Keep the habit

At this time of year it can be really easy to hibernate and not bother with the horse stuff until spring!

Of course you could totally do that if you were turning your horse away for winter, but most of us don’t do that as we don’t necessarily have the facilities or we still want to do some riding over winter as we are aiming for things to do early spring.

The hardest thing can be keeping to the habit when the weather is at it’s worst then finding you’ve lost the habit even when the weather isn’t so bad. Then you feel demotivated, demoralised like you’ve failed………that’s not how we want to go into next year!

The important part is maintaining the habit of doing something with your horse.

Be flexible with what those sessions might entail.

Got an indoor? Then no excuses!

Outdoor only?

How about short sessions with one clear focus such as Leg yield in walk, trot and canter or how many transitions within and up and down gaits can you do in 15 minutes?

No facilities? School whilst hacking-straight roads are great for Shoulder in practice.

I’ve taken up in hand classical dressage which you can do in smaller spaces, on most ground as so much can be done in walk and it has a huge impact on your horses self carriage and suppleness.

You could also ask your horses physio for some exercises that would benefit your horse, most of which can normally be done in the stable-remember those carrot stretches you promised you’d do every day………

Then you plan which days you will be working your horse and have Plan A which is your ideal such as proper schooling session, hack etc then have a Plan B if the weather isn’t inspiring you or you run out of time such as 10 mins in hand or stretches.

Don’t put pressure on yourself to have a full winter of perfect, long rides every single week as unless you’re fortunate enough to have access to great all weather facilities or don’t mind a serious soaking and gale force winds the it’s just not feasible.

The important thing is sticking to the habit of working your horse 3-4 times per week or whatever amount you decide.

Get creative!

What sort of things do you do with your horse when you’re dodging weather?

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