10 Equestrian New Year’s Resolutions You Can *Actually* Keep!
“New year, new me!”
-every influencer ever, 2022
*rolls eyes*… If you’re anything like me you’ll be fed up with hearing this all over Instagram, TikTok, or basically any other social media influencer platform known to man. Not only are phrases like “2023 will be MY year”, and an unrealistic list of resolutions that no one is going to be able to keep, a bit annoying, but they’re also really unhelpful!
If you’re of the horsey persuasion, then your new year’s resolutions might look a little different from other people’s glamorous lists. Scrolling through endless content looking for some new year’s resolution inspo can be draining and off-putting, particularly when you’re reading “get a manicure every month”, which would frankly be a miracle for those of us who chose the equestrian way of life.
To save you the hassle, here are 10 equestrian new year’s resolutions that are easy to start, and more importantly, easy to stick to. So, if “try a new chaff” sounds a little more your speed than “eat more vegetables”, keep reading and find out what you can add to your list to become that equestrian.
1. Clean out your tack box
There is no point denying it, none of us really know what’s lurking in the bottoms of our tack boxes or grooming kits. A magnet for dust, hair, and hay, this is the place where rogue plaiting bands come to die. When you’re in a hurry it’s so easy to throw your brushes back in and leave it for another day. But the longer you leave it, the worse it’s going to be. So, get your backside in gear and give your tack box a proper spruce up. I promise you will feel like the most accomplished and put-together equestrian on the planet once you’re finished. And you’ll probably find something you thought you lost which is always a bonus!
Make this a monthly to-do. Put it on your calendar (we’ll get to that shortly), make a reminder in your phone, whatever you need to do but make sure once a month you get right in there and give it a clean. The more often you do it, the less elbow grease you’ll need to break up the dust and other unspeakable things that collects in the crevices.
2. Create a detailed planner
If your goal was to get more organised, then join the club! With everything going digital now, download or create a detailed organiser for everything equestrian. Write down when the farrier is due, when the next batch of vaccinations are, competition dates, training sessions and what you’re doing… anything and everything you can think of. There are loads of platforms and packages that you can download and print out so you’ve got a copy at the yard and a copy on your phone at all times, so there’s no excuse! Update it regularly and you’ll be amazed at how much smoother everything flows.
3. Wear gloves
Guilty. This is my new year’s resolution too.
Wearing gloves might seem like a faff, but if you want to be one step closer to “get a manicure every month” then not having blistered and bleeding hands is a great way to start. Not only is it an aesthetic thing, but it’s also practical and SAFE. Gloves are meant to protect your hands when you’re riding, lunging, or even leading horses around. We’ve all heard the horror stories when something has gone awry, and someone’s hand has paid the painful price. Don’t let that be you in 2023 and remind yourself to put gloves on before you head out for a ride.
4. Volunteer at a local show
Looking for a way to give back to the sport? Why not put volunteering on your list of resolutions? Most events run off the kindness of volunteers as stewards, fence judges, and writers, so they’re always on the lookout for volunteers.
Handy hint… if you’re worried about getting balloted from an event, you bypass this if you also volunteer on another day the event runs!
5. Create a fitness plan for your horse (and you!)
I know I’m feeling a little heavier on my feet than I did before the obligatory Christmas feasting, who’s with me? With a little extra time off this month (thanks to the snow and ice halting play) a lot of horses are also going to be in need of a little boot camp in the new year. Horses need to be fit enough to sustain whatever it is you ask of them in order to work correctly and minimise the risk of injury. Devising a fitness plan for your horse to get them ready for upcoming competitions is a great way to motivate yourself to get them fit and track how they’re looking and feeling. There are a few apps you can download to log their progress or the trusty notes app on your phone works just as well. Fitness doesn’t have to involve incessant fast work either. Hacking, road work, interval training, and pole work are all a fundamental part of getting horses fit. Even exercises in walk can be hugely beneficial and reduces the wear and tear on their bodies too.
6. Try new exercises
Going hand in hand with resolution number 5, this is the year to test out some new exercises. There are TONNES of videos and guides out there on the internet just waiting for you to try. Some of the worlds best have started making videos documenting their training and exercises, like Piggy March and Lucinda Green, to name just a few of the eventing legends! If your goal for next year is to nail a square halt or get your horse taking you forward to fences, then no doubt there will be some fantastic exercises to try at home to help you on the journey. You’ll be giving the pros a run for their money in no time.
7. Start listening to an equestrian podcast
Yard jobs can get a bit tedious when you’re doing them day in and day out. Listening to one of the many fantastic equestrian podcasts can help pass the time and give you new insights into the wonderful world of horses. There are tonnes to choose from based on your discipline. If data is your thing, Equiratings will be the podcast for you, or if you’re a little nosey like me, there are tonnes of rider interviews to get stuck into. You’ll almost certainly pick up a few tips along the way that you can put into practice for resolution number 6.
8. Watch the warm-up
If you’ve headed out to a competition as a spectator, or are in between classes with your own horse, then take the time to watch the warm-up as well as the action. Always wondered how Pippa Funnel rides such an accurate test, or how Lottie Fry gets her horses suppled up to go in the ring? By watching their warm-up you can see first-hand the exercises they do to get their horses in tune with their game faces on. You’ll learn just as much, if not more, from this than watching the action unfold on the course or in the ring. So as much fun as it is to watch the thrills and spills go down, don’t neglect the warm-up ring.
9. Donate unused tack
Anyone else have a box of unused tack and stuff that goes unused, sitting there purposefully tripping you up? Yup, me too. 2023 is the time to finally go through it and sort it out. There are loads of equestrian charities and riding schools that are desperate for any tack and things they can get their hands on. Go through what you’ve got and instead of hoarding it away and falling over it for another year, take it to a local equestrian charity or riding school and I’m sure they’ll find a use for it. Not only does it free up some space on the yard but you’ll be doing a good deed and you’ll feel fantastic afterwards.
10. Challenge yourself
As much as we hate the saying, there’s no reason why 2023 can’t be your year! Want to step up a level in show jumping? Have a go at a harder dressage test? THIS IS YOUR YEAR! No more umming and ahhing, or waiting until it feels right, you’re more than capable so enter the class and start preparing. With your horse’s shiny new fitness plan and all the new exercises on your roster, you’ll no doubt be ready to take this year by storm! To really get yourself motivated, put the competition dates into your new equestrian planner (resolution number 2) so you can count down the days and make sure you’re doing everything you can to get ready. Have faith in yourself and your horse, you’ve got this.
I’d love to get some inspo from you guys, so send me a message over on social media and let me know what you’ve got in store for 2023. Alternatively, pop me an email to equinecopywriting@phoebekeogh.com. Make sure to keep me posted on your progress, I’d love to see it!
With love,
Px
P.S. If “improve my website copy” is on your list of equestrian new year’s resolutions, then great minds think alike. I’d be more than happy to take over the reins for you, so get in touch via email at equinecopywriting@phoebekeogh.com and we can arrange a consultation call, free of charge, to get to know your brand and design a plan that works perfectly for your business.