Riding Against The Grain

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 resembles a productive ride.

They don’t tell you that your horse will have off days, too.

That your schedules won’t always align. That sometimes the weather, the footing, the tension in your own body will rewrite the plan.

What they really don’t tell you is that building a riding routine is far less about performance — and far more about partnership.

Over time, I’ve learned that a routine isn’t about forcing the same ride every time.

It’s about developing trust — not just in your horse, but in yourself.

It’s brushing instead of riding when the energy feels off.

It’s choosing a long walk over a lesson when your body says it’s tired.

It’s knowing the difference between avoiding growth and honoring where you are.

Consistency doesn’t mean rigidity.

It means presence.

It means asking, “What do we need today?” and being honest enough to listen.

I used to think a good riding routine was measured by minutes in the saddle and boxes checked.

Now I know better.

A good riding routine holds space for real life — the kind that doesn’t always come with perfect timing or clean breeches or clear answers.

It’s the kind of routine that sees the long game. That trusts the process. That knows connection is the thing that keeps you coming back.

Because at the end of the day, we’re not training machines.

We’re building relationships.

And that takes time, patience, softness, and sometimes a willingness to rewrite the script.

So if your routine looks different this week — if it’s quieter, slower, or smaller — that doesn’t mean you’re off track.

It means you’re paying attention.

And that might be the most important part of all.