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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 306
Location: Albany, Georgia | I'm trying to get in the routine of riding a horse or 2 before work just because the heat index is getting 100+ here. Who else does this and tell me your routine?! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
 
| I do it some on the weekends, while my hubby totally switches to mornings or nights only during the heat of summer. My arena and pasture are about 30 feet out my back door. I only ride 1 or 2, he rides multiple. Leave some time for you to shower/clean up before work. I just set an alarm, grab a quick bite to eat and head out. Tacking up, riding, cool down and putting up takes me about 45 min to an hour. Going to bed a little early the night before doesnt hurt either :)
** another thing that helps me is to have my work clothes already laid out the night before. So that I am not running around that morning trying to figure out what I will wear.
Edited by scwebster 2015-06-16 7:17 AM
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I did last summer.... Until my gelding freaked out over all the commotion going on (we have a construction company based off our property). Long story short (and after a few bruised ribs) I just wait until the evening time when it's quieter and cooler... But that's not a typical situation. With a different horse I'd do it again. I kept clothes laid out and had a coffee to go and off I went. |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I used too...I'm NOT a morning person, but it's my favorite time to ride. It's so peaceful. I have to leave my house by 7 now, or I'd do it again. Set your clothes out the night before and just run out the door. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 306
Location: Albany, Georgia | That's my only problem too is I have to be out the door by 7:15. But I have a lot of horses to keep rode so it would help if I could get 2-3 long trotted and then ride the colts/training horses during the late afternoon. |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | What is this heat you are talking about?? We went from Sping to Fall, 51 degrees in WY right now. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| DustToDiamonds - 2015-06-16 7:16 AM
That's my only problem too is I have to be out the door by 7:15. But I have a lot of horses to keep rode so it would help if I could get 2-3 long trotted and then ride the colts/training horses during the late afternoon.
If you can, pony one or two as you ride another. Then come back at night (I did this after I got my baby and husband to bed, lol) and ride some more if you can. I had literally no sleep, but with a new baby you don't get sleep anyways, so its 6 of one/half dozen of another is the way I see it.  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 306
Location: Albany, Georgia | We are in S. Ga so today's high is 98, tomorrow 99 and all week high 90s. |
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 Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
| Me … I leave my house at 5:15ish … usually home around 7. I board, so I have to drive about 10 miles. Usually just me and the water truck and tractor guy and one or two workers from the jumper barn. Due to my work schedule, I am only good for every other day - usually. |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | hoping not to hijack, just branch off of the OP.
I'm excited to read more about this as I was hoping to change my routine, my biggest concern isn't work necessarily,since i'm lucky enough to work from home and have a flexible schedule, but the fact that the bugs are relentless in the morning.(my horses are stalled during the day) I do my best to keep up, fly masks, good sprays, swat, waking up as soon as I hear the holler of, "I want in my stall now!" (that can range anywhere from 5 am-9 am. and yes my boys will stare at my house very awkwardly until I make an appearance. )
To cut my ramblings short, I feel like my horses are kind of mentally tapped by the morning time, from dealing with bugs AND being tired from all of their playing that night. Does that effect anyone's decision to ride or not to ride? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | UTAHCANCHASER - 2015-06-16 10:24 AM
What is this heat you are talking about?? We went from Sping to Fall, 51 degrees in WY right now.
Im with you! Was in sweatshirts yesterday. Didnt get above 60 up here in NY |
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| Racer4eva - 2015-06-16 10:38 AM UTAHCANCHASER - 2015-06-16 10:24 AM What is this heat you are talking about?? We went from Sping to Fall, 51 degrees in WY right now. Im with you! Was in sweatshirts yesterday. Didnt get above 60 up here in NY
This sounds heavenly!!! |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11493
Location: 31 lengths farms | I did for the last few years getting ready for Pendleton as it was 110 plus during the day or when I had a colt in for a friend and was headed to an Ed Wright clinic on him. I'm so not a morning person, I'm the kind that intentionally sets my clock 10-15 minutes fast and my alarm 15 minutes fast also and then hit the snooze button multiple times. I would get up at 4:45 and get 2 ridden before work, funny thing about 5 minutes into the first ride I'd be in a really good mood and it would normally last the rest of the day. I need to get back to doing that. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | run n rate - 2015-06-16 11:29 AM I did for the last few years getting ready for Pendleton as it was 110 plus during the day or when I had a colt in for a friend and was headed to an Ed Wright clinic on him. I'm so not a morning person, I'm the kind that intentionally sets my clock 10-15 minutes fast and my alarm 15 minutes fast also and then hit the snooze button multiple times. I would get up at 4:45 and get 2 ridden before work, funny thing about 5 minutes into the first ride I'd be in a really good mood and it would normally last the rest of the day. I need to get back to doing that.
I agree with the good mood. 
And I hate mornings!  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | I do, and I love it! I start around 6:30 and finish up around 7:30am. I have to be at work at 8 so that gives me plenty of time to change clothes and get cooled off before work. It also starts my day off on the right foot :-) Riding in the mornings has become very therapeutic for me. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | IRunOnFaith - 2015-06-16 10:12 AM run n rate - 2015-06-16 11:29 AM I did for the last few years getting ready for Pendleton as it was 110 plus during the day or when I had a colt in for a friend and was headed to an Ed Wright clinic on him. I'm so not a morning person, I'm the kind that intentionally sets my clock 10-15 minutes fast and my alarm 15 minutes fast also and then hit the snooze button multiple times. I would get up at 4:45 and get 2 ridden before work, funny thing about 5 minutes into the first ride I'd be in a really good mood and it would normally last the rest of the day. I need to get back to doing that. I agree with the good mood.
And I hate mornings!
If I'm up before 530--I am AWAKE and alert. After 530...not so much. I'll have to start getting early soon. Lately I've been getting to the barn around 8, ride 9-11 and it tops out at 90 during the ride. Which isn't bad with a breeze. It's supposed to be 115 for the next 3 days....help me! |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11493
Location: 31 lengths farms | Yep, I have a hard time getting my butt up for the first 3 days but then when the feeling I get up to "ride" instead of go to work kicks in it makes it a lot easier, LOL!!! |
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| Yes and I am not a morning person. I have to be at work at 7:30 during the summer months so I get up at 5:00 to ride before it gets hot. It takes too long to cool down in the evening so I suck it up and get up early to ride before work but I only have one to keep in shape. I'll get up at 5:00 and be out and saddling by 5:15, ride for 45 minutes and then cool down, hose legs, and be in the shower and at work by 7:30. I only have a 15 minute commute though so that makes it handy for me. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 629
| I wish I could do this!
All of you that do -
Make sure that you appreciate that you get to work from home, or have a flexible schedule or something. I for one wish I did too!
Currently I have to be to work at 8, and have to leave by 7:15 to be on time. It would be so great if it wasn't so hot in the evening because I get off at 4, and could easily get everyone rode in the evenings! |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11493
Location: 31 lengths farms | I have to be to work at 7:30 am, luckily I work 10 minutes from home so being horseback by 5 am gives me enough time to get 2 ridden, feed and fake being cleaned up enough to be presentable for work....lots of buns and braids involved, LOL!!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
Location: Glendive Mt. | I love to ride early in the mornings, out here in Montana at about 6 am there are no bugs and it is actually cool out. Now to get myself awake to do it is a whole different thing. I know wasn't much help. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 825
| I've done it off an on over the years but I think with the last week and the next week or so being 95+ here in NC that I will do it more. I got up at 5:30 this morning and had 4 ridden by 8. Temp was 102 today so no way I would have ridden otherwise!
Its A LOT easier on the horses also!! |
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 Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | ugh, I wish... But there is no way I ould right now.... I get up at 5 to feed, go in get ready for work and have to leave at 5.30.... unfortunatly I have about a 50 min drive and i start at 6.30....
So if I would like to I would be riding in the dark.... But I try to on the weekends at least if I don't have a race.
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| Umm - NO - I already get up at 3:30 to get to work. Getting up any earlier is OUT of the question! |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
Location: NC | This sounds like a great idea wish I could do it. Its always hard to ride after work because my husband stays home with our toddler and by the time I get home he is ready to put me on baby duty and my little boy sticks to me like glue. So yeah riding while they are still asleep would be great, plus putting me in a better mood for work would be a plus. BUT I have to be at work by 7am and have about a 30-45 minute commute. I just don't know if I got it in me to wake up early enough....... But I may try cause riding in the evenings isn't working... :-/ |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Ok I think this whole early thing needs to become a reality. Yesterday, it was 108. I figured I would hang out after work, and go ride around 6/7. Well I ended up taking a nap, and didn't feel like going riding at that point. Not to mention, I work up at 830pm and it was still 104 out. I tried getting up early this morning, but I didn't get up early enough. The barn is 15 minutes away. Takes me about 10 to catch/groom/saddle. I typically like to ride off property so I'm gone about an hour. Getting there at 5 means I'm done riding and driving back at 630 but I still have to shower and drive 30 mins to work. Bah!! |
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 Veteran
Posts: 232
Location: Winging It in KY | Oh, I wish I could. Unfortunately, I already get up early, 5 AM. I usually do all my client website updates in the mornings before I go to work since my mind works best then. I have to be at work by 8AM so I have to leave the house by 7 AM. By the time I get done with a stressful day at work, drive home an hour and eat supper, I am ready to relax in the barn with my ponies. As long as they are good boys and no one feels the need to go against the grain during our rides, I find it is soothing to the brain after a long day. But, that's just me.  |
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Curve Ball
Posts: 2256
Location: Pelham, TN | We usually start about 5:30 and ride until about 10 AM before the heatwave of the day sets in!!! |
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I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | managed to put a ride together this AM. I decided to catch them by 630, The gnats are always thick here but when it's cool out they are much less aggressive (which I've usually never noticed considering I am on a mission to get them into the barn and eating.) He was great! and it's a good feeling knowing it's done and out of the way for the day. I feel a little more prepared for the day interestingly enough!
Unfortunately the dog was unhappy considering he had to stay inside while I rode since our DONKEY of a neighbor dog goes for a walk then. |
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Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
Location: NC | I thought about it this morning but at 4am it was still dark outside.... :-( |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 306
Location: Albany, Georgia | Well i had all intentions of riding this morning. I was just going to shoot for one horse to start with, but when you set your alarm for 5:30 PM intead of AM I was lucky to just make it to work on time!! Maybe tomorrow!! Its definitely something i want to start doing, even if its the horses that just need long trotting at least im getting something accomplished. Thanks everyone for your input!! |
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 Living within my means
Posts: 5128
Location: Randolph, Utah | I had intentions of getting up to ride before work but when the alarm went off at 415 I just couldn't drag myself out of bed. Maybe another day when I've got more than 4 hours of sleep.
Our heat isn't so bad it's the Mosquitos, they were terrible last night. I gave up after riding 1 horse. |
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Who rides early mornings before the heat sets in?