Sunday, February 24, 2013

Winter is almost over


The letter from the editor in a recent issue of Dressage Today noted that February (and I may supplement 'February' for 'winter in general') is an excellent time to reflect on your progress in the last year and your goals for the upcoming season. 

I have given myself a very hard time this season, thinking that since I have access to an indoor arena, I should be covering a lot more ground. If you're similarly perfectionist, join me in a chorus of "stop it." Just because you have an indoor arena doesn't mean you can, or even SHOULD, be riding! 

Since December, the majority of my riding has been lessons, which happen once or twice a week. Sometimes those get cancelled because the temperature goes below 20F. There is a spirit in me that wants to say eff it, we're riding anyway but no! It's cold, it's painful, it's hard to ride effectively if you can't feel your hands or feet. And let's not forget that this is a sport utilizing a living being as your partner who probably feels just as meh about the cold as you do. Other days, it's hard to imagine leaving the coziness of your home to do anything other than a quick visit to hug your horse or do a chore or two. Some days I just cannot imagine doing any riding work, so if you're not in it, why bother?