| training your horse, it is a smart idea to keep a training | | | | Of course, it is great to keep track of any upcoming |
| diary. This is a book in which you keep track of what | | | | events and record your training plans for those events. |
| you have done each day, and how that training | | | | If possible, keep a separate section for all of your |
| session went. | | | | show results. By comparing your training plans with |
| Training diaries are useful for a number of reasons. | | | | what you actually did, you will be able to see if your |
| Have you ever felt that you are in a rut with your | | | | training plan is sensible and if it is working. |
| training and that nothing is improving? With a training | | | | What type of journal works best? |
| diary you can go back and see if that feeling is | | | | There are lots of options to consider when choosing a |
| justified. You might find that while it seems that you | | | | journal. For some, having a paper trail at the barn is |
| have made no progress, in fact you and your horse | | | | absolutely necessary. Trying to remember everything |
| have improved steadily over the last few weeks | | | | by the time you get home can be very difficult. |
| without your even noticing it. If things are not going well, | | | | One option is to buy a regular journal or diary from the |
| you might see that your training pattern has fallen into | | | | store. Because often weekends have abbreviated |
| a rut and that you need to try making changes to your | | | | pages, be careful to select one that has full weekend |
| schedule to help jump start your training program. | | | | pages, or if you take days off mid week, try adjusting |
| If you have noticed that your horse is sore, or unhappy, | | | | the days accordingly. Make sure that there is enough |
| you can use your training journal to find out if this is | | | | room to record everything. |
| something that has been creeping up over time, or if it | | | | A journal that does not have specific dates may be a |
| is a sudden development. A journal also allows you to | | | | better option. You might even find that a blank, bound |
| take a look back a few months to see if that | | | | book with lined pages does the trick. These are usually |
| lameness in the right hind is the same as you | | | | available at the dollar store, saving you lots of money. |
| remember from before, or if it is in fact something | | | | You can buy special riding journals at the tack store if |
| different. | | | | you look around. They are designed for the purpose. |
| What should you keep track of in your journal? | | | | These often cost a fair bit of money, but are |
| While it may seem obvious, you should keep track of | | | | organized to suit the purpose. |
| all your training sessions. You should record how long | | | | Another option is to keep an online journal or a |
| the session was, what you did, and point out any | | | | computer-based journal. The only difficulty is that most |
| improvements or set-backs you may have had. If your | | | | barns don’t have computer access, so you |
| horse does anything unusual, even if it seems | | | | would need to update things at home. One idea would |
| inconsequential, you should record it. Likewise any | | | | be to create pages that you keep at the barn in a |
| things you did differently, positive or negative, should be | | | | binder to fill out, then bring them home and update your |
| recorded. | | | | computer journal with the information you recorded. |
| Other things worth recording are any visits made by | | | | The type of journal that works best is really a matter |
| the vet or the farrier. Keep track of any cuts or | | | | of personal preference. It is more important that you |
| scrapes, and how they happened if you know. If your | | | | are comfortable with your recording system than that |
| barn owner makes any changes in your | | | | it fits in with the norm. Use whatever works best for |
| horse’s feed, record it so that you can see if it | | | | you, and be sure to keep it up to date. In the long run, |
| makes any difference to his attitude or performance. If | | | | the journal will be an excellent resource, and will also |
| you try a new supplement, a new piece of equipment, | | | | serve as a wonderful way to remember your |
| or anything else new, be sure to record it. | | | | experience years after your horse is gone. |