Quality over quantity in training

Full disclosure I have done nothing but throw hay at my horses, poo pick, care for their hooves and change their rugs since before Christmas. It can feel so overwhelming to even think about training when we seem to have a storm every few days, the ground is either frozen solid or a total bog and the horses are resembling some sort of feral mud monster. Life gets in the way and just finding a place to start can be so difficult.

So I’ll tell you how I’m starting with my boys and how I tell my clients to start implementing changes too.

Start small, if it feels overwhelming its not small enough. Today I did 5 minutes of target training in the field with Lenny with his rug still on. Is it going to get him ready for Olympic qualification? No. Is it going to start improving his body and getting his mind back on board with me? Yes.

Start with something absolutely tiny, 30 seconds of standing still with you on the headcollar, 5 repetitions of asking for a rock backwards and forwards, one lap of the yard walking in hand each way, just “something” to get your brain into the habit of it.

The easiest way to build habits is to add them onto something you already do every day. Practise your leading/postural exercises going to/from the field. Spend a few minutes in the stable practising standing quietly together before you do your rug changes.

5 minutes every other day of quality time is going to be much more effective than one inconsistent longer session once a week. Consistency is the key to making progress.

The great thing about creating habits is that they create motivation. Motivation doesn’t come first, discipline does.

Once you are back into the habit it is easy to build up to doing longer sessions and venturing further afield with your horse. Your horse will be in a better headspace to do more too.

How do you make it easier to build training into your winter routine? 🐴