Are you having a hard time motivating yourself to get back into the saddle? It’s easy to push riding time aside when you’re tired, busy, or just having a lazy day. If you want to get yourself riding again, though, check out these five ways you can motivate yourself to go ride.
Call Up a Friend
Image source: Katherine Mustafa Photography via Flickr.com
Call up one of your horse friends and ask them to meet you at the barn to go for a ride. When you know that another person is waiting for you, you’ll be far less likely to back out at the last minute. Make a plan to do something fun, like go for a trail ride or ride together with a bunch of friends.
Give Yourself Something to Work Towards
Image source: Katherine Mustafa Photography via Flickr.com
If you seriously need some self-motivation, then give yourself something to work towards. Schedule a lesson with your trainer in a week or so, or sign up for a show that’s in a month. Knowing that you have to prepare both yourself and your horse should help you crack down and start riding again in order to prepare for these events.
Try Something Different
Image source: reindi via Flickr.com
Sometimes we just burn out on riding. If you’re dreading schooling the same movements again and again, then change things up a little. Try out a different discipline, or give yourself and your horse a break and do something fun, like go galloping in a field or head out on a trail ride.
Head to YouTube
Image source: Claudio Gennari via Flickr.com
Yes, that’s right – head to YouTube and watch some of those motivational, inspirational horse videos that riders have created. There’s nothing like some great music and stirring videography to get you pumped up to get back in the saddle.
Tell Someone
Image source: rayand via Flickr.com
Tell someone close to you that you’re going to go riding on certain days, and ask them to follow up with you afterward to see if you actually went riding. Knowing that someone will hold you accountable can help to motivate you to follow through on your word.
While it can be hard to get motivated to go riding, generally these spells pass. Get yourself into the saddle a few times and you will probably start looking forward to your rides again without needing any extra motivation.
