Top 10: Balancing Horses with Life

For many of us, riding helps keep us sane. But sometimes it's a struggle to not only find the time to spend with our horses, but in figuring out how to make that oh so necessary time at the barn work with the rest of our life. Friends, family, funds - it's a balancing act. Here's our Top 10 that will hopefully give you some ideas on how to keep it all in perspective.

• Schedule Yourself. It sounds crazy, but if you put your time at the barn on the calendar and keep it consistent, it sets everyone's expectations about where you'll be every Wednesday night and Saturday morning. Once on the schedule, stick to it if at all humanly possible. Don't let yourself fall prey to the office, chores, or any other new obligations.

• Reach Out. Seriously, let the people that mean the most to you know how much your time with your horse means to you. They might not always "get it", but if you don't at least try to explain it to them, they certainly won't understand the importance your horse or horses have in your life.

• Build a Support Network. Partner up with other horse people or friends that are trying to balance everything. Establish a barter system. You pick their kids up from school on Thursday so they pick up for you on Wednesday when you ride.

• Pack Your Bags. Try to always have some barn clothes in your car or truck so you don't have to always run home to change. You may even get some extra riding time in this way!

• DIY. You can save yourself a bit of money by learning some basic care of your horse like how to vaccinate, worm or treat minor abrasions. Talk to your vet. They are usually really happy to have you help out and teach you some of the basics.

• Spousal Support. Okay - so we don't mean to gender-ize but we know a lot of you ladies out there whose men don't even know how many horses their girlfriends or wives own. Some men just don't get it and never will. Our suggestion - don't make your "other" a weekend widow because of the barn (See #1 - Schedule). Also, be supportive and interested in what he's into and if that means enduring the car or boat show, do it!

• Budget, Budget, Budget. If you want to show or do some special clinics, plan it and budget for it. Don't tax yourself or your bank account.

• Stop Talking! Horsey people don't mind and actually crave talking horses 24/7, but don't do that to your non-horsey friends and family. It just gets annoying and you'll find people are running from you rather than to you at your next neighborhood BBQ.

• Manage Your Trainer. If you are at a barn with a trainer, don't feel you have to go overboard on spending money for lessons. Maybe do one every two weeks and have him or her give you a list of things to work on like homework. Throw a clinic in every now and again. And, of course, use sites like U Rock 'n Ride to help you improve your skills.

• Don't Sweat It. Forget doing it all. It just isn't going to happen. Sometimes the family will eat take-out and the laundry will get a bit behind. Who really cares? If you're happier and grounded because of your time with your horse, the other stuff will get done one way or the other.

Do you have some other ideas? Let's hear 'em. Comment below or post on the Top 10: Balancing Horses with Life forum connected to this series.

Comments  

 

# momma2411 2008-09-19 09:51

Man you nailed it, not only for just horse people either, this is a life plan. Every suggestion can help to better your life in and out of the barn, thanks for a reminder, sometimes we all get so caught up it takes something just like this to bring us back to reality, and help us get the most out of what we want to do. Good Job!!!!!!!!!

 

 

# Sens 2009-01-12 12:36

Really good ideas... my time is pretty limited now with a 1 year old...:sad:

 

 

# horsegirl207 2009-01-22 08:00

When I had my 5th child at 44 after 10 years it really cramped my style. Luckily I had plenty of babysitters so I could get away for a horse ride.

 

 

# Mary 2009-01-24 02:36

Well I'm finally getting back to the love of a horse,I was busy being mom to 7 children and its now my time,I'll be 50 this Apirl. I said I have to go over the hill to get my life back,lol I don't think its to late ever to get back to horses. I was so busy raising my kids I forgot how much I loved it until a friend of mine moved back with her horses and she had me come ride one day and it hit me like a ton of bricks of what I had been missing for so long. I guess I owe her a life time of gratitude. So if any of you know someone that sound like my story, go get them,take them riding cause they pry forgot how much fun they've been missing out on.;-)

 

 

# maryhilg 2009-01-25 20:27

I am very busy girl as well. I can get very caught up in the have to do list, but have found that if I dont spend time with my orses I get tense. I need those guys to mellow me out and help me find peace again.

 

 

# clorenz 2009-04-06 08:32

And to think here I thought I was crazy...I have always felt that way....It is good to know that I am not the only one out there that makes time for her horses and doesnt see it as a chore but a simple but yet powerful love......

 

 

# cherylcarlson 2009-04-09 08:07

Yep there is some good Ideas

 

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