Sometimes the last thing we want to do is to saddle up and go for a ride. Maybe you've had a bad experience the last time you rode or you just simply can't find the energy to get up go see your horse and ride.
Everyone goes through this from time to time!
You are so not alone. But what can you do to find your mojo again? Sometimes if you can just muster the energy to see your horse that can be enough to get you in the mood to ride, but sometimes it's not. During the pandemic it has definitely left many people feeling uninspired and unmotivated. Lets talk about some things you can do to find your spark again:
Change things up!
Sometimes if you continue to do the same thing over and over again it can lead to you feeling bored and uninspired. Why don't you change up your activities more often; for example if you are constantly doing work in the arena doing dressage why don't you go for a trail ride or add in some trot poles to change it up for you and your horse. If you don't have
the ability to ride somewhere different outside of the arena I know personally that sometimes after I've had a great flat work session with my horse I make sure I leave the ride feeling amazing by enjoying a cruisy canter lap around the arena and singing (outloud) to myself and my horse.
Some songs that come to mind are:
'I'm like a bird' - by Nelly Furtado, https://youtu.be/roPQ_M3yJTA
or 'I believe I can fly' - by R.Kelly
Now you might ask me why do I do this, well aside from making some of my neighbours have a chuckle, it makes me feel free and just remember why I ride in the first place. Sure
sometimes it makes me feel a bit silly but it also makes me happy. So I'd love for you to try and be your true self next time you ride and you might find it's enough to get you excited to ride again.
2. Practice some self care
Sometimes one of the biggest reasons we don't feel like riding can be because we have lost motivation in general, not just the motivation to ride. A great step in the right direction to help fix that can be to give yourself a bit of self-love. Some of the things that you can do to practice self care can be simple things like:
Live Healthy, eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and avoid drugs and alcohol. Manage stress and go for regular medical check-ups.
Practice good hygiene. Good hygiene is important for social, medical, and psychological reasons in that it not only reduces the risk of illness, but it also improves the way others view you and how you view yourself.
See friends to build your sense of belonging. Consider joining a support group to make new friends (even online hangouts if lockdown is affecting your ability to meet up in person).
Try to do something you enjoy every day. That might mean dancing, watching a favorite TV show, working in the garden, painting, reading or just simply spending time with your horse/s.
Find ways to relax, like meditation, yoga, getting a massage, taking a bath or walking in nature.
I know this might sound like it's a lot of effort but unfortunately sometimes you need to make a bit of effort to break the cycle of being in a rut.
3. Spend time just being with your horse.
Sitting in your horses paddock can be the most peaceful moment of your day, spending quality time just being with your horse can help you build your bond with your horse. Sometimes getting to know your horse can be a huge help to your confidence when it comes to riding also. If you get to know your horses personality and how it interacts with life in the paddock or with you can really help you come to know what you might be able to expect while riding. I know that spending quality time with my horses has helped me know if they are in a great mood of even if they are not quite themselves. Maybe this could help you too!
These are just some ways that might help you find some riding inspiration, we hope they
might help you in someway. However if you do decide to take some time off maybe consider sending your horse to a spelling property if it lives in a small yard so it can have a goo
d break too. Just remember that as long as your horse is well fed and looked after it is perfectly fine to have some time off if you need a break.
If you have any questions or even just want to chat feel free to reach out to us.
Talk soon,
Love the HARA girls
xxx
