Is that True?
I have no time to ride—at least that’s what I tell myself. I go out morning and night to feed, clean, and fill hay nets and wonder why I keep doing this when I never ride. “Someday,” I tell myself. Now that I’m working full time in addition to keeping up with The Northwest Horse Source it’s been a challenge to find any horse time. Perhaps these are just excuses.
When I started the magazine, I still found time to ride. I got out in the horse community and took my horse to events and then wrote about the experience. Since moving to Colorado, I haven’t made the push to get connected here. Things have gotten more expensive, and I find myself unable to find the time to enjoy riding.
My new horse, Chip, has had very little saddle time (which he needs) and I miss my mare April, who died soon after our arrival in Colorado. I trusted her completely. But Chip lacks training and he’s spooky when I take him places (even around home). I’m sure he just needs more time.
I’m not as brave as I used to be. I don’t want to get hurt, and the potential medical bills are a worry. I wonder if I’m the only one who feels that way. I need a horse community like I had in Washington. I enjoyed trail rides, extreme trail, trail competitions, and sorting. I found time to ride because I enjoyed being around horse people.
Now I need to push through the fear and ride enough to earn Chip’s trust. It’s time to put aside the excuses and find just 15 minutes to work with him on something, even groundwork.
April was an exceptional horse, and it’s not fair to keep comparing Chip to her. I had her since she was a yearling, and Chip is a senior horse who’s had many experiences unknown to me. I had a local trainer get on him and evaluate him for me. His comment was, “He doesn’t know much; he just needs miles.” I’d hauled him to an arena he’d never been in. While he was spooky at all the arena signs and banners, he was manageable and not worried about the horses moving around him in the arena.
So, no more excuses! I need some horse time. Life is short and the older I get the faster it goes. Let me know your thoughts on the subject. Send an email to [email protected]. I’d love to connect with you and have a conversation.
“Don’t give up; the beginning is always the hardest.” – Unknown
No Time to Ride – Part 2
See this article in the September 2025 Online Digital Edition:
September 2025
Owner / Publisher | Canfield Certified Trainer
Karen Pickering is a lifelong horsewoman and the founder of The Northwest Horse Source, which began in 1995 as a small equine newsletter and grew into a respected industry publication. With more than 30 years of experience serving the horse community, Karen now focuses on helping equine businesses and organizations build visibility, credibility, and lasting relationships through online marketing, digital promotion, and educational platforms.
As a Canfield Certified Trainer, she blends proven success principles with real-world industry experience, supporting both businesses and individuals navigating change in today’s digital landscape. Karen remains deeply connected to the horse industry and is passionate about serving the community she has helped build for over three decades.
