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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 324
| I've lost my motivation to ride. I love it but I've lost the motivation and gotten lazy and I am willing to take any advice to help get out of my slump. Thank you in advance! |
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  Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
   
Location: Displaced Iowegian | You know....I don't really feel that it is a BAD thing to take time off from riding.....our bodies/minds and our horse's bodies and minds NEED a break once in awhile! |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
Go like my Facebook page... "Barrel Racing Clinics by Joy Cameron"... Read the latest post and see if it helps, lol.
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 Member
Posts: 13
| Dealing with the same thing, prayers and love sent your way. 
Do you have anyone to help with feeding? That has helped me a lot in the past when I've got into "slumps." Not even to really do it for you.. just for someone to be with you and keep you company. I think everyone has a hard time when it comes to this time of year. Another thing I may suggest that has helped me before is to actually visit a psychologist and tell them about your lack of motivation and they'll prescribe you with something to give you a little pep.. it may or may not help.. but it doesn't hurt to try. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 324
| I get my boyfriend to help me feed. I don't have a problem with feeding (I actually enjoy it) but it's riding. I don't have a problem getting motivated to ride when I'm training one but both my horses are finished or close so I don't have anything to do with them besides arena activities and long trot (which is one of my least favorite activities lol) |
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Member
Posts: 42
Location: SE Oklahoma | Do some different drills. Work on something challenging. Go track cattle or ride in the pasture. It's not all made in the arena...get out and enjoy! |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | I agree that breaks sometimes are good, especially if you've hauled a lot or put a lot of pressure on yourself. There's no time limits on breaks.
I think getting enough sleep and good nutrition help tremendously as well. If you're tired, you don't feel like doing much at all.
Another thing is take a hard look at why you wanted to ride and race in the first place. Are they valid reasons? Then take a hard look at why you don't feel like you want to now. Is it a valid reason? |
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 Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | This always helps me.....I say it in my head over and over again lol.
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I always lose my motivation to ride this time of year beginning with the time change. Its OK to take a break from it if that's what you need :) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| Try a different discipline for a while, or maybe get with a group and go on a trail ride. |
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 Loves to compete
Posts: 5760
Location: Oakdale, CA | set goals for you and your horses!
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| Try getting together with a group of friends and riding. We normally do this in the winters. We go to a local indoor arena on Sundays and we work on different drills and slow work and just have fun. We do a lot of talking and laughing but that's what makes it fun! |
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Regular
Posts: 99
| Put your favorite music on and dance. While you're doing this think about the music you love to run barrels to, or warm up to.  Mentally see yourself running barrels and loving it. Feel the wind in your hair and your legs around your horse. LOVE IT! |
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Veteran
Posts: 147
| Motivation comes from within you either have it or you don't. |
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Expert
Posts: 1226
| Riding with friends is always fun. Or maybe take lessons to challenge yourself. |
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 I am Woman hear me Roar
Posts: 3395
Location: Choctaw, Oklahoma | Do you have a buddy near you that can help or ride with you? I'm on the gimp roster, so my break from riding is non negotiable, sadly. So I'm just enjoying brushing n talking to my boys. Sometimes it's ok to take a break. But if depression is the culprit, let a friend know you need help |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 528
Location: Its Freaking Freezing Up Here... | Read "Mind Gym" by Gary Mack. May relight your fire :) |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| Winter is always really hard for me too. Mix up your daily routine if you can, new drills, etc...Ride with friends or listen to your Ipod while long trotting your horse; makes the time go faster. Go to local play days or jackpots if they are offered. Keep up with your favorite barrel racers on social media; they always post good motivational stuff. Finally, think about warm weather and how you want to be ready for summer shows and rodeos! Do work now and it'll pay off later! |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | I've been in a 2 year slump. Every time I drag my horses to a race I've been doing really well but even that doesn't help. Like I won my first barrel race, I have been constantly clocking, and I have two really respectable horses that I get lots of compliments on both of them when I'm at a race. You'd think that would gather up any motivation if I was going to have any.
To be quite honest, I'm invested to going to a clinic this spring so I started getting them in shape last night. Rode one horse last night, this morning I rode both. I've set a schedule for myself on what days each week and what time I will ride. We'll see if this gets the fire going.
I too have to feed them twice a day and all that, and I enjoy that part most of the time. But most days the thought of even touching my saddle makes me sick so I've been a fair weather rider lately. Maybe this time will be different. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | LRQHS - 2014-12-29 6:43 AM This always helps me.....I say it in my head over and over again lol.
LMAO |
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