What to do if you can’t ride in winter

Some very lucky riders can ride all year round. Many of us have to take a break from horse riding in the winter. You probably don’t have a proper indoor yard or outdoor floor at all. Your arthritis may have become so severe that driving in the winter is very painful. Lack of daylight or poor driving conditions may prevent you from coming to the stable regularly. Whatever the reason, you find that it won’t return to a fixed time in the saddle until spring.

It’s a frustrating and disappointing reality for those of us who love to drive. I also feel sad about lost driving time every winter. Although nothing can replace time spent on horseback, this does not mean that you cannot enjoy a productive winter. Here’s what you can do during off season to prepare for showjumping:

1. Read, read, read

Do you know all the horse books and magazines that your trainer or best friend recommends you review? Now is the time! I am always watching how I can apply the information in the book to the life of my horse. I’m taking notes on specific philosophies and exercises I might want to try with my horse in the spring. If you don’t have a wish list of books in mind, head over to www.horseandriderbooks.com for ideas.

2. Look, look, look

Plenty of training and riding videos are available online. Watching videos can be a great alternative or addition to reading books depending on your learning preference. There are many free clips online, but you can also purchase access to large collections of videos. For example, Horse and Rider and Dressage Today both have video-on-demand sections on their websites that you have to pay for.

3. Keep fit

It’s hard enough to start riding again in the spring after spending all of the winter on the ground. You’ll make it more difficult if you’ve been consistent most of the winter. Move instead! You are especially welcome to explore fitness programs designed specifically for equestrianism. The FEI is a great resource for at-home equestrian training ideas.

Fourth, discover the joy of spending time on the ground with your horse.

When we focus all our attention on riding, we can forget the joys of spending time with our horses in other ways. Hear them nibbling on straws, watch them play with their friends in the pastures, take them for a walk through freshly fallen snow, get ready, try tricks, games and other types of basic chores. Spending time with our horses can enrich your life and ours. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, check out the nifty and extremely free activity builder from Good Horse.

5. Clean barn/tractor/cabinet/horse trailer

I don’t want to spend the spring cleaning and sorting. I better drive! So whenever I can, I try to do my best to organize myself in the winter. When I clean and tidy, I go through all my things. I donate items I no longer use to a local horse rescue service. I’m making a list of items I think I might need this spring and thinking about how to get them. So I’m ready to go when the weather is nice.

Sixth Make plans for spring riding

The arrival of the coronavirus in 2020 turned a lot of our horse plans upside down. Classes, clinics, shows, and even rides have been canceled or changed significantly. As we continue to grapple with the virus and its effects, the outlook for the equine world in 2021 remains uncertain. I know it can be hard to make plans for the future in this environment, but some of us still want something to work towards.

Lateral thinking. If you’re not sure if you can attend an event, could you try attending an online horse show instead? What if you can’t even do a great ride? Are there driving skills you can work on at home in 2021 that will qualify you for a group ride in 2022? The right mix of creative planning and flexibility can help you have a bright future even in turbulent times.