There is something about the fog drifting across pastures that is satisfying.
It’s the kind of day that begs for the sound of hoofbeats on fallen leaves, the whisper of flexing leather.
And so I went.
Balancing Work & Riding
When I switched companies this summer, my new company included a full year’s worth of Paid Time Off. Generous of them, but because our policy is “use or lose” by the end of the calendar year – I needed to take some time off!
I decided to take this opportunity to put in practice something I’ve been working on: a more balanced approach to work and riding.
When I went back to full time work earlier this year, I knew it would cut down on my riding time but we were working through some mysterious medical concerns with Elf so it wasn’t pressing. As he went back to work, summer’s early mornings let me get my rides in before work so it made for a long day but was doable. As the mornings have gotten darker, though, I have to be more intentional about holding that space in my calendar.
I’m fortunate that my work flexes – I can shift my work hours earlier or later to fit my rides around meetings. To do that with any frequency, though, I have to make my riding time as much a priority as a small people-pleasing tendency makes the things my work and family ask me to do.
Wednesday Morning
With all that PTO to use in a relatively short time, I took off a series of half days off during the week so that I could ride without being in hurry – and today was the first one.
(hint: it’s amazing)
Last weekend, the horses had no turnout from Friday to Sunday because of heavy rain and slick paddocks. Elf visited the Theraplate on Friday, had a long walk on Saturday and a easy, stretchy ride on Sunday. But I knew that he would likely still be a bit on the stiffer side, simply a consequence of being 19 years old and being stuck in a stall and not working on his normal schedule.
During a typical week, my trainer and her barn manager will make sure that Elf is groomed and has Theraplate time twice a week, then lunged once a week. We’re pretty good at timing all of this normally, but weren’t quite on it this week. When I rolled in at 8:30 am, Elf had already been lunged.
Having planned a light ride anyway, I saddled up and headed to the arena.
Lesson Learned: when Elf is already warmed up and I’m not, it takes a LOT of core strength to sit in the saddle effectively. After 30 minutes of walk-trot-canter, a little lateral work, and some work on prompt & engaged walk-trot-walk transitions – my core was absolute toast. The go button was firmly engaged!
We finished up with a long walk through the rustling trees and fog. I was surprised, considering that this was double the work Elf’s been doing lately, that he was forward and energized on our walk. It was a reminder that I need to not assume that he needs less work as the answer to every bit of stiffness or speed bump. More fitness, and particularly low pressure movement, might be a better answer to keeping him functionally sound as he gets older.
A little extra time
Since I wasn’t in a hurry, I had time to take care of some horse-keeping tasks that have been sitting on the list lately. I cleaned out my trunk and swapped the fly gear for Elf’s collection of blankets. I chatted with Deirdre about how to best manage Elf’s wraps (he wears standing wraps when they don’t get turned out to prevent stocking up). And I arranged for a little extra hay so I can supplement when he’s stuck in his stall.
Even after the extra time, I got home in plenty of time to shower, eat lunch with my husband and do a little early Christmas online shopping before I needed to be on the computer for work.
This. This is the kind of balance that makes riding feel like something I do for me, instead of just one more thing on my miles long to do list.
It’s just taken me awhile to figure that out.