The struggle is real! I have a 40 + a week day job and for some insane reason I own four horses that need to be ridden. So, as I was recently asked, how do I do it?

Well my friends, it takes a village! First a foremost scheduling is everything, you MUST schedule your time appropriately. If you don’t make time it wont happen.

Let me break it down by season because this changes how I juggle things quite a bit. We have 2 seasons here in Idaho, the warm, unlimited light in the day months and the cold, its only light while I am work and I can only ride indoors months.

I try to give my horses time off from Mid November – December. This is time for them to decompress from all the showing and traveling and time for me to recharge and have a life outside of horses.

During the winter months I make sure to schedule in 3 riding days a week. These are the must do riding days, anything extra is just icing on the cake. I take one lesson a week from my trainer, one weeknight ride at the indoor with friends and both weekend days which are usually at the indoor so I have to check their schedule for open ride times. During these cold, dark months I rely very heavily on my husband for help. He typically gets my horse ready for my weekly lesson (grooms him and puts his boots and cooler on and loads him in the trailer). That way I don’t have to leave work too early and I can just run home, change and jump in the truck and head to my lesson.

Again, I couldn’t do this with out a village. I am very lucky to have a few teenagers in my life that are very good kids and very good riders. They love to ride my boys and I am happy to have the help to keep them in work. Several winters ago I started renting time one weekend a month at a local indoor arena. This allows time for me to jump and invite friends to ride with me (This is super important also). Invite your horse friends to ride with you when you can, it is always nice to have company. Lastly, for these cold months don’t be too hard on your self. The days are short and the weather is crap so any horse time you can get it in is good!

The warmer months in Idaho are easier to for me. The days are lighter longer and the warm weather makes it easier to get out and ride. I typically increase my lessons to two times weekly so that I can have a flat and a jump lesson. I also belong to a local riding club just up the road that has a large outdoor arena and a sand track for conditioning. I typically go to the riding club twice a week as well. I am lucky enough to have my horses at my house and I have a small arena as well, so when the weather gets really hot I will put in at least one early morning ride before work. Additionally we have a lots of local schooling opportunities in the valley which helps us get out and put our hard work in to practice.

My best advise is to sit down and make a schedule that works for you. Even if it only starts with one day a week that is a start. You also have to have the support of your family and friends. Horses are a dedication and they take time so make time. Set goals, this helps give you something to work towards. No matter how big or small goals help keep you on track but remember be flexible, it is often one step forward and two steps back so don’t be disappointed if progress is slow. It is still progress!