Barriers to Riding

I suppose every activity we do has supports and barriers. Riding, perhaps, may have more barriers than many activities and sports. I'd like to mention a couple of the barriers that I face. Uppermost in my mind, after the long and snowy winter (135+ inches so far, and winter still holds on!), is weather. For anyone in these northern climates, I don't think an explanation is necessary! Summertime can bring too much heat, humidity and the aggravation of insects, all of which make for an umpleasant experience for the horse, as well as the rider, and in extreme cases, it's hazardous to the health of horse and rider.

Time is also a factor for all of us, since riding is, let's face it, an activity that requires lots of time in preparation, and a fair amount of time after the activity, especially if one follows a process that's best for horse and rider....grooming, picking out hooves, lunging, then cooling down the horse and a brief post-ride time spent on grooming and/or bonding.

For myself, as I age, I face physical challenges I thought would never affect me! Sore joints, sore back, less flexibility and loss of muscle tone. And probably worst of all, as those physical ailments kick in, a growing caution about riding, which can easily grow into something stronger. What's the answer to overcoming these barriers? With regard to time and weather, careful planning can help, allowing me to make optimal use of good weather, and chunks of time. "Striking while the iron is hot" can also help. Reminding myself that a short ride, or limiting myself to groundwork is better than skipping the time completely. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. And with regard to physical and mindset issues - taking lessons, staying active, keeping fit, and lots of self-talk are the best antidote!