There’s an abundance of excuses we can use for not riding our horse or pony from one week to the next. Time through the winter months can be a genuine one, another includes having no energy, or excessively wet weather hinders you leaping into the saddle if you lack an indoor school. Some of the excuses below are classed as perfectly reasonable, but when used as often as five to seven days a week, someone may cotton on. So not to blow you out of the water here, but take a look at our suggestions below to feel if you’ve fallen victim to the blaming game.

Are you guilty of any of the below?

1. It’s too hot/cold/wet/windy
2. He looks lame
3. I rode him yesterday
4. I don’t think the saddle fits
5. He’s got a loose shoe
6. I’m so tired, I just have no energy
7. I’ve got a sore ankle/foot/wrist
8. The school needs harrowing
9. He’s on a day off
10. I’m running late
11. He’s semi retired (horses current age 5)
12. It looks like it’s going to rain
13. I need to mow the lawn
14. I’ve left my hat at home
15. I wormed him yesterday, best give him a few days off
16. He was shod last week
17. He looks upset
18. The menage is in use right now
19. He doesn’t look quite right
20. I’ve lost my car keys….(possibly the worst one EVER)

One of our readers said “some of these sound familiar but they’ve missed…..

“shall we just have a quick cup of coffee!” ?

With thanks to Alison Grey

So if you’re guilty ‘throw your hands in the air like you just don’t care’ and say ‘yep that’s me’ (there’s been a few hands here already!)

More tips coming soon on how to motivate yourself to ride, that we may not get to write as we’ll be mowing the lawn …