Winter motivation needed

J_sarahd

J_sarahd

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I just need that kick up the backside and a sprinkle of motivation to get through the next 6 weeks before Nova has a 6 week holiday. But I’m really struggling. I’m fortunate that I can ride in daylight 4 times a week but she’s become quite nappy recently that I’m putting off riding.

I have a few goals for the rest of the year but 1. I’m nervous to even attempt them and 2. I worry that I’m going too fast with her.

Any tips/advice on how to get back the motivation?
 
Work backwards so you've got your goals. Now, break those down into the steps to get there; that usually brings me scarily close to the present, which means I have to crack on and complete the steps.
Also, book the outings/lessons/clinics or at least one of them, that will give you the above :)
 
Can you book lessons at home to help with the napping? Then book the outings and clinics to motivate you.

Winter will fly by before you know it!
 
I mean this kindly, but I feel like you've been having these issues on and off for awhile. Do you have good consistent instruction where you are? It might not be that you're going too fast, it could be that you're going to slow in that things aren't consistent, solidified, and borderline challenging. Some horses thrive on those things, especially TB types, IME. It doesn't mean that the work is grueling or overwhelming. It means that it's work. It's not always going to be "pretty" but you've got to push through.

Some really do better just cracking on with things consistently. She might just need confidence through consistency and training. A lot of that confidence will have to come from you, her rider.

There's your kick ;)
 
CanteringCarrot said:
I mean this kindly, but I feel like you've been having these issues on and off for awhile. Do you have good consistent instruction where you are? It might not be that you're going too fast, it could be that you're going to slow in that things aren't consistent, solidified, and borderline challenging. Some horses thrive on those things, especially TB types, IME. It doesn't mean that the work is grueling or overwhelming. It means that it's work. It's not always going to be "pretty" but you've got to push through.

Some really do better just cracking on with things consistently. She might just need confidence through consistency and training. A lot of that confidence will have to come from you, her rider.

There's your kick ;)
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I do have a good instructor but I stopped for a long time due to the physical issues I was having with her. So from July to October she wasn’t going out/doing much apart from a lot of hacking and schooling at home. I massively agree that she gets confidence from me and is smart enough to feel more confident in herself through consistency.

I’ve semi-booked us onto a clinic on 6th December. I’ve blocked it out in my diary but not actually booked it yet! Might take her to a low key arena hire beforehand.
 
J_sarahd said:
I do have a good instructor but I stopped for a long time due to the physical issues I was having with her. So from July to October she wasn’t going out/doing much apart from a lot of hacking and schooling at home. I massively agree that she gets confidence from me and is smart enough to feel more confident in herself through consistency.

I’ve semi-booked us onto a clinic on 6th December. I’ve blocked it out in my diary but not actually booked it yet! Might take her to a low key arena hire beforehand.
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A horse can learn tons with schooling at home and hacking. Sure, getting out and about is great too, but it's also fine to work at home and really solidify things. So I agree with getting out, especially for good instruction, but also don't pressure yourself too much if there's still lots to be done at home and you have a suitable instructor there. Just my opinion.

I might do without the 6 week break too, unless it's for personal reasons. I know many are a fan of turning away, and I really hate winter myself, but if a horse is doing well in a program, I'll crack on vs stop and start again. I know that's a personal choice though and might play into motivation as well.

It can be frustrating when physical issues crop up too, but sometimes solving those helps with the training, so they go hand in hand.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do! I do like following others journeys, especially with youngsters.
 
I pushed myself to school yesterday despite just wanting to either do groundwork or pop her on the lunge. It was our first time under the lights this year and I was quite worried to be honest as the last time we rode under the lights, she decked me. Granted, that was before the ulcer diagnosis, the regumate, the new bit/bridle, the general MOT. I was worried about her being a bit nappy, especially as all the horses around the school were being brought in. But she wasn’t - a bit more “looky” than usual, but we still had a lovely trot and a fab canter by the end. To be honest, my main objective was just to stay on and she made that extremely achievable.

It’s given me a slight bit of motivation back so I’m off to book something low key while I’m riding this high.
 
What about making one session a week in hand? Working over plea backing up doing some lateral stuff? All good for their core and no need to get the tack wet?
 
pistolpete said:
What about making one session a week in hand? Working over plea backing up doing some lateral stuff? All good for their core and no need to get the tack wet?
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Yeah I’m trying to incorporate groundwork/in-hand work as we both get so bored schooling 2-3x a week. I just run out of ideas a bit
 
I bought a 6 year old who is so green he behaves like a 4 year old. Had him 3 months and don’t have an arena so now the weathers turned I can’t ride in the field. He’s never really hacked before so even hacking out with someone else is NOT relaxing and husband not keen to hack regularly with me at just walk and trot. Like you , I’m very demotivated. I could turn him away for winter but he’s already very backward for his age. Hope you get your mojo back
 
I like to find a dressage test to practice once every few weeks.
It puts together shapes and sequences you might not do alone and also reminds you how many transitions you should be doing in a session!
My horse much prefers it too, compared to just bumbling around and trying to get 'better.'

You could maybe look at doing some online dressage to have something to aim for and give you focus for the next few weeks?
 
I have no arena - winter is hard but tbh I try to get to 21st Dec without beating myself up too much about it all. I usually manage to ride 3x a week and 1x lunge/lunge Polework and they do very well on that regime. And I don’t sweat that I am not riding every day or 6 days a week.
 
I haven't got an arena or any useful lighting so I just fit in what I can when I can.

I've signed up to some online dressage. Just intro and I can do them in the field if the weather is good enough to record or park it until the following month if it isn't. I find just aiming for something basic light that gives me a kick up the backside.
 
LEC said:
I have no arena - winter is hard but tbh I try to get to 21st Dec without beating myself up too much about it all. I usually manage to ride 3x a week and 1x lunge/lunge Polework and they do very well on that regime. And I don’t sweat that I am not riding every day or 6 days a week.
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|Do you manage to lunge in field in winter?
 
Apparently I'm a bit annoying as I'm a really motivated person lol and people think I'm a bit bonkers. If I'm honest some of it is the fact my horse has got the potential to 'break down' again so I kind of look at it as I have to make the most of it whilst we're up and running. I really enjoy the continual improvement.

I always make sure I have a lesson when I can, then I have to ride. I also try and keep up with a competition outing at least once a month. And in between I've now become slightly obsessed with online dressage which really is a great way to make you ride and provides invaluable feedback I'm finding.

Is there someone who can help you? I've a great friend and between us we really encourage each other to ride etc and for me as it's all done in the dark after work during the week so the company is always nice to have.
 
If I had an arena Id have so much enthusiasm. I dont and my field is waterlogged. Im sitting here looking out the window and its lashing it down with rain yet again. Literally cant sit on my mare at all at the moment :( I really envy those who have an arena, Ive never had one. OP, do you compete? Personally I always need competitions to aim towards which keeps me enthusiastic.
 
MagicMelon said:
If I had an arena Id have so much enthusiasm. I dont and my field is waterlogged. Im sitting here looking out the window and its lashing it down with rain yet again. Literally cant sit on my mare at all at the moment :( I really envy those who have an arena, Ive never had one. OP, do you compete? Personally I always need competitions to aim towards which keeps me enthusiastic.
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I know, feeling bad that we have an arena and I’m still struggling with motivation.

I’d love to and competing is the aim eventually but she’s 4 and we went to a “low key” competition earlier this year and it blew her brains. So we started building that up with frequent arena hires but we had to have a break for a couple of months due to a few physical issues. Everything is fine now though. We’ve started building back up - we went to a pole clinic in October and I have a little clinic booked in December and the ultimate aim for this year is a clear round, but she just gets quite overwhelmed in new places and it causes her to become extremely sharp.
 
J_sarahd said:
I know, feeling bad that we have an arena and I’m still struggling with motivation.

I’d love to and competing is the aim eventually but she’s 4 and we went to a “low key” competition earlier this year and it blew her brains. So we started building that up with frequent arena hires but we had to have a break for a couple of months due to a few physical issues. Everything is fine now though. We’ve started building back up - we went to a pole clinic in October and I have a little clinic booked in December and the ultimate aim for this year is a clear round, but she just gets quite overwhelmed in new places and it causes her to become extremely sharp.
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Sorry if you've already said but have you tried any of the online dressage? I was impressed by the quality of the judging sheets back from e-riders this month and it gives me something to aim at


Oops - just saw this. Definitely try e-riders

"I’m going to look at doing some online dressage as I know there are some RoR leagues, which would be fun, and it gives us things to work on/improve."
 
Lots of good online dressage companies out there.
I do mine with Dressage Online, real variety of classes, either BD tests or their own. They also have a long reining/lunging class so can mix it up a bit if needs be.
 
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