Winter Blues

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PaddyPower

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Hello - first time poster here! I love reading the forums and thought I should get involved :)

I'm based in West Sussex, have a 16.2hh bright orange ISH who's 10 years old and we do a bit of all the normal stuff - SJ, XC, hunting, hunter trials, stressage, hacking and lots of poo picking and mucking out.

I know we're almost half way through the winter (whoohoo!) - but is anyone else really struggling to get motivated this year??! Since the mornings got really dark I'm lacking SO much motivation to ride - I work full time so have to ride either before or after work (fortunately we have a flood lit school). I have no problem getting to the yard to muck out but the thought of getting there for 5am to ride as well before work is not fun - and then by the end of the work day I'm too tired.

I'm on a very small yard and there are three other horses off work at the moment due to various ailments which really hasn't helped me - I have no trouble at all schooling in the summer when it's light in the morning but I feel like I'm really failing this winter!

Is anyone else in the same boat? I will be riding tomorrow as I have four days off work in an attempt to kick my b*tt back into some sort of routine!
 
Hi PP I’ve definitely been unmotivated in the last couple of weeks with all the rain we’ve had and days getting shorter. I’ve gained a second horse and a new dog in the last 3 months so it’s been hard juggling all their needs plus work.

New horse (also a ginger) needs more attention but I’m struggling a bit to motivate myself to school. I’m also on a smallish yard and hacking isn’t an issue but not many school and I could do with a buddy to school with.

Im also in West Sussex (bythesea) :)
 
5am?! Oo no, just no! My alarm goes off at 6 and I feel very sorry for myself. Unfortunately we don't have a school so I've resigned myself to weekend riding but that suits my mare as we're taking baby steps as she's a baby. Already looking forward to spring though and getting cracking.
I do find winter hard, I hate the mud, the wet and the dark. At least are horses get us out of the house though :)
 
SussexbytheChristmastreewithbells said:
Hi PP I’ve definitely been unmotivated in the last couple of weeks with all the rain we’ve had and days getting shorter. I’ve gained a second horse and a new dog in the last 3 months so it’s been hard juggling all their needs plus work.

New horse (also a ginger) needs more attention but I’m struggling a bit to motivate myself to school. I’m also on a smallish yard and hacking isn’t an issue but not many school and I could do with a buddy to school with.

Im also in West Sussex (bythesea) :)
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Oh crikey - you do have your hands full!!! We have three dogs and I bring them with me to the yard in the morning to combine mucking out with dog walking - they're all geriatric, so don't require toooooo much running around, but it's still effort!

I've ridden a grand total of about 4 times in the past 4 weeks...he really needs riding six days a week to keep him going so I know I have to get back into it, I just can't face it! I'm fully prepared that he's going to be like a wild mustang when I do get back on properly...o_O But then I love riding and LOVE the feeling of accomplishment when I have managed to school before work. Weird!

Where abouts in Sussex are you?
 
Bellaboo18 said:
5am?! Oo no, just no! My alarm goes off at 6 and I feel very sorry for myself. Unfortunately we don't have a school so I've resigned myself to weekend riding but that suits my mare as we're taking baby steps as she's a baby. Already looking forward to spring though and getting cracking.
I do find winter hard, I hate the mud, the wet and the dark. At least are horses get us out of the house though :)
Click to expand...


5 am is not my friend, I can assure you...especially when it's so miserable outside, hence why I snooze for a bit...and a bit longer...and then leave enough time to muck out and turn out and get to work. Horse isn't complaining and I think he quite enjoys being a pet pony but...I need some motivation to get back into it!

You're right...it does get us out...and it really isn't ages until the mornings start getting lighter (yes I can't wait for the shortest day as I knoe there is then light at the end of the tunnel!)
 
SussexbytheChristmastreewithbells said:
Hi PP I’ve definitely been unmotivated in the last couple of weeks with all the rain we’ve had and days getting shorter. I’ve gained a second horse and a new dog in the last 3 months so it’s been hard juggling all their needs plus work.

New horse (also a ginger) needs more attention but I’m struggling a bit to motivate myself to school. I’m also on a smallish yard and hacking isn’t an issue but not many school and I could do with a buddy to school with.

Im also in West Sussex (bythesea) :)
Click to expand...

Separate question - how do you change your profile pic on here? I can't figure it out...I don't look like a giant pink P in real life!
 
PaddyPower said:
Separate question - how do you change your profile pic on here? I can't figure it out...I don't look like a giant pink P in real life!
Click to expand...

Click on the P which highlights your info then click on the picture again and it says “edit avatar” then click on that and insert a pic from your files.
 
I am also really struggling with riding PP; I've recently bought my own land (yay!) and moved my 2 horses onto it, it's lovely but they both get a little stressed when separated and it's so dark in the mornings, I've pretty much given up for the moment. My ridden horse has now been out of work for almost 2 months so I'm going to have to start with 2 weeks of walk work, and MUST get myself going over Christmas. I'm just outside Ashington.
 
Just over a week till the shortest day!!! I love living where I live because it's only really really dark for about 3 months of the year, and it's nearly light 24/7 for 3 months in the summer. I don't like the dark. I used to start at 4am in the winter - nowadays I'm asleep at that time, and very glad to be too.
 
Ooh I'll join the West Sussex crew! I'm 20 mins from Brighton. Off to go and view a new yard today, right on the Downs, which I'm hoping will make winter easier for my two retired ponies. In theory it's a better set up, with a shelter and well draining field - I can't bear seeing my two squelching about! The lady also has a warmblood that needs exercising, which might give me the kick up the bum that I need to get back in the saddle. It's just so wet, I can't stand it!!
 
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