Why Do You Ride?

Horse owners are no stranger to challenges and the need to be adaptable, ready to drop everything at a moment’s notice to respond to the needs of their horse.

The speed bumps in our equestrian journey and unexpected diversions contribute to our resilience. Frustration and human emotions are valid and unsurprising, and sometimes we need time to acknowledge and process them.

I am convinced the reason we keep going as equestrians is that we love our horses. We can’t necessarily explain or articulate our connection, but there is a pull that keeps bringing us back to them.

An important question I ask riders is: “Why do you ride?”

The answer may change at different points in our equestrian lives. Thinking about the question can remind us what matters to us, particularly when training feels difficult or plans have changed.

There may be the enjoyment of learning something new with your horse, the satisfaction of an exercise beginning to make sense, the anticipation of a competition or simply the pleasure of spending time together. Your answer belongs to you and your horse, and it may look quite different at another point in your lives together.

Schooling will always have its challenges, but I want horses and riders to enjoy their time together. When something feels difficult, the answer isn’t always to try harder. Sometimes it helps to pause, notice what is happening and think about what you are trying to achieve together.

As a coach, I encourage riders to be patient and to ride with empathy for their horse. Notice the responses your horse gives you, recognise the things that are going well and give both of you time to understand the questions you are working on.

Progress can include the days when something clicks into place, but it can also be found in the moments when you change your plan, make an exercise easier, laugh at something that has gone slightly awry or decide that today is a good day for a hack instead.

Perhaps that is why “Why do you ride?” is such an interesting question to return to.

Your answer can change. Your plans can change. Your horse can change what you thought the plan was going to be.

Somewhere amongst all of that is the reason you keep coming back to spend time with your horse.