This is the first year I won’t have access to an indoor arena and I’m dreading it. Usually I move him to a barn an hour away for the winter but with just going through ulcer treatment I figured it wouldn’t be a great idea to add the stress of moving. I’m hoping to at least be able to ride him a bit. I’m also planning on taking lessons at another place so I can get some riding in.
4 Likes
Find a new barn, preferably one with a covered arena and good footing.
3 Likes
I gave up making plans 
… usually they all fall through. So I decided to simply enjoy my young horses and my older horse and to give up goals
14 Likes
Well, my strengthening plan seems to be working. He now wants to pick up the right lead aaaall the time. Including on a circle to the left. 
It’s progress, though!
6 Likes
I am currently horseless and looking so I joined a crossfit gym. I’m absolutely terrible at it but I figure I might as well try to get in better shape before I find my next dance partner…
11 Likes
Really great idea.
1 Like
I love this idea!
I have a still pretty new to me mare. We had a great first summer together and got out to a couple of shows. Over the past 6-8 months the wheels fell off a bit and she was diagnosed with low vitamin E a few weeks ago now. She’s been on high dose vitamin E and is starting to return to normal so my plan is to continue that and do some rehab and strengthen so that hopefully we can hit the ground running in the summer.
We’ve had trouble building fitness in the past and now I’m pretty sure it’s been low vitamin e for awhile so I’m hoping that once we get back on track we’ll start to make more progress and potentially even be able to show 1st level later this next year if all the stars align.
4 Likes
Amen.
Winter is my “real” show season (the ridden stuff in the summer is just for funsies) and this winter is the big one, with rolling out the 3* CDE dressage test…
gulp
I rode it in my ridden dressage lesson last week and called out the movements as I was doing them so my instructor could keep up lol. Her comment was “well that’s not very nice of the FEI” as I was making a transition every 15m or so that the test calls for. Can confirm. 
8 Likes
Besides my wimpy wish to finally canter on my pony, I’ll be retired in January and want to spend more time at the barn. Usually it’s just a quick groom, ride, cool off, fuss a bit, turn him back out and come home. I want to do some bodywork on him, longer warm ups (especially in the cold), clean my tack more often, hand graze him if there’s anything to nibble on, just be a “horsie” person" and enjoy my barn time. The best part is that I can do this during daylight hours.
13 Likes
I’m boarding my horse at a great spot with trainer, jump clinics, and an amazing indoor.
My goals are to take as many lessons as I can, trainer take horse to show in Dec, at least one jump clinic for me, and ride a half way decent first level test at a schooling show.
I struggle in the winter with a touch of seasonal depression, so hoping pre-scheduling lessons/rides helps keep me as motivated.
7 Likes
My goal is just to ride more than I have been. My job changed in the spring and my riding time has really suffered. With two horses, each has only been getting two rides a week. I want to at least get them back up to three rides each per week. The weather doesn’t help as I only have an outdoor, but that’s my goal anyway.
4 Likes
I swear by doing Pilates daily (or thereabouts). Makes such a difference. I also walk on my treadmill.
7 Likes
That’s actually a goal of mine this winter. 
I just signed up for the Rider Pilates Courses again to get me through winter after seeing your comment.
I enjoyed the courses last time.
4 Likes
I’m going to sign up again, too! Just finishing up my third course now.
1 Like
Sent my young horse to the trainer earlier in November and will be doing the same in the gym! Going to add some yoga and up my cardio too.
3 Likes
I sent my two young horses to a wonderful trainer last month. Both of them need more exposure, more consistent work (I do not have an indoor arena and there are several months that I can’t ride), and a bit of a separation (they are at either end of the barn, but nearby in turnout). My goal was to get them more solid training and possibly continue on and hopefully get them show exposure at some point (not on any particular schedule). I do ride on the weekends, but during the week, I make it a point to continue with farm work (cleanup of pine needles, etc. that I have not been able to get to), walk daily, and clean out all of my storage areas that I haven’t had time to do since I moved in 6 years ago!
4 Likes
My goal is to get my pony fitter now that her breathing issues seem to be a lot better. And to figure out the right pirouette ( always been my difficult side), have as much fun as possible while indoors, and improve my hands (another of my life-ling difficulties), and basically just make it through another winter coming out the other side a bit better.
No, you’re not. You’re rightfully cautious. Put a fail-proof verbal whoa on your pony on the ground from all gaits. Then practice it while mounted until you trust it to work. Then, ask your trainer to ride just a few strides of canter, literally 3 or 4 and come back to trot and walk. When you’re ready, hop on to do the same exercise knowing your pony is with the program AND you have your verbal whoa if necessary.
When you’re good and ready, ask pony to keep going a few more strides. It’s easier to build a few strides than argue about stopping especially if all your verbal cues are well-instilled.
It’s ok to use “kindergarten blocks” with ourselves and not just our horses. Most of us were taught to do so for horses but were inadvertently taught to push ourselves too hard always. Back off of yourself and let it happen systematically in whatever time it takes. Maybe the exercise above will see you cantering in 2 weeks. Maybe it will take 6 months. It doesn’t matter because however long, you will have taken a path that builds your confidence and your partnership with your pony.
9 Likes
This is exactly my winter plan.
I’m mostly just trying to survive. I hate the dark and cold. I’m also alone almost every night while riding/working with my 3 year old, but he’s a good egg. I do get some decent Pivo footage at least.
4 Likes
Thanks for the suggestions. My trainer, who would have kept my pony for herself if she wasn’t too big for him, will lunge him at canter to help him balance. He halts at a whistle and she’ll put a command for canter on him too. I’ll probably canter on him while lunging at first, then be let loose. He’s 13.1 or 13.2 but he feels bigger when riding him. I like the idea of doing transitions, which will prevent it going to hell in a handbasket. He also has mild asthma so the canter breathing might be difficult until he gets in shape. My trainer teaches French Classical dressage and my pony is so very light and soft; hopefully it’ll be that way in canter as well.
3 Likes
