that he’s cold, but just to encourage him to use a few more calories to keep warm.

But, I agree with Scats , providing your horse gets daily turn out then I think most will be more than happy with a drop in work load over the winter months! If you don’t feel like riding, then don’t ride – it is supposed to be fun, not another chore. If it helps, the shortest day is just over a month away and it’ll start getting lighter from there in

 

[Antw23uk]

Blimey take the pressure off, the clocks have only just changed and we've a long way to go, lol I will hack my boy Saturday and Sunday, its slow and boring .. actually I didnt ride Saturday because it was miserable so like you I've not ridden much since the clocks changed and he is getting podgy. I am putting no pressure on myself this year. He's at home so out 24/7 at the moment and feed is a pinch of chaff for supplements and he isn't on the hay yet (16.2 ISHxID) I've no school and barely any decent lighting, lol so no chance of riding.
I see him in the morning when I spend ten minutes poo picking (if its not raining) and I take the dog with me and kick a football as I walk wheelbarrow from poo to poo! I go home at lunch as well so dog gets twenty minutes then as well. In the evenings its pitch dark when I get home so I chuck dog in car, she comes to yard with me, I spend about 40 minues at yard doing nothing as its too dark but a little groom, feet etc and then I walk the dog round the perimeter fencing with a spot light to check its all up, I kick a football for her or she chases the rabbits under the spotlight and then I'm home, up the back of the garden to lock the chickens up, replenish food and water for the morning etc

Take the pressure off, there is a lot of us in the same boat and its only a few weeks *ahem*

 

[mytwofriends]

Your horse won't give two hoots how much he's ridden. Avoid making riding a chore, have a ride when (and only when) you want to, and if you can't or don't feel like it, who cares?

 

[Abi90]

I'm having to take the pressure off myself too. I feel compelled to ride but I don't feel like it after work in the dark, especially when I'm often up there alone. I think if it was busier I might have more motivation.

We're going showjumping on Sunday so I'm trying to keep the riding up for that but once that's done we're done until early Feb at the earliest so he can chill in the field until then!

 

[SallyBatty]

You could always ask your sharer if he/she would like to ride extra days for no extra cost.

 

[pinkypug1]

Try working fulltime 9-5, 2 horses, 2 dogs a cat, a non horsey OH who works long hours running his own business and 2 demanding little boys under 5!!!! Horses are on part livery so I only go up in the evening it's dark and no one else is about but I kinda like the quiet, and I ride 4 days per week lunge the others. . If you want to do it all you gotta suck it up and get on with it

 

[mytwofriends]

Try working fulltime 9-5, 2 horses, 2 dogs a cat, a non horsey OH who works long hours running his own business and 2 demanding little boys under 5!!!! Horses are on part livery so I only go up in the evening it's dark and no one else is about but I kinda like the quiet, and I ride 4 days per week lunge the others. . If you want to do it all you gotta suck it up and get on with it

I am in awe - even in my keener days (we're talking 25+ years ago here), I can honestly say I never had that much dedication!

 

[buddylove]

I'm not pushing myself to ride this winter. We have groundwork/manners to sort as top priority!!