If you are the typical amateur equestrian, holding down a 40-hour + work week, a family, a home, horse(s) and a passion for riding and competing you are like so many of us involved in the sport who are trying to balance what they love with what is needed to support the lifestyle! There is nothing like coming out to ride after a 10-hour work day—it is decompression time, stress relief, and an energy boost. There is much literature out there that speaks to the calming effect of animal companionship (recommend reading "Therapeutic Aspects of the Human-Companion Animal Interaction". Barker, Sandra B. Psychiatric Times. Vol. 16. No. 2). In addition, we all know the wonderful feeling of physical exhaustion after a workout with our horses—our endorphins pump, our muscles burn, and our heart rate is elevated in one of the best cardiovascular workouts you can get. As an aside, I dared to take a spinning class for the first time during a holiday break from work. My very fit, workout addict neighbor was kind (or perhaps just sadistic) enough to bring me in as her guest. It was an hour long and very intense—I barely made it. The instructor Susan was impressed that I had endured the entire session. This was funny to me since she didn’t seem to be as sympathetic during the workout…. She stated “you have a good cardiovascular baseline, you must do some other type of workout.” I told her that I ride 4 times a week—that’s all! That said, finding the time to ride during our busy, often chaotic, work week is easier said than done. Here are a few tips that the savvy every day equestrian should live by:
· Get the support of your family. Let your family members know that riding is your stress relief and exercise and that it makes you a better mother, father, wife, husband, etc. in the long run! Invite them to partake in your passion if possible.
· Take care of yourself. Eat right and try not to binge-eat your stress away. Get as much sleep as you can. If you are a mom/dad this can be very challenging so set (and stick to!) your kids bedtimes; this will ensure you have time at night to organize for the next day. If possible take a yoga class to improve your flexibility and promote a sense of well-being—this is a great exercise adjacency for the equestrian athlete. Yoga classes are often offered in the workplace where you are able to take a class during your lunch hour.
· Schedule your riding time in advance every week and stick to it. Work it in around meetings, doctor appointments, and the kids’ after school sports. Like going to the gym, riding requires commitment. Keep your schedule on the refrigerator calendar, your blackberry and anywhere else your appointments appear so that other things do not creep into the time you have with your horse.
· Ensure your barn keeps hours that enable you to maximize your riding time. Some equestrian centers have showers and early morning hours that allow you to ride before work. Many barns offer evening hours.
· Schedule your lessons strategically and with instructors who appreciate your hectic schedule and the inherent setbacks that come with it. Lessons are VERY important to your progress as a rider, and the accomplishments made during a lesson help us feel better about ourselves. Your instructor is there to help you meet your goals, but they should also be empathetic to your schedule and the inconsistencies and last-minute changes that come with it! Try not to schedule lessons on days that you have an important business presentation or back-to-back meetings. Arriving at the barn for a physically challenging lesson when you are mentally still at work can be counterproductive to the advancement of you and your horse.
· Get the support of your family. Let your family members know that riding is your stress relief and exercise and that it makes you a better mother, father, wife, husband, etc. in the long run! Invite them to partake in your passion if possible.
· Take care of yourself. Eat right and try not to binge-eat your stress away. Get as much sleep as you can. If you are a mom/dad this can be very challenging so set (and stick to!) your kids bedtimes; this will ensure you have time at night to organize for the next day. If possible take a yoga class to improve your flexibility and promote a sense of well-being—this is a great exercise adjacency for the equestrian athlete. Yoga classes are often offered in the workplace where you are able to take a class during your lunch hour.
· Schedule your riding time in advance every week and stick to it. Work it in around meetings, doctor appointments, and the kids’ after school sports. Like going to the gym, riding requires commitment. Keep your schedule on the refrigerator calendar, your blackberry and anywhere else your appointments appear so that other things do not creep into the time you have with your horse.
· Ensure your barn keeps hours that enable you to maximize your riding time. Some equestrian centers have showers and early morning hours that allow you to ride before work. Many barns offer evening hours.
· Schedule your lessons strategically and with instructors who appreciate your hectic schedule and the inherent setbacks that come with it. Lessons are VERY important to your progress as a rider, and the accomplishments made during a lesson help us feel better about ourselves. Your instructor is there to help you meet your goals, but they should also be empathetic to your schedule and the inconsistencies and last-minute changes that come with it! Try not to schedule lessons on days that you have an important business presentation or back-to-back meetings. Arriving at the barn for a physically challenging lesson when you are mentally still at work can be counterproductive to the advancement of you and your horse.
Have a good ride!
Mel
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