How many times a week do you ride on average? I know only too well how ‘life’ can just get in the way and other things crop up and demand your attention.

In fact, I have seen how even with a scheduled riding lesson, most adults find it difficult to keep that appointment in their calendar due to unforeseen circumstances. It leads to feelings of frustration in all involved parties: the rider, the instructor and the horse.

Lets have a quick look at a few action steps you can put into practice today that will increase your chances of actually getting to the barn and into the saddle more often.

• * Schedule time with your horse
• * Make that time non-negotiable
• * Pack and plan ahead
• * Ask for help if necessary
• * Keep motivated and inspired
• * Set yourself a goal or challenge

So lets go through each of these in a little more detail.

1. Schedule time with your horse
We all have a schedule, whether it be in our heads, in our journals or on our phone, p.c, iPad. Each day there are certain things we have to get done, tasks, and we will put aside other projects in favor of those which we prioritize. In order to make your horse riding a priority, you need to begin to fit it into your schedule, so other ‘less important’ things can work around it, and not vice versa.

Remember when you are scheduling that time, to allow for the drive to and from the stables, as well as the time it takes to tack up, warm up, cool down and just general care of your horse.

2. Make that time non-negotiable
Now, this can often be difficult for us to do, particularly if we have other responsibilities elsewhere, such as family, business, work etc. However making time for yourself and something you enjoy is one of your top responsibilities! Particularly if you want to do well and be of greater service to these other areas of your life. Block out the time on the office calendar, there is no need to tell others what you are doing with your time. Switch off your phone or, if you really do need to stay in contact, put it onto ‘Do not disturb’ or ‘Silence’ mode. You can then monitor who you speak or communicate with in that time block. Lastly, assess every so called Emergency that you have to deal with. Often, these things are only taking your attention and focus from your goals, in order to facilitate someone else’s Agenda. I realize this sounds a bit uncaring initially, but trust me, once you begin to really give thought to what is an emergency and what can wait two or three hours without the world ending, you will begin to notice a feeling of freedom and also, a sense of more control in your life.

3. Pack and plan ahead
This is a no-brainer, but it often surprises me how many people fail to do this. Pack your riding gear the night before and either put it in the car, or by the front door to pick up as you leave. Have your tack cleaned and ready to go, again packed and waiting. Always have a rain coat or jacket in the car if necessary, as well as your helmet and gloves. Boots are another thing to have prepared. In fact, depending on where you live, you could keep a pair of Hunters or similar in the boot of your car at all times. Then, even if you forget your actual riding boots, you are still good to go! The other thing that I recommend packing ahead is a snack or food.

Often, after a busy day at work we feel tired and hungry… Those feelings being to put those ‘oh I will just ride tomorrow’ thoughts into your head! Be prepared for it!

4. Ask for help if necessary
Often, no matter what we do, we still cannot seem to make enough time available to do everything that we feel is expected of us. You need to begin accepting this and looking for ways others can help you. For example, bringing your horse in from the paddock and tacking up take time that perhaps you don’t have. Ask your barn manager if they can perhaps have your horse in and ready for you certain days and times. They will probably charge a small fee; remember now there time is being spent, not yours, which makes this fee only fair. Or, ask your spouse or partner to arrange to cook dinner two nights a week… Even have take out once a week! Begin to look at your schedule with a fresh perspective for things which you are currently doing, but which others could easily do for you… Then ask for help!

5. Set yourself a goal or challenge
I know, it sounds often childish (memories of my parents playing the “Go fetch my shoes…. I’ll time you!” come rushing back!) but, it often works. There are some great Apps that you can download and use. Now, while not actually for horse riding, they work the same. Nike Running allows you to set challenges that are supposed to be completed under your own steam, running. But, this app can easily be used for riding, allowing you to clock your ‘workouts’ time wise and set goals to spend a certain amount of time in the saddle each week. Another good challenge is the Rider Fitness Challenge that we have created. You can use it and then see if it actually helps with your riding. The most extreme ‘challenge’ that I can imagine is actually entering you and your horse into an event or competition. The date is set, you have spent the money… Great motivation to get to the yard and into the saddle!

6. Stay motivated and inspired.
This is different for everyone. What inspires one person, can turn the next person off completely! Sit down at some point over the coming days and try to recall what makes you excited and eager to get into the saddle. Then look for ways to incorporate more of this into your daily life. Whether it be reading your favorite magazine, watching the show jumping on the T.V, beautiful photos of dressage on Pinterest…Whatever floats your boat! Often the challenges or goals that we spoke about in point 5 are enough to make us jump up out of bed each morning, rearing to go. But more often than not, we need a little extra ‘something’ to help keep moving the ball down the field, or the horse around the arena!  Podcasts are also a great way, as you can listen to them while you make the journey to work or the barn, imagining what you will do when you actually ride, creating excitement all the way.

Another idea for creating motivation to ride is cleaning your tack!  Seriously… How good does it feel to ride your beautiful horse, all kitted out in pristine tack?  The little things :-)

Here at Strides for Success we create daily 12 minute audio horse riding lesson which you can listen to while you ride. The lessons can be downloaded to your phone or iPod and listened to while riding on your horse, or driving, taking the train, walking… Anywhere really! The 5 new lesson weekly fit together to create a full 1 hour lesson every week, covering topics that help you become a better and more skillful rider.

If you have any further tips to help riders spend less time thinking about and more time actually riding, leave them below.

You can read more on topics like this when you visit www.stridesforsuccess.com