| What is the secret of staying motivated, even when it | | | | several ways, but here are few to begin with: |
| feels as if you are getting absolutely no where with | | | | 1. Focus on the benefits. With every task or chore you |
| your riding or training of your horse? | | | | do, spend a few moments emphasizing the benefit |
| Have you ever wondered how some horse riders | | | | you will receive from doing it. Why are you getting up |
| seem to stay motivated so effortlessly? | | | | at 5 to muck out? So that you can have time to ride |
| How do they manage get up in the pitch-dark on a | | | | this afternoon. In order to get and stay motivated, it is |
| freezing winter morning to muck out and whistle | | | | crucial to have some sort of payoff in mind. Even if |
| happily while they do it? | | | | your payoff will come at a future time, remind yourself |
| If you've ever had a hard time getting or staying | | | | why this task or chore is a good thing. |
| disciplined to muck out, or get back on or try an | | | | 2. Work towards a specific realistic goal. Divide the |
| exercise one more time, you may have been | | | | goal into small steps and focus on one each day. |
| struggling with a lack of motivation. Motivation and | | | | Remind yourself that if you don't complete the steps |
| discipline usually go hand-in-hand for riders and horses, | | | | that will create the outcome you desire, you will not |
| because without motivation, it is nearly impossible to | | | | meet your objective. |
| become disciplined. Ironically, once you become | | | | 3. Use visualization. See the big picture. Remember |
| disciplined you rarely need to be motivated to keep | | | | that this task is only one part of a larger puzzle. It's |
| your life running smoothly. | | | | hard to get inspired about cleaning tack, until you |
| Discipline is a willingness and commitment to do what | | | | envision yourself accepting the winner's trophy sitting |
| needs to be done. Without discipline, our lives would be | | | | on this very same shining, immaculate saddle. By |
| in disarray. Think about the things you do on a daily or | | | | looking at the big picture, each little task will retain a |
| weekly basis that are required in order to maintain | | | | measure of importance in your own mind. |
| your life properly. Mucking out, cleaning tack, washing | | | | 4. Inspire yourself! Put inspirational quotes and posters |
| rugs, grooming, checking and cleaning paddocks and | | | | where you can see them often, watch inspirational |
| maintaining your vehicle and trailer, working, bathing, | | | | movies, spend time with other riders who inspire you. |
| paying bills, balancing the checkbook, sleeping, and | | | | Read inspirational books, about horses and training and |
| more are all required activities. Without them, what | | | | great masters, but also books written especially for |
| would your life look like? And your horse? | | | | equestrians who need more motivation, confidence |
| If you lack self-discipline, you may find yourself | | | | and self-discipline. Make sure you have a trainer that |
| procrastinating and putting your duties aside which can | | | | inspires you - essential if you are to make any |
| create a colossal mess if it's done too frequently. | | | | progress. |
| Ingrained unhelpful habits and an undisciplined mind may | | | | 5. Set time apart every day to review your motivation |
| eventually prevent you from achieving your horse | | | | and your goals. Keep a training log. Record your hopes, |
| riding dreams; and without some kind of inner or outer | | | | dreams, doubts and victories. Get yourself a life coach |
| motivation you are unlikely to develop the discipline you | | | | that works exclusively with equestrians and |
| need. | | | | understands exactly how many challenges horse |
| In order to escape this downward spiral and develop a | | | | riders and horse owners have to face every day. |
| strong sense of self-discipline, you need to get and | | | | The secret of horse riding success is to invest as |
| stay motivated! How can you do this? There are | | | | much time in your mental as in your physical training. |