Working parents, when do you ride?

[scewal]

Just a moan really, all i seem to have time to do is poo pick and not ride. Making me quite depressed .
How / when do you get to ride?

 

[eriskaydales]

Thats exactly what i have done all winter, poo picked, and I'm not winning either as the fields have been too wet. Am probably going to spend easter monday getting two of the fields up to stratch if it stays dry. Mine all live out so not been great winter weather to try and ride. I'm not aiming to get to hoys just compete locally and a few affilliated showing classes, so really not an issue with me. They are at an age and schooled wherei can pick them up pretty quickly and will need to get them fitter. I usually have nov dec jan and feb off just riding if we get a good day over the weekend. Shortened daylight hours determine this. I used to beat my self up at the fact that through the winter i found it difficult to ride but they live out, use their excess energy to keep warm and will have their own moment of silliness round the field, which probably gives them more exercise than i could give them on muddy tracks. When i was a child unless you were seriously into competing everyone kept their horses at grass and being at school only rode weekends in the winter if weather let us. And most yards didn't have a school. Showing my age here. I think that because most horses are more stabled bound than the need to exercise is huge. Thankfully i don't have that problem and even with this horrible winter would rather have them out than stuck in the stable.

 

[glamourpuss]

I ride in the morning. I'm up at between 5.15 - 5.30 & sneak out while everyone is still asleep.
I'm on my horse by 6.00 am back home for breakfast, school run & work at 7.30. Mind you I don't poo pick, they are on a specific winter paddock which will be harrowed & rested for a minimum of 6 months (well that's if they ever get off it onto their spring field)

 

[scewal]

My two live out 24/7. I'm on my own and my son is 5, so weekends are ruled out too. Just finding it quite a struggle doing all the hard work but not being able to reep the benefits and ride frequently.

 

[quirky]

I ride when husband is home from work to look after the children. I wouldn't be able to do it without his help and without a floodlit school.

 

[Tobiano]

Weekends and holidays. Luckily my daughter rides too so I can 'parent' at the same time (and she is now 17!). I pay other people to poo pick and ride during the week: its worth it to me though recognise its not for everyone.