Winter can be a challenging time for equestrians! Between cold weather, shorter days, and unpredictable conditions, it’s easy to feel discouraged or tempted to take a break from riding. However, with a little creativity and flexibility, you can make the most of the season while maintaining your connection with your horse. Here are my top winter riding tips to help you stay motivated and keep progressing, even when riding isn’t always an option.
1. Stay Consistent—Even Off the Saddle
While riding every day might not be possible, you can still work with your horse in other ways. On rainy or icy days, try:
- Grooming and Bonding: Spend time grooming your horse, paying attention to their muscles and finding areas they enjoy being touched.
- In-Hand Work: Use a covered area to practice leg-lifting exercises or basic bending work with a rope halter.
- Hand Walks or Tack Walks: Take your horse for a hand walk or a slow tack walk around the property to keep them engaged and moving.
These activities strengthen your bond and keep your horse mentally stimulated.
2. Reflect and Review
Winter downtime is perfect for reflecting on your progress.
- Watch old videos of your rides to analyze areas of improvement.
- Revisit lesson recordings to identify recurring challenges and visualize solutions.
- Use visualization to mentally practice movements, which can be surprisingly effective in reinforcing skills.
3. Set Goals for the Year Ahead
Use quiet winter days to outline your goals for the upcoming year.
- Identify what you want to achieve with your horse, whether it’s mastering a specific movement or simply building confidence in the saddle.
- Break down your goals into actionable steps and prioritize areas for improvement.
Having a plan keeps you focused and motivated as you look ahead to warmer months.
4. Prioritize Safety
Some days, it’s simply not safe to ride. High winds, icy footing, or heavy rain can make conditions dangerous for you and your horse. On these days:
- Accept that it’s okay to skip riding.
- Use the time to check on your horse’s health and well-being or bond with them in other ways.
- Remember that extra rest days can benefit your horse by giving their muscles and tendons time to recover.
5. Keep Perspective
Winter may feel endless, but spring is just around the corner. Use this season to recharge, reflect, and prepare for the goals you’ll tackle when the days are longer and the weather is kinder.
Remember, every effort you make to stay connected with your horse, even during the toughest days, contributes to your progress. Enjoy the season, stay safe, and cherish the little moments with your horse. Spring will be here before you know it!
Happy Riding!
Amelia
