#compassionate training

[ridingagainstthegrain]

What They Don’t Tell You About Building a Riding Routine

We’re told that consistency is everything. That the key to becoming a better rider is to build a routine — ride often, stay disciplined, show up no matter what. But what they don’t tell you is how often life won’t make that easy. They don’t tell you how many times you’ll arrive at the barn completely drained — physically, emotionally, mentally — and still try to piece together something that…

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[ridingagainstthegrain]

Always Pet Your Horse

Every time I’m with my horses, I pet them. It doesn’t matter if we’re riding, grooming, or just walking past each other in the barn—I always take a moment to reach out. A soft hand on their neck. Fingers through their forelock. A quiet rub on their shoulder before I leave. It’s not a big thing. They probably don’t think twice about it. But I do. Because that small moment reminds me why I’m…

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[ridingagainstthegrain]

Oberon’s Best Moment (and Maybe Mine Too)

Some rides are about progress. Others are about partnership. And sometimes—when you’re really lucky—they’re about both. This week’s lesson with Oberon gave me one of those rare, grounding moments where everything just clicked. We were working through technical equitation courses—the kind that force you to think three steps ahead, stay soft in the saddle, and communicate clearly every stride. But…

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[ridingagainstthegrain]

5 Ways to Keep Riding When You’re Burn Out (Without Burning Your Horse Out Too)

Burnout doesn’t always look like giving up. Sometimes it looks like tacking up out of habit. Sometimes it’s pushing through rides that feel flat, even though you love your horse more than anything. Sometimes it’s smiling at the barn and saying you’re “fine” when you’re quietly questioning if you’ve lost something along the way. I’ve been there—and maybe you have too. Here’s the thing: you’re…

5 Ways to Keep Riding When You’re Burn Out (Without Burning Your Horse Out Too)