As I sit and write this there are stunning blue skies outside – like really beautiful, the spring flowers are out, the birds are tweeting and I’m not going to lie – it feels really good!
The 2022/23 winter has not been a bad one – far from it – but for anyone who is trying to ride at home – in a field, it has been incredibly frustrating. The ground has either resembled a paddy field, an ice rink, or somewhere in between – which is not ideal. When I say it’s been months that it hasn’t been rideable here – I mean months.
I think it feels longer because the winter before we were so lucky with the weather. This probably gave me a false reality of having horses at home with no ridden facilities, so much so that recently I had a memory pop up of us jumping in our grass paddock this time last year – now I’m celebrating just being able to trot yesterday for the first time in months!
Frustrating times
First world problems I know… I really do know, but never have I ever felt this frustrated with owning a horse.
I feel a pang of guilt for even writing that last statement as I know how lucky and privileged I am to have a horse and this mini issue is by far not the most important things going on in my crazy life at the moment. But, in balance, my riding gives me the freedom and head space to deal with the unexpected things that life throws at you.
When it comes to my own riding, I am also someone who is motivated by progress and goals, so to know that we have gone so far backwards in our schooling, and not be able to set any real inspiring goals has just added to the longevity of winter!
I hadn’t realised just quite how frustrated I’d become until last week and the blooming of the snowdrops offered a welcome promise of warmer weather and a hint of being able to school, jump and ride ‘properly’ again.
I’d been looking at some competitions and thinking about some school hires… And then, I saw the weather forecast… the snow is coming…!
Aaarrgh!
Fool's Spring
Fool’s Spring is actually a thing and Google kindly summarises it for us, “Fool’s Spring is characterised by the feelings we associate with spring; warm, wet days; bird’s singing; and an uptick in people’s moods. But underneath is a current of uncertainty. We must not be fooled, winter is still here and when we get complacent is when mother nature decides to drop unexpected weather on us.”
This is me! I’m pining so much for spring that I am refusing to consider that we might not be there yet!
People have been talking about the snow for a while now – but I haven’t really been listening because it is something I don’t want to hear!
Don’t get me wrong – I love snow – when I can play in it… but not when it means another month of not being able to ride properly!
I think back to the podcast that we did with our lovely EquiTeam member Caeleigh who travels miles just to be able to use a school… and here is me moaning about not being able to ride in the field outside my house… and the guilt creeps in again.
But I do know that I am not alone. So the real question is: How do we stay motivated?
1.
I’ve recently discovered a really useful tactic and that is to regularly reassess your goals to make them more achievable. I’ve always been ambitious in my expectations and whilst this is good in certain circumstances – it’s not always constructive.
An example of this being – I would love to get 70% at elementary. This, currently, is never going to happen with the lack of schooling, fitness preparation etc, and puts an unfair expectation on my horse – which I am not going to do.
Saying never in this current context isn’t negative – it’s reality and it doesn’t mean that it won’t ever happen – but it would be much better moved to a longer term goal and change my shorter term goal to simply being able to ride three times a week.
I’ll reassess this goal when I am not being a fool and Spring has truly sprung!
Is it worth reassessing (or setting) your own goals?
2.
Thinking about what I need to do to make things happen. I am very time poor but know that I am most productive in a morning. The lighter mornings mean that I can now ride in a morning and bot does it feel good to get up, ride and know that you have done that for the day. It almost sets you up for having a better day!
Have a think about your day the night before. What are your priorities and when can you fit things in that are important to you?
3.
Making plans with friends has always motivated me and this is something you can do with your horse. Whether it is an arena hire, a competition, a hack – go for it and make a plan. It’s always better with friends.
Pick up that phone and get making those plans.
4.
Understand how you are feeling. A lot of what I am feeling is actually nothing to do with winter and is a small part of a much bigger picture. I put so much energy into coaching and that sometimes I forget to pause and think about what small things I might need, which does not come naturally to me. This is usually sleep and a quick horse ride related!
It has taken me a long time to realise this isn’t selfish, that it’s self care and that there is a big difference.
So… bring on the snow, no doubt there will be a snow ball fight and some sledging so that we can make the most of it whilst we patiently wait for ‘proper’ Spring!
Liz x
