Equestrian Life Magazine February 2018 Edition

3
LOOK AT YOUR DIET
We spend a fortune on
assessing our horses diet,
and providing them with top of
the range feed and supplements
– then often neglect ourselves.
It will help maintain energy
levels, and improve mood to eat
well. Try to plan ahead and have
healthy snacks. I also take B
vitamins this time of year to help
energy levels. Hydration is very
important too. When it’s cold
we tend to go for hot drinks, but
these are often highly caffeinated,
so actually dehydrate you. Try to
keep drinking water or low sugar
squash to stay hydrated.
4
GET TRAINING
Plan in some clinics to get you back in
the habit of going out and about. There
are some great indoor and outdoor clinics
around, and these often get booked up quickly
so keep your ear to the ground to see what’s
on. If you have a regular trainer – get some
sessions in the diary. These give you things
to work towards, and more importantly
homework so you feel like you have a
purpose and goal when you are
working your horses.
5
STAY WARM
Cold is very energy sapping, so make sure that you
dress well. Good quality thermals, hats, gloves,
neck warmers all help you to not get stiff and cold.
You can now get amazing heated waistcoats that are
a godsend when teaching. The new waterproof fleece
lined breeches are amazing – goodbye chilblains! Try to
always have lots of extra waterproofs, in every car, lorry
and at the yard (my excuse for so many coats) as getting
soaked will only lead to you becoming more prone to
illness.
Hopefully by following these common-sense ideas, your
transition from the depths of winter, to your equine
summer playground will be seamless, and you also might
develop some good habits along the way!!
6
GET FIT!
We all make great new year’s
resolutions, but if they make it past the
middle of January you’ve done well!! Make
it this year’s goal to try to get and keep fit. It
will not only help your riding, but also your
horse’s soundness and yours!! If you can’t
bear the thought of going to the gym, just try
to up your speed walking about to do your
horse! Think about all the course walking you
will have to do when the season starts! Less
achy legs, and also being able to fit into your
competition gear! When hacking out, go into
the two-point seat when trotting – build up
the strength in your thighs and this also help
secure your lower leg position and improves
balance (especially when they shy!)
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