Will my riding mojo come back?

[jjbarney]

Has anyone else lost their riding mojo? I have been riding for over 50 years and with the bad weather ended up having about 6 weeks off over Christmas. Then we had gale force winds for a few weeks. Started riding last Monday and whereas he was very good considering, I didn't seem to enjoy it as normal. Do you think it is the dank drizzly weather or is it gone for good. Maybe it's because I haven't really got anyone to hack with. The girl that rides the most on my yard seems to prefer schooling and if we do go out, it tends to be a wander around the village. I'm really finding it quite upsetting that my passion of 50 years is lost. Shall I get a toy boy instead. Wouldn't have to muck him out

 

[speedbird]

Im exactly the same !! I turned my horse out everyday during the snow and quite enjoyed having an excuse not to ride. I have a new (to me ) lorry sitting outside and i haven 't used it for so long. I can't be bothered to go to any shows and i haven't been hunting either and hunting is my thing ! Any excuse and I ll pull out. Was actually wondering if it was worth owning a horse. saying that, today I entered my riding club s indoor eventers challenge which is local to me, i entered in advance to make myself go and now im commited ,im quite looking forward to it ! I think the dark evenings don't help, who wants to do anything when its dank and dreary ? Persevere until the nice weather and im sure you ll be glad. you re not sussex/surrey area are you ?

 

[thespanishmane]

yes, it will! same here - been doing it almost 50 years, fed up with mud, full time job, dark evenings. Got (new to me) lorry last september, and not used as much I would have hoped. But......when there is a decent day, and the whatnots behave, it still feels great (even if I dont the next day!) The real thing that bugs me is when I'm sitting at my desk, flogging my guts out for the NHS, the sun is shining!

Anyhow m'dear, I reckon Toy boys could be more expensive than horses!

 

[proctor]

I'm sure the weather doesn't help, I hold my hands up, yes I'm a fair weather rider! I hate riding in the wet and cold. Last week when it was bright and sunny, I rode my boy everyday and loved it, but now it's gone back to wet, dank and depressing again, I didn't want to ride today.

ROLL ON SUMMER!!! Having said that, we'll be moaning about the flies and the fact that it's too hot and the fields are like concrete!!! xx

 

[ncarter]

I am sure it is the weather. I am also not riding anywhere near as much as I feel I should, and am pretty much using the weather as an excuse! Saying that, last week the ground was frozen again here, and we had a good 6 weeks over Nov / Dec where there was no chance of riding....so I am also using the excuse of 'bringing him back into work slowly!' lol.

As soon as there evenings start to get lighter I am sure it will change!!!

 

[Dawng]

Yeah I've joined the club too - snow then ice - haven't ridden in months and don't feel inclined to either - just wondering why I do it all - bought myself a trailer last year and haven't use it for the horse yet.

 

[aregona]

Wow and I thought it was just me! I'm ok with the daily riding but the thought of being off the yard is out.

I should of sjed Sunday but I really didn't want to go, then my lorry wouldn't start and I took it as is sign

I hope mine and everyone else's mojo returns soon

 

[jjbarney]

Speedbird - No, unfortunately not in Surrey. Based in Warwickshire, near Leamington Spa. Thank you all so much. I feel much better now that I know I'm not the only one.
Are you sure toy boys are expensive? I could deep litter him and feed him fish and chips

 

[MosMum]

This was a really strange topic for me, as my horse's name is Mojo...

 

[soulfull]

This was a really strange topic for me, as my horse's name is Mojo...

oh bless bet it is


as for losing your mojo we all do at some point in the year, sometimes more than one time. The weather really has given us a reason not to want to ride, or make it impossible some days.

Sometimes I have to talk myself into riding and I am usually glad I did. Although last night I got off and thought I didn't really enjoy that. Pony was good but didn't enjoy it either lol

Tonight we are doing DR (at home thankfully) but my heart isn't in it

I'm hoping next time it will be

 

[cobgirlie]

I'm with you on this too. Have ridden the boys at the weekend and have a lesson booked tomorrow for LC but other than that I just can't get excited about it. I'm sure once the nights are light and I can go hacking in the fields I'll be okay, I hate the indoor school and am so tired all the time I just want to go home after working all day.

 

[WelshMisfit]

Another one here who has lost her mojo. I was really glad to see the snow and ice cos it gave me the excuse I needed not to ride.
Not that I ever felt guilty enough to force myself to go, it was just easier than making excuses all the time to my friends. Now, I'm wondering the same thing. Will it ever come back?
My friends have given up asking me now, and I've missed out on so much these last few months. It's been so long since I rode, I don't even know where my tack is!
Don't think Magic cares mind. He's quite happy to be turned out every day and then tucked up nice and snug in his stable at night with a big, fat haynet, without having to do any work for it!
I'm hoping with longer evenings just around the corner, things will change and I'll find the enthusiasm to ride after work.
Like others have said, it's so tiring being in work all day in this weather. We go to work in the dark, and come home in the dark, muck out, feed, water, and then have to come home and sort family out. (Note, horses are done before family! )
Perhaps, I'll try and muster some enthusiasm for the weekend.

 

[scarymare]

Haven't ridden since 25th November and because of ice and frost no plans to either. I think its a bit like depression (so I'm told) the less you do, the less you want to do - vicious circle. Has caused huge weight gain too!

 

[MrsMozart]

Haven't ridden since the 31st July 2010.

Can't wait.

Been through just about every emotion possible in the last very nearly six months.

For those of you who's mojos have gone awol, just think how you would feel if you coudln't ride, as in not allowed to ride, think then of the summer days (for the sake of the argument, we'll make it fly free, ground just right, slight breeze)... if you feel the stirring of desire, think then of your then fat and unfit horse because you didn't ride when you could.

If that fills you with dread, get your butts out there and get on! If it doesn't bother you, sell up and get yourself along to the nearest Cougar Club

 

[ncarter]

Thanks for the inspiration Mrs Mozart

 

[KrujaaLass]

I'm the same. Been riding for over 50 years. Used to ride in rain snow and enjoyed it. Lately I'm hoping its rainng so I dont have to go. Also taken on a field and I have never seen so much mud. All I can do is to walk up the hill without getting out of breath. Taken to tacking up at gate because if I forget something its such a treck. at my age I always seem to forget something. So take all my stuff home now and its in the car. Hoping will feel better when weather brightens up.

 

[MrsMozart]

Thanks for the inspiration Mrs Mozart

You're welcome

 

[vanessa97]

I am the same and don't like to ride when it's too cold!
I had a long time without riding during the long winter. The longer I go without riding, the less I feel like it! , now its warmed up, I have started to get my enthusiasm back! Why not get yourself to your local tack shop and buy a new numnah or new jodhs? I am always more keen then - to ride to try out my new kit!

 

[Kallibear]

Yep, the less you ride the less you want to ride. I've had periods of 'riding depression' and wondered why I was bothering with the horses.

You need to get someone to ride with to motivate you to go out. I have a couple of friends I ride out with regularly and without them I'd never ride! I ride inbetween times by myself to keep the horse fit for riding out with friends.

And try and find something to aim for: a mini showjumping comp or Le Trec etc. Something you have to get your horse fit for.

Or maybe have a lesson. Explain to the instructor you're situtation and they will hopefully give you homework you can practise for the next week, which should be motivation.

 

[0ldmare]

Both my horses are retired and I really concluded I can't afford 3 - either in time or money - and so haven't ridden since Nov 09 That's after having had horses/ponies since I was a toddler and riding regularly all my life. To begin with I missed it like crazy

I was at my old hacking friends house at the weekend and she said somthing about how much she missed our hacks and I agreed. But then I thought, actually I don't really miss it at all now

I so hope that doesn't mean I will never ride again. I used to love it and can't understand why I never give it a thought now. I guess I would get my enthusiasm back if I ever got back in the saddle?

 

[SavingGrace]

No you are not alone I haven't had the weather as an excuse as we have an indoor... I am slowly but surely getting back on track now though All will be better when the light evenings are back and we can hack out more