Every new year brings with it lofty promises to ourselves that we’re going to make all these big changes to our lives and truly become our dream selves. People generally make big decisions at the start of a new year or a new month, since the idea is that it makes it easier to track progress. When considering your horsey new year’s resolutions though, it’s important to remember brain science.
When we set big goals for ourselves, we’re less likely to follow through on them, which is why so many new year’s resolutions get abandoned part way through January. While there’s nothing wrong with having a big goal in mind, setting smaller goals that can be achieved without much more effort all at once will make you far more likely to achieve that big goal, since they’re much less intimidating and easier to get yourself to work towards.
Setting horsey new year’s resolutions is no different. Here are some horsey new year’s resolutions to consider that are easy to maintain and that will help you reach your long-term goals!
#1. Spend More Quality Time With Your Horse
While riding is certainly quality time, sometimes it can be tempting to breeze through the grooming and tacking process in order to get into the saddle as soon as possible, and then to simply put your horse away when you’re done. A horsey new year’s resolution to consider is spending some more quality time with your horse, be that spending more time grooming, taking some extra moment to cuddle, hanging out with them in the pasture or their stall, or even just going to the stables to give them pets and treats on days where you don’t ride. Both you and your horse will feel more bonded and appreciative of each other the more quality time you spend together.
#2. Try A New Discipline
We all have our favored disciplines. Some of us are staunchly Western riders, others have never been out of an English saddle. This new year, maybe try out a new discipline when you get the chance to. You’ll learn more about horses, maybe some new riding techniques, and an increased respect for all the other ways people ride and what these amazing horses can do.
If you stick to Western pleasure, maybe test out an English discipline or another Western style. If you’re a jumper, maybe give dressage or another English or Western discipline a go. You don’t need to take it on, but simply testing it out can be very beneficial, since it will boost your confidence and give you a better understanding of riding as a whole.
#3. Up Your Fitness Levels
There’s no doubt that riding is a sport. The more fit you are and the stronger your core is, the easier riding will be – for both you and your horse. You don’t need to hit the gym every day, but even just adding a mini ab workout into your daily routine can help you be a better rider.
#4. Add Another Ride Or Two To Your Weekly Schedule
If you want to ride more, a horsey new year’s resolution many people strive to is to try to ride 5-6 days a week. While admirable, if you don’t ride much and you have a busy schedule, this can be a hard adjustment to make, though it is doable if you have a lot of self-discipline and the time for it. Rather than telling yourself that you’re going to ride six days out of the week if you currently ride one or two days a week, striving to ride just one or two times more will be far more attainable and easier to maintain in the long run.
#5. Be Open To Learning
We’re constantly learning about horses. The best riders and trainers are the ones who acknowledge that you’ll never know everything. A horsey new year’s resolution to consider is to be open to any learning opportunities you come across, such as new methods or health considerations. You may be surprised at what a new piece of knowledge can do for you and your horse!
#6. Check Your Horse’s Diet
Just like people, dietary needs vary from horse to horse. What’s good for one horse can be bad for another. Alfalfa can be a fantastic choice for some horses, but cause others to get hot or to gain weight. You may consult with your vet about your horse’s diet to ensure that you’re giving them the best possible nutrition. One thing that is consistent across all horses though is the need for constant access to clean fresh water. If you don’t have an automatic waterer, you may consider installing one, to keep your horse happy and hydrated.
#7. Be More Grateful
When we’re making horsey new year’s resolutions, it can be easy to focus on all the things we’re not and all the things we and our horses need to improve on. While striving for improvement is always good, it’s equally important to be grateful for what we have. A fantastic horsey new year’s resolution to make is simply to be more grateful that you have the opportunity to be around horses, to ride, for all your horse does for you, for your barn, for so many things. There’s always someone who wishes they had what you do. Gratitude is an excellent practice for every part of our lives.
#8. Acknowledge Your And Your Horse’s Progress
As mentioned in the previous point, we can get stuck on how far we need to go without taking a moment to acknowledge how far you’ve come. A horsey new year’s resolution to consider is to be more mindful of you and your horse’s progress. Be proud of how you’ve progressed as a rider, how your horse has learned! Celebrating your successes will make improvement so much easier, when you acknowledge just how you’ve improved every step of the way.
Count Us Into Your Horsey New Year’s Resolutions
Bar Bar A wants to help you stick with your horsey new year’s resolutions by providing your horse with fresh, clean water all year round. Our automatic waterers won’t freeze in winter or get too hot in the summer, ensuring that your horse always has access to the water they need. To learn more about our automatic waterers and how they can benefit your horse, contact us today!
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