Rejuvenation!!!

  Every one needs some time to rest and prepare for the busy times of year when we and our horses need to be our best. Done well this can be a magical time of discovery, enrichment and wonderful connections! I am going to divide this since many of our readers are not equestrians.(people first-horse stuff second)
 In today's hectic society all of us have times of the year were we are under greater pressure to perform at our highest level, no matter what roles we play work-spouse-parent-friend-philanthropic ex. To be prepared for this we need to also have some "me time" were we take care of ourselves. Use this time is a positive way, such has making a simple yearly plan to improve your self. A vacation is usually part of this time. It should be some were you find you can be rejuvenated. I like to use this time to reconnect with people, let my body have an easier time physically, and think about were I am headed for the next year.
When it comes to spending time with people try and pick the ones you always wish you had more time with! Who make you happy and you make happy. For me that would be my Wife and kids.
 Physically I cut back to walking and yoga or stretching. It is important to stay eating healthy , but one day a week for 3 weeks I let myself eat almost what ever I want(in moderation).
 To make a plan I try and get a focus by listing all the things that are important to me. Then I rank them as best I can and combine or eliminate them until I feel I am down to a reasonable number.For most of us this is between 3-7. Consider what you want to accomplish in each area and make a manageable plan to work on each one a little each day. It could be taking 5 minutes  to really listen to someone close to you to improve your relationship, sticking to a work out program, or being more responsible with your finances the possibilities are endless. I find you know yourself better, so go with what feel right. It is important to try and find the positive in everything and focus on solutions or finding them instead of problems. Remember if you are more positive, healthier, and happier you will have more to offer everyone!.
* The Equestrian part !
  Your equine partner needs down time too, proper condition and a plan to peak at just the right moment. This is harder these days especially in the hunter jumper world and any discipline were they are always chasing points, which encourages pushing our equine partners too the max!( I would like to see that change, but that is its own topic)
 I believe you should be able to find a minimum of  one/three weeks were your horse does not get ridden at all. Some horses can live out in a big pasture with buddies and a run in shed, but others need to be kept in and have either limited individual turn out and or lots of hand walking and grazing if possible. This gives your horse time to heal and renew itself both physically and mentally.
This should be fallowed well formed "legging up" or conditioning period. That starts off with forward walking only; outside on good footing hacking up and down mild hills if possible-even in an indoor arena if not. I do not recommend lounging any horse that has had a year under saddle at this point before you get on, instead hand walk it as long as it tales to get it relaxed. After 3 days of walking I would add short periods of rising trot,each day increasing the duration a few minutes. Again only straight lines and no circles smaller than 20 meters for now. The second week I might add short periods of cater, only a minute at first then adding a minute a day as long as things are going well until you are working on both reins for 5-7 minutes. The fourth week I might add one day of ring work, say a light gymnastic exercise for a jumping horse or a day schooling a few movements on a dressage horse. Each week there after I would add a day of ring work until I was up to that horses normal amount. I like to work four or five days  in the ring, then one or two days hacking out. Then at least one day off if not two. If you create your own system like this I believe you will have less injuries and a better partnership with your horse.
* I use this time to work on 3 very import things too.
*1, I focus on teaching my horses to seek the bit in a soft-reaching  and a relaxed chewing way. So I am sure they can be ridden in any frame I choose and their mussels are working to there best advantage, relaxed and engaged. Haven't you ever seen some one( for me this was Captain Mark Phillips Teaching our 3 day team at Morven Park years ago) get on someone elses horse and in a few minutes it back looks more relaxed, its tail is down and softly swaying in the rythem, its neck is an inch longer and it looks like the horse loves the bit. His mouth is all foamy while it gently chews it!
* 2, I try and make sure we have clear light but connected lines of communication. like a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers or a couple who can dance as if they are one, perfect rhythm, graceful athletes moving in harmony!!
*3, Lastly it is bonding time! Using lots of positive reinforcement. This is usually softening (not dropping the connection or giving lots of treats) at the right moment, praising with my voice, stopping the work and giving the horse a pat and a little time on a loose reign., spending extra time grooming and just getting to know the horse.
 I am a qualified horse professional so I can give this advise, but I do believe every one needs some impute and should get help. Why else would we have Olympic coaches? So I hope I have helped you in some small way!
Sincerely, John