If you decide to take a break from riding… the sun will still come up the next day.
Since I was 12 years old, I rode at least 3 times a week. When I started driving, I rode 5 - 6 days a week. When I was in my early 20’s, I started student teaching as an elementary teacher and also went through a big life change. It really was the most adult time in my life thus far. It was also the first time I took a month break from riding. Honestly, it shocked me how much time the barn and riding absorbed. Someone told me, “if you don’t make it out to the barn, guess what, the world will keep spinning.” That sounds like “no duh,” but the fact that the world kept spinning and the sun still came up the next day (and the next day), blew my mind.
I have gone through many other adulting experiences: being an elementary teacher, moving to different states multiple times, family illness, a rough pregnancy, a colicky baby, back problems, and being a mother (You can read more about coping with “Mom Fear). These experiences have caused me to take breaks from riding. Adulting can be tough, but adulting with horses can be REALLY tough. Each time I took a break from riding I felt guilty, but each time I felt a little less guilty. I haven’t been riding consistently for about 2 ½ years. However, I have had many other experiences with friends and family that I might not have had without those breaks.
These days I ride about 2 – 3 times a week. I have a toddler and am a stay at home/work from home mom. I’m thankful for the time I do get to spend in the saddle. I realize that someday my child will be grown, and I’ll have more time to ride. For now, I enjoy raising my handful of a child. Yes, my riding isn’t what it used to be. Yes, I haven’t accomplished many riding goals in the past 10 years. But guess what… the sun still comes up each day.
My main message is: Don’t be afraid to take a break. Life has many phases and maybe horses aren’t a top priority during this phase in your life. And if you do decide to take a break, guess what? The sun will still come up the next day!