Lost: one riding mojo

[squidsin]

I've just been feeling a bit 'meh' about it, as I am not allowed to school Roxy for a month due to her hock issues, and I don't feel comfortable hacking out solo, which means I need to cajole someone to ride with me, but also I am quite limited as to the times I can go, to fit round work and when the kids are in school/nursery. Also, I don't know if anyone else gets this, but I have so much to do with work/kids/house etc that I can't seem to relax riding, I actually feel guilty and like I should be working or cleaning or something! (To be fair - sometimes I actually SHOULD be working. ) I have every piece of riding kit known to man, including a sparkly new saddle and (second hand) horsebox, it's ridiculous that I am making excuses not to ride! But it's raining and I don't like being cold and ARGH!

 

[Trewsers]

Heheee. Worry not. I felt a bit like that when madam had her hock injections and I couldn't hack due to my confidence being low and not wanting to leave Chloe behind (its hard sometimes just keeping two). It will get easier when the good weather comes. I had a pants ride yesterday and am still cross with myself for letting her give me the run around!lol she knew I wasn't wearing a bp!!!!

 

[Kite_Rider]

I think we all lose our mojo from time to time, I never feel guilty about horse time though and I don't blame you in the least not wanting to ride in the cold and rain!
I know this will probably sound stupid but could you take Roxy out for an 'in hand' hack? That way you are able to go when it suits you, you can see how well behaved she is on her own and you will most likely end up jumping on after a while anyway when you see how good she is?

 

[joellie]

I get like that all the time, i think everybody does now and again, it's not easy juggling everything. I keep mine at home and I have no sandschool and my fields are to wet to ride in so all we can do at the moment is hack on our own. He has started to nap with me and even though I don't let him away with it , he still pushes me to the limit sometimes and to make matters worse I have a young girl who comes and rides him now and again for me and he tries it on at the start with her when leaving the yard and she gives him a tap with whip then he is as good as gold for her, very forward going, I do the same but I still have to push him on, I think I end up more exhausted than him after our hacks. She says he is taking the piss and i know this but I cant be any harder on him than I already am??? I'm sorry to have went on about my own problems, I got a bit carried away but what I meant to say is dont worry about it this time of the year is hard, once the lighter nights are here it will give you more time to fit your riding in

 

[squidsin]

I think we all lose our mojo from time to time, I never feel guilty about horse time though and I don't blame you in the least not wanting to ride in the cold and rain!
I know this will probably sound stupid but could you take Roxy out for an 'in hand' hack? That way you are able to go when it suits you, you can see how well behaved she is on her own and you will most likely end up jumping on after a while anyway when you see how good she is?

You know what, that's a great idea. My main worry about hacking alone is that we have to negotiate a really busy road. Roxy is solid in traffic apart from tractors with trailers, but my tension ratchets up all the same. I might just try walking her out round the block and see how we get on.

 

[juliecwuk]

I agree we above, I would say most people lose their Mojo now and then. I am sure when you are allowed in the school again then your mojo will come flooding back

 

[squidsin]

I get like that all the time, i think everybody does now and again, it's not easy juggling everything. I keep mine at home and I have no sandschool and my fields are to wet to ride in so all we can do at the moment is hack on our own. He has started to nap with me and even though I don't let him away with it , he still pushes me to the limit sometimes and to make matters worse I have a young girl who comes and rides him now and again for me and he tries it on at the start with her when leaving the yard and she gives him a tap with whip then he is as good as gold for her, very forward going, I do the same but I still have to push him on, I think I end up more exhausted than him after our hacks. She says he is taking the piss and i know this but I cant be any harder on him than I already am??? I'm sorry to have went on about my own problems, I got a bit carried away but what I meant to say is dont worry about it this time of the year is hard, once the lighter nights are here it will give you more time to fit your riding in

Feel free to vent! I LOVE hearing other people's problems, it makes me feel better about my own, selfishly! And of course I can give people the benefit of my wisdom.
Roxy is good with me, and doesn't nap. She did have a moment at some balloons on our last hack, but that didn't really bother me. But for some reason the idea of hacking out alone just scares me! I am going to try doing an inhand hack with her, maybe tomorrow then if my friend doesn't want to ride. Maybe once I've taken her out on my own a few times, I'll feel more relaxed about it.

 

[squidsin]

Heheee. Worry not. I felt a bit like that when madam had her hock injections and I couldn't hack due to my confidence being low and not wanting to leave Chloe behind (its hard sometimes just keeping two). It will get easier when the good weather comes. I had a pants ride yesterday and am still cross with myself for letting her give me the run around!lol she knew I wasn't wearing a bp!!!!

I wore just my air jacket without a BP first and felt really weird and out of sorts because I am so used to wearing a BP! After that hack, I resolved to just wear both, as Roxy definitely picked up on me feeling weird and played up a bit.

 

[Mary Poppins]

I understand how you feel about the guilt thing. My house always needs cleaning, the washing pile is always over flowing, our bed has mountains of clothes which are not put away and my job are crying out of me to do more hours. But, I say sod that and spend 2 hours a day (at least!) with Ben!

When I am not feeling confident I take Ben out for in-hand hacks. I really enjoy it. I felt silly at first and convinced that everyone was laughing at me, but no-one cares at all. As for getting cold and wet - I don't blame you for not wanting to ride. I feel so guilty if I don't ride though as I expect Ben to go and compete and do fun stuff at the weekends so he needs to keep his fitness up.

 

[joellie]

Thats good she doesn't nap, but If she is good leading out in hand then what kite rider suggested seems a really good idea.
P.S I also like hearing others problems so your not selfish at all

 

[Jessey]

We all loose mojo from time to time, I normally don't ride in January as that's my winter blues month but I did okay this year at keeping her ticking over, spurred on by who knows what. I am currently planning which days I ride based on the weather if I have to, I will ride in the rain, but its less enjoyable for everyone so I just avoid it
Its funny isn't it, if I am nervous for any reason I pick to ride on the roads as figure at least if anything happens there is more likely to be people around to help, where as here out in the forest you might be waiting a very long time for someone to come along.

 

[Tiny rider]

Yep I definitely feel like this a lot. I have to juggle kids, working at home, housework (wch never gets done) and mucking out. Once I've had a ride I have to gallop back to the house, catch up with emails, and work, tidy up etc, then the kids come home at 3.30 from school. I'm always feeling a bit guilty about something.

Tbh sometimes I dream about retirement, when I can stop bloody work, the kids can look after themselves and I can have a cuppa in a nice mug and not have to DO something for someone else...

Just a small knock (a VERY) small knock is enough to dent my riding mojo...

God, and of course I'm always coming down with some cold cos the kids school is riddled with bugs and germs, I need to do more exercise and stop eating kit-kats.

Sorry, that did turn into a rant. I am very lucky in lots and lots of ways really...

 

[Nina.]

I lose my mojo especially when its cold and rainy, I am definitely a fairweather rider....that's when I am riding regularly! Which is hardly ever.

I have no responsibilities to rush home for after riding but I still felt bad if I came home late on my riding weeknights, for some reason. It's kind of like we feel bad for enjoying ourselves...or trying to.

Not only that, I lose patience with my non horsey situation and lack of ability to do anything due to having a break from riding and finding that on my return I have a total lack of confidence, and lose patience at the fact that others seem to be able to organise their life and finances to have a horsey friend and it's still beyond me. I should really stop looking on horsemart as it just makes me more upset!

Don't despair... everyone has their moments. Some more frequent than others! We must learn that despite everything else going on, that horses are an enjoyment, and we shouldn't feel bad for spending time riding or doing horsey things.

 

[jodiana]

If I didn't spend 2hours a day (at least) doing horsey time Id not be able to cope with the every day stress of my life, my horses stable is cleaned everyday she is groomed everyday but yet my car is like a tack room & stinks of horses and sometimes I don't even have time to brush my own hair pmsl my husband sometimes moans at me I think, not sure I don't listen too busy planning my next day around housework, work school runs after school clubs cooking oh and don't forget riding the list goes on just don't feel guilty about me time everyone else has it

 

[jodiana]

]If I didn't spend 2hours a day (at least) doing horsey time Id not be able to cope with the every day stress of my life, my horses stable is cleaned everyday she is groomed everyday but yet my car is like a tack room & stinks of horses and sometimes I don't even have time to brush my own hair pmsl my husband sometimes moans at me I think, not sure I don't listen too busy planning my next day around housework, work school runs after school clubs cooking oh and don't forget riding the list goes on just don't feel guilty about me time everyone else has it

 

[sophie33]

I totally sympathise. Even though I only share Flicks I still find it very hard to fit her around work, and end up feeling guilty about work and not spending enough time on her. Then when I ride I waste time and energy being tense and scared! And the last month it has been a struggle. Work is busy, I've been ill and generally knackered, sometimes it seems like my little bit of relaxation (riding) is just one more stress. I have kept riding Flicks through January - as the lack of turnout at this time of year means she really needs the exercise - but (as I've posted elsewhere) it has been a struggle and I've really had to force myself. But this morning the sun was shining and it was light by 7.30. I had slept in so didn't have time to ride but gave Flicks a good run in the round pen. She was a good girl, and was clearly enjoying letting of some steam, and I suddenly felt better - Spring is coming, the endless darkness is coming to an end, and Flicks doesn't care if she gets a day off from riding!
Sorry I've gone a bit off topic - but I mainly want to say I know how you feel, but I think Spring will make it better!

 

[Cremola Foam]

As has been said before. We all loose our riding mojo from time to time. I think the important thing is not to put any pressure on yourself. We have our horses for enjoyment, and if for a while that means enjoying eie company while grooming/feeding for a while then there is nothing wrong with that. I know quite a few people who very very rarely ride there horses, but get a huge amount of pleasure from just looking after them.

I had a big confidence issue last year (I really need to stop talking about it! Lol!) and what really turned it round for me was just riding when I felt good about it and only going as far as I felt happy doing.

dont stress about it though, you deserve your pony time!

 

[Jayne]

I don't have small children (smallest is 24yrs ) and none at home, but work full time ,long hours. I'm just so bloody tired this time of year. Rushing around, going to work earlier so I can leave earlier to try get up to the yard while its still light. I make plans to ride,like today and it was spitting, I'm not bothered by drizzle, but then the heavens opened and hey presto no riding for me today. So I got my jobs done and went home, to spend some "quality time " with OH . Then sat all night thinking of what I could be doing at the yard. I've stopped beating myself up about not riding as much, my YO tells me " jayne she's nearly 17 she knows her job, if you don't ride for 3 days / weeks she's gonna be the same, she's always up for it. As long as she's got turnout, a leg stretch, and we do more groundwork this time of year. Oh Roll on spring. 

 

[Skib]

I wore just my air jacket without a BP first and felt really weird and out of sorts.

That is interesting. Discussion of how restricting bps are felt to be by some people, particularly those not used to riding them, sometimes leave out the amount of support they provide. I couldnt get on hacking in a very proper dressage saddle as I felt that was restricting me - Yet I think I read somewhere that a bp can hold one like a back support?

As for the mojo - I feel that hacking solo has to be taught and learned by both horse and rider. With me it happened by accident by being asked to ride first in many of my early escorted hacks - I gather that the BHS now recommend that the student follows the teacher. But not me!
However, I 'm "off" hacking too. The weather is horrid. Maisie has retired, Old Faithful had some off days tho he is back to normal, and I have got all nervous about a proposed Maisie "substitute". On paper she is ideal like my old share mare but am too tired to face her today and quaking at the prospect. Havent exactly lost my mojo but finding it hard to remember why riding out in the open spaces was my great joy and luxury in life.

 

[horseandgoatmom]

I am also a fairweather rider. I ride for enjoyment and getting me and my tack wet is not fun.
The weather we have been having here has zapped my MOJO big time. I have hardly anyplace I can go with all this snow.
In the last week I have gotten much more into just handwalking. With it being so cold there is hardly any prep -my feet don't freeze as much and its kind of HALTER AND GO.
When I do it I don;t look at the time til I am done and I find its longer than I would have thought
I am sure you will also get back into it!