Winter routine when can't hack during the week?

I don’t see my horses in daylight mon-Friday in winter. I hack in the dark on Monday morning, (all off road), hack either Tuesday/Wednesday evening in dark depending on weather. Friday lesson in a beautiful indoor, which in winter feels like respite care ? and hack sat and sun. Occasionally have a comp one day of the weekend.
They have a min of two days off sometimes three if the weather is bad. They get good amount of turnout though so I try not to worry too much. Sometimes I wish i had better facilities but in summer this hacking is blissful.
 
I used to panic when the PSSM mare was in work if I couldn't ride but now she's retired it's a lot less stressful. The two cobs are going into winter a bit fatter and less fit than ideal (concrete ground over summer and caught out a bit by grass coming through). They're out 24:7 so will be either hacked or schooled in the field 3ish times a week dependent on weather. Hacking might just be a road loop if bridlepaths get too boggy.

I just accept now that I can only do my best otherwise it all gets too stressful
 
I have to time my winter hacking around the local shoots. They don't put lookouts on the bridleways, so you can get into a situation where you have 20 guns going off near you. Thankfully, Sundays are days when we are safe to go out as no pheasant shooting on that day.
 
I've booked Wednesday afternoons off until Xmas. Annoyingly I've only managed to hack twice in the afternoon. Weather and a docs appointment have been in the way. Like today, I'm just going to stables to ride as this afternoon is forecast 40mph winds and rain. We can deal with one or the other but not both!! Luckily I'm getting out on a Sunday so feel OK about it all!
 
I find it difficult riding in the week due to being busy and it getting very dark but mine all live out 24/7 with a field shelter so they have plenty turnout but I usally do mostly hacking twice a week and a schooling session or all hacking it varys on how bad the weather is and I try and get them out inbetween One of them doesnt like polework or jumping so hes very happy out or being schooled or hacked
 
Top