5 Tips to survive the Corona crisis
We knew that it was coming. The Dutch horse sport association (KNHS) decided in after the advice from the NOC*NSF to cancel all the sport competitions until the start of April. Also all the sport accommodations need to be closed. A tough decision, but we have to make the best of it. That why I give you 5 tips to survive this period.
Tip 1: Training
Use the time you get to work on the bottleneck you got. The next few weeks there won’t be any competitions, so you’ve got the time to try something completely new. Do you have any difficulties with the counter-canter? Or are the small fences in the Eventing a problem? Practice makes perfect and this is the right moment to practice without (competition) pressure. Take you advantage of this.
Tip 2: Make some new goals
Usually we make some goals on the short terms. And to reach that goals we plan our competitions and lessons. But this is the time to think about what we really want to reach? Where do you want to be in 5 years? Do you want to ride national competitions, or do your ambitions go for the higher classes? Think about what you need to reach your 5 year goal. Think, make a plan and go for it!
Top 3: Clean the tack room
Brushes, saddlepads, blankets. Most of the time they are everywhere at the stable and they could use a good clean. Time to clean and tidy it. You can use some storage boxes to keep your blankets clean and safe. Clean your saddle, bridle and your own boots and use some grease to keep the leather in good shape. This way you are totally ready when the competitions will start again.
Tip 4: Sell
And if you already cleaned your tack room, it is also a good idea to sell all your stuff that you don’t use. Because no… you don’t use 20 saddlepads, and the halter that was in your tack room for 6 years,.. you also won’t use it now. So clean it, take some good pictures, and put it on Facebook or some other site to sell it. This way you will also earn some money in this tough time. An please, only send packages, don’t let people pick it up at your house. This way you won’t infect others, and they won’t infect you.
Tip 5 : Holiday
Don’t forget to give yourself and your horse some rest. Every week, every day we are busy. We go to a lesson, a competition, muck out the stables and pick up some horsefood. This is the moment to take some rest. Put your horse in the fields, and enjoy your brake. You only need to feed and to muck out. You have time enough to get ready for the competitions when the will start again.
But try to get as less as possible in contact with other people. I want to wish you all very much luck in this hard time. Keep happy and healthy!
Tip 1: Training
Use the time you get to work on the bottleneck you got. The next few weeks there won’t be any competitions, so you’ve got the time to try something completely new. Do you have any difficulties with the counter-canter? Or are the small fences in the Eventing a problem? Practice makes perfect and this is the right moment to practice without (competition) pressure. Take you advantage of this.
Tip 2: Make some new goals
Usually we make some goals on the short terms. And to reach that goals we plan our competitions and lessons. But this is the time to think about what we really want to reach? Where do you want to be in 5 years? Do you want to ride national competitions, or do your ambitions go for the higher classes? Think about what you need to reach your 5 year goal. Think, make a plan and go for it!
Top 3: Clean the tack room
Brushes, saddlepads, blankets. Most of the time they are everywhere at the stable and they could use a good clean. Time to clean and tidy it. You can use some storage boxes to keep your blankets clean and safe. Clean your saddle, bridle and your own boots and use some grease to keep the leather in good shape. This way you are totally ready when the competitions will start again.
Tip 4: Sell
And if you already cleaned your tack room, it is also a good idea to sell all your stuff that you don’t use. Because no… you don’t use 20 saddlepads, and the halter that was in your tack room for 6 years,.. you also won’t use it now. So clean it, take some good pictures, and put it on Facebook or some other site to sell it. This way you will also earn some money in this tough time. An please, only send packages, don’t let people pick it up at your house. This way you won’t infect others, and they won’t infect you.
Tip 5 : Holiday
Don’t forget to give yourself and your horse some rest. Every week, every day we are busy. We go to a lesson, a competition, muck out the stables and pick up some horsefood. This is the moment to take some rest. Put your horse in the fields, and enjoy your brake. You only need to feed and to muck out. You have time enough to get ready for the competitions when the will start again.
But try to get as less as possible in contact with other people. I want to wish you all very much luck in this hard time. Keep happy and healthy!