So much to do, so little time!

[Dark Storm]

Each year seems to get worse.. I struggle to split my time between horses and work:( I mean if I stopped being a bed lover (I really like my sleep:rolleyes:) I could be out riding as the sun's just come up, but no.. I'm fast asleep in the land of nod!
And even when I get down to the yard, I feel I'm on borrowed time (when I'm on 2-10 shift)
Any one else have this problem:D?

[laceyfreckle]

ME! In the winter I feel guilty!

I have to do the horses in daylight which means i worry about them eating into the time I have with my children, so I try to go when the two eldest are at school in the afternoon and before they get up in the morning (still three at home all day, two of which disabled) and not to spend too much time up there with the others.....

But then I feel bad because my sharer can't ride much weekdays due to it being dark when she gets there and I can't ride when I have my children with me...lunging = eating more into kids time....but then when I have my lesson on a friday and when i ride on the sunday I feel like I haven't done enough to improve my horse during the week!

Just not enough hours in the day.............and I've given up on housework, and sleeping.

[Mimi + Me]

I'm another one who likes their sleep a bit too much :p:p I can snooze for England :o

Nothing wrong with that I suppose, but when I do eventually get my *ss out of bed, I feel quite guilty about what I could have achieved if I'd got up earlier. And I thought that when you get older you're meant to need less sleep??

But if you don't finish work till 10 p.m. then I guess you don't get to bed until late. Don't worry, as long as what needs to get done gets done horsewise.

It really doesn't help when the daylight hours are as short as they are (and due to get even shorter :(:()

[shockblue]

look up! Winter solstice is on the 21st December. It will start to get light again then!

[mlp2]

I know how you feel, I work 8-5 weekdays and always feel like i am chasing round but not really acheiving all I want.
It doesn't help at the moment that the only time we seem to have any good weather is when I'm stuck at work, and when i do have time to ride etc it's either raining or just rained and he's out with no rug on.:mad:
Can't wait for spring again and being able to see my pony in daylight more than twice a week...

[diamonddogs]

I feel like I'm just keeping on top of things, and no more. I brought Kels in on Sunday night and I'm trying to establish a routine, and so far I'm managing to stick to it by doing as much as possible while there's still daylight.

I've managed to leave home half an hour earlier than normal, and I feed while I rug, then I put her in the school with the field gate open, as her fieldmate's owner gets to the yard later than me, and she frets if she's out on her own for too long. Then I skip out and push the bed back, fill her water bucket and nets, and that leaves me with time for a coffee and a chat over the gate while I drink it. Then I go to work.

Then all I have to do when I return at teatime is put her bed back, fetch her in and unrug her, then give her her tea.

Hopefully this routine will be well established by the time it's dark in the mornings.

I haven't even thought about how/when I'm going to ride!

[cinammontoast]

I sympathise! It feels as though it's really late because of the early dark evenings. Can you get some help if you're finding it hard? That might give you more time to play with your horse or ride etc and get someone to do the chores, maybe?

[lynnemh]

me too, especailly this year, as selfemployed, i have to race around in different directions and often forget where i'm going, so have to look at the roadside for familiar sights, so i can figure it out! if im at home i feel guilty because i'm not working, or out with horses, or walking the dog, etc. and if i'm doing any of the others, then i'm feeling guilty about not doing the rest of the list, and i'm starting to feel guilty about the amount of time i spend on the computer too, even though i know, to save time and deisel, its more effective to do my jobs on a circuitous route, so dont need to leave the house yet.

[Skippys Mum]

I usually call it quits with riding mid november. Arnie gets a few weeks off till the start of January. I am approaching my busiest time of year and I just cant fit it all in. He doesnt behave very well if he is only ridden once a week so its easier on both of us if he gets his holidays and we can restart later on.

I am fine for the mucking out etc, its just riding I cant seem to fit in. I have to confess I have a lit school but he is very very spooky in it even in daylight and it doesnt drain very well so I tend not to use it at night.

[lynnemh]

i always keep on til somewhen in january, and then give up til march or even april, and just concentrate on the general maitainance and catching up on things. they tend to get more fuss and grooming during these monthes, and i think we all like the slightly more laidback lifestyle.

[Claire1605]

I am at home all day with mine, and we have our own business, but I have to work all day so, still cannot ride in the day even though they are only a few metres away from me. I just pop over to give hay, and if they are in to skip out.

Also, having 2 children makes things a bit trickier.

I don't have problem getting up in the mornings, am up at 6am sharpish every day, I hate lay-ins.

My only problem is that I ride at 6am in the summer but have no menage lights yet so is rather a problem in the winter months. Although OH promises me he will put some up in the very near future.

With lights I could happily ride morning or evening in the winter which is the only time I can ride in the winter months during the week.

So in winter weekends are mainly only time they get exercised, which is not good with a hot headed trakehner.

Better make sure those lights are on my christmas list :D

[Trewsers]

Well at the risk of sounding smug, I no longer worry / struggle splitting my time. I don't have kids, but I am self-employed and do have responsibilities / work committments. However, after the most harrowing, crappy, whatever you want to call it basically year health wise last year for OH, I REFUSE to worry anymore about fitting it all in and just take it as it comes. By that, I mean that although I am lucky to have enough time for the horses, I put them and their needs / happiness first. We only get one life and all that and I intend to make the most of it. OH feels the same and he now relaxes more (which is a first as he used to be a total work stress head) and enjoys his time with his horse.
Appreciate it must be difficult for those of you out there with lots of pressure from non horsey partners and kids etc, but on the whole I'd advise you to make "me" time for yourself and your horses. Even if it means pushing some things (housework etc) to the bottom of the list!).

And for those of you that struggle getting out of bed and need their sleep, well, I used to be like that but after getting up a couple of hours earlier a few times and seeing the beautiful sunrises and the loveliest part of the day, I can honestly say its all worth it - I've traded snoozes for early morning rides and I won't go back to duvet hugging......lol.....

[Trewsers]

Just a thought for those of you that struggle getting up and like their zzzz - have you tried power napping during the day?! On my day off or weekends I sometimes have a power nap during the day and it does me the world of good! Just say for an hour, two hours tops - it really refreshes me. I just hop onto the bed in my riding gear (yuk, but so convenient and lazy!!!) and put my spare quilt on top. Very novel - and I nod off in no time...hehehehehehhe.

[Mimi + Me]

I don't have problem getting up in the mornings, am up at 6am sharpish every day, I hate lay-ins.

That's mad!!! How can you be so enthusiastic to start each day, I want to put it off for as long as I can ....... :o:D

[Claire1605]

That's mad!!! How can you be so enthusiastic to start each day, I want to put it off for as long as I can ....... :o:D

Love early nights hate lying-in.

OH is the opposite :D