21/01/2026
❄️It’s the dead of winter.❄️
Personally, my favourite time of your for contemplation and the sparking of new ideas but I know for many, it tends to be a very tricky time. Cold and dark mornings when you want to get up and ride. No one is in shape after the holidays. But you know spring is around the corner and that weird panic sets in of not being ready for your horse when the “riding season kicks in”. So where do we start and gain the momentum to get where we are going?
The key to finding momentum is simply to get moving. Make an attempt to begin! A quote from John Cage serves as a reminder to “Begin Anywhere.”
Newton’s Law of Inertia is a great example of this concept. A moving object will gain momentum as it is propelled forward, and the more it moves, the more quickly it progresses. If it slows or stops for too long, it has to begin the process again to gain momentum.
It’s ok to start simple. Make an achievable goal. Whether it’s practicing on a musical instrument, learning to knit, or performing an exercise with your horse, your creative journey starts with one step in the right direction.
Depending on your scenario, you can start with a short session once a day or several small increments within a day. Small steps help start to build momentum and a desire to work longer with more diligence toward your goals. For example, start with 10 minutes once a day or 5 minutes three times a day. Try this for five days and then see if you are motivated to do 15 minutes a day and so on.
So what do you start with? It’s best to choose something simple and achievable for you and your horse. When you are feeling in a rut or uninspired, setting you and your horse up for success is key. Practice a transition or a simple pattern. When you achieve something good, even if it happens after a few minutes of attempting, take a break and acknowledge this “tiny victory.” Maybe that’s where you end for the day—or maybe you move on to a different task.
Often, the need to keep pushing forward is rooted in an inability to acknowledge when something goes well. This can result in a rider pushing themselves and their horse to a point of exhaustion and frustration. Perhaps there was a moment 5 minutes prior when things were going quite well and that moment was dismissed. Acknowledging small achievements, practicing things that are satisfying, and enjoying small victories are important. -Excerpt from Resonant Riding Handbook II
