Horse owners have jobs, families, friends, emergencies and other obligations that may seem to leave little time for horses. This is particularly true for horse owners who board their animals at stables several minutes away, as travel time is added to equestrian activities.
Fortunately, however, making room for equestrian activities in a busy lifestyle might not be as difficult as one might think. It is a matter of prioritizing one's life and finding the best times of day to spend at the barn.
Get Organized
It is nearly impossible to find time for horses when organization isn't a factor. Most people schedule meetings, deadlines, work and other obligations using a planning device, and the same should be true of equestrian activities.
Plan a time every day (or every other day) when you have a free hour or two to visit your horses and perhaps go for a ride. Make it a ritual that you can't give up or replace with something else; pretend it's a work function you can't skip without suffering the wrath of your boss.
Move the Horse
If you are having trouble finding time for horses, it might be best to move the horse closer to where you live. These days, gas prices and long lines of traffic can make getting in the car worse than a visit to the dentist for a root canal. Make it easier by boarding horses close by.
If this isn't an option, make spending time with horses worthwhile. In addition to grooming and riding horses, do your errands in the vicinity of your barn and take care of other business that requires your attention. This way, you have an excuse to drive several miles to the barn.
Try the Mornings
There are times when visiting the horses in the afternoon just isn't feasible. This doesn't mean that you can't find time for horses, however, because you still have the mornings. Rather than waiting until you get home from work, exhausted and ready for bed, get up earlier and take in a morning ride.
Not only will this create a new time slot for horses, but it will also rejuvenate you and prepare you for the day. There is nothing more peaceful or relaxing than riding in the morning when no one else is at the barn and you are free to do what you wish.
Take Advantage of Weekends
The weekdays might be difficult for finding time for horses, but the weekends are wide open. Even if you have to take little Susie to soccer practice and little Nicky to karate class, there will probably be time for horses.
Many horse owners choose to spend all day at the barn on weekends, riding once or twice and taking care of other barn chores for the rest of the day. This is a relaxing way to spend your time off and will help you reconnect with your horses.
Give Up Something
Are you spreading yourself too thin? Another way to find time for horses is to give something else up. No one can do everything, and your other activities might be getting in the way. For example, perhaps you could drop that pottery class on Saturday morning or head to the barn for an energetic ride rather than hitting the gym on Wednesdays.
Finding time for horses isn't always easy, but you can make time for anything if you are passionate enough.
Laura Thompson - Laura Thompson is a horseback riding instructor and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. She is proud to be the feature writer for ...
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