No motivation

[Shelby_crazy]

Hi everyone,
Sorry this is a long message but could you please read it and help me out.
I am still struggling with motivation with my horse. I have chronic fatuige and have had it for half a year now. Some days have more energy than others so on those days I go and brush him and sometimes go for a quick ride. After brushing or riding him I am EXHAUSTED and I just want to collapse. When I have energy I am so excited to ride him or brush him finally, but then Because I really have the time to do so. But then halfway throuh brushing or riding I start to lose energy and get tierd But I carry on. Then when im finally finished I go inside And lose all confidence in myself and feel like I shouldn't Have a horse anymore. I usually cry because I don't know what to do And feel guilty because i'm not doing anything with him. I get A nervous yuck feeling in my stomach when i think about riding. And I don't know Why. Does anyone get that? I just wish I had the energy To ride him And do everything that other people can Do with their horses. I thought it was normal to feel like this But I don't know if i'm Just tired or i'm sick of horses. But on the days where I have energy I start liking him again and want to go out and do more. I really want horses to be a big part of my when i'm a bit older.

Does anyone know if this is normal? Or does anyone know what I should do? I just wish I would love him like I did before. Somedays I do really like him when I have enough energy but on the days when I don't have energy I feel like I don't like him but but I think it's just Because i'm tired. Does anyone know some fun activities I can do With him So it both don't get bored.

Thank you To anyone who has read this whole Message. Sorry it was so long But I just have to get all my feelings out.
Thank you❤

 

[Skib]

After brushing or riding him I am EXHAUSTED and I just want to collapse.

I started riding as an older person, aged 61. I have never had enough energy to groom a horse before riding it. You need to pick out the feet but one can ride an ungroomed horse. Just remove any pieces of hay or straw.

Sometimes I would stay on at the yard to groom the horse in the afternoon after riding. I like to groom all the horses I ride - that has to do with compliance and the horse allowing me to touch and move every part of its body. When I helped on a yard, I was used for grooming. I enjoy it and horses have no objection to me.

I dont feel tired when I get back to the yard after riding. It could be that I teach the horses I ride to go forward without my having to exert too much energy. But my legs are always tired on the day after riding, whereas they are not tired after I have been walking. And I take care to have an easy day the day before I ride.

If you feel too tired to ride, you are right not to ride. If I feel too tired to manage the horse well, I cancel riding which is why I didnt ride last week. I also made sure that the horse did not depend on me for its exercise.

 

[Jessey]

Chronic fatigue sucks (I have fibromyalgia and fatigue is part of it), I have to budget my energy, I can’t do everything I used to do and I have to schedule downtime! And I know if I push myself beyond tired, it floors me for days.

Horses don’t care if they are groomed or ridden, I have 4, only 1 gets ridden. Ok so 2 are minis, but they could do more and do enjoy an occasional walk out, but they’re also very content to be pets! The 3rd is my mostly retired mare, again loves an occasional jaunt but is content to be a big pet too! So don’t feel guilty, I think that contributes to feeling crappy and sapping your motivation and doesn’t achieve much else!

You could do some enrichment with your lad, it doesn’t have to take much energy and you can both enjoy it. My guys love a small cardboard box stuffed with hay and carrot pieces, easy to construct and you just plop it down and sit back and enjoy watching him figuing out how to get in to the goodies. Mine also get to sniff some essential oils sometimes, or a bucket of fruit tea (red berries is their favourite), a smear of honey or marmite in a bucket is interesting too. A hand walk to nibble on wild plants can be great for both of you, you don’t have to hike miles, just be somewhere together. Don’t underestimate just sitting with your horse for giving you both satisfaction, to enjoy the moment.

Grooming is lovely, but only do the saddle area if you are riding as well. Save a full groom for another day, as an activity you do in itself.

 

[newforest]

Forget what other people are doing with their horses. It's about what you are doing with yours that matters.
I don't actually see what others are doing or not doing as I am focused on mine.

You can on days you ride just brush the essentials. You could also clip some of the winter coat off to make keeping them easier to manage for you.
Inhand walks are imo just as good as ridden. I don't own to just ride, I own because I love horses. Mine likes to go out, so as long as she's been out she's happy.
I do a groom session in with her physio.