FTC Disclosure: As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Build a Solid Barn Routine
One thing that’s always constant is the barn. The barn is always there. Good day, bad day, the horses are still there, and chances are they had a lot better day than you did. Maybe you had a lot of meetings, a test at school, or maybe you had a rough go with a friend. Your horse hung out with his best buddies in the pasture, didn’t deal with drama, and ate hay all day. Leverage that and let the horses cheer you up. When everything else feels loud, the barn is quiet—if you let it be.
Building a barn routine will help you stay grounded. Why? Because having a routine every time you go to the barn will help you relax and know that everything is taken care of properly. It will also help you to notice the small things- your horse’s weight drop, a swollen leg, or a simple scratch. Here are a few ways to build a barn routine that keeps you grounded in what matters most – your love for the horse and the intentional time you spend together.
1. Start With a Centering Arrival Ritual
Leave school, work, or any sort of stress at the gate!
Your horse knows if you are stressed or not, regardless of how you try to hide it. Horses can detect your heartbeat from four feet away. If your heart is beating faster than it should be because you can’t stop thinking about that test you failed or that business deal you’re hoping to secure, your horse is going to notice!
These NeeDoh Cubes are my newest favorite discovery! Take a few minutes to squish all your stress away and get to riding!
Center your focus on why you are here! Why do you choose to come to the barn? What are you hoping to accomplish at the barn today? How can you be intentional at the barn?
Take a moment to breathe, focus on your intentions, and lighten up! You’re at the barn, after all!
“What a blessing it is that I get to ride these beautiful, smart creatures!” As a Christian, I like to thank my Father in heaven for the opportunity to train with creatures that He created so uniquely for us to enjoy.
2. Create a Consistent Order of Tasks
A predictable flow reduces stress and makes the barn feel like a sanctuary. Here are some examples, depending on what your barn responsibilities are:
Greet your horse → check for cuts, abnormal behavior, etc. → check water → check hay → check stall. For the barn owner or employee reading this, this is your routine for many horses. Perhaps you want to start on one side of the barn and make a circle, so you don’t miss anyone.
For my Type A people, check out these note pads that you can customize color and your name/barn name:
Or: Groom → ride → cool down → tidy tack
Maybe you’re in a training program where your trainer starts your horse before you get on—you still want to be a good horse owner, so make sure to notice your horse’s behavior, even if you’re not the primary rider/caretaker.
The Goal: a rhythm that feels like muscle memory. A routine where you make sure to notice the normal, so the abnormal sticks out like a sore thumb.
3. Build a Grooming Ritual that Slows You Down
Soft brushes, even motions. Start a habit of brushing your horse and making timely, even motions. There are lots of studies that prove even grooming motions create greater comfort and relaxation. This is something new to me, but I’m eager to start soon. Just like your breathing patterns, this is something that will keep you grounded, focused, and relaxed at the barn.
Notice your horse’s body language. Is your horse typically anxious in the crossties? Or does he stand there with his back left propped up? How does his back feel? Does he get annoyed or nervous with certain horses?
This is where connection deepens. The time spent on the ground is often more useful in creating a relationship with your horse than the time spent in the saddle! Treat your horse! He’ll love you even MORE when you feed him treats. These are my horse’s new favorite.
4. Build a Routine That Honors Your Horse’s Needs
Warm-up and cool-down rituals– are important! For those with an older horse, you may need to build in more time for walking before and after your ride. For those with a naturally tense horse like me, you may need to build in a substantial amount of time on the ground and on the lunge line.
Example of a working day with my horse: 10 minutes of endo-tapping exercises on the ground (configuring the legs, shoulders, haunches), 5 minutes of leg yields on the ground, 30 minutes of lunge work, and finish with 5 minutes of tapping exercises and lots of pets
Be sure to check legs, hooves, and hydration. What’s normal for your horse? Do you notice any thrush in the hooves? Does your horse have all four shoes? Does your horse look hydrated and healthy?
Horses thrive on predictability – and so do we. A good routine is going to help you exponentially in the long run! You can advocate for your horse to your vet, farrier, bodyworker, or whoever else might work with your horse. And your horse appreciates it! Look, you’re already a better horse owner. Nothing frustrates me more than getting stumped by my vet or farrier because I haven’t been observant enough to know the answer!
5. End With a Closing Ritual
Put everything back intentionally. Go look at my post “The Rider’s Guide to Creating a Calm, Organized Tack Room” to get some ideas for organizing your tack room and some helpful products to go along with it.
One last pat or treat with your horse. As I mentioned earlier, my horse’s new favorite treats are the German Horse Muffins. I make sure to always give him a treat before I leave, to both show my appreciation to him and, selfishly, to be his favorite person. Our horses do so much for us, so it’s imperative to give it back to them.
A moment of gratitude before leaving. Not everyone gets to do what we do! Horses are incredible creatures, and our partnerships should be the center of what we do. Remember why you do what you do: for the love of the horse.
Let Your Routine Reflect Your Season of Life
Busy weeks = shorter, gentler routines. Have a busy week at work, school, with your kids, or other commitments? Don’t stress yourself out! As I said earlier, horses can sense your heartbeat. If you’re stressed, you will affect them. Take it easy and let your barn routines support you.
Your routine should support you, not drain you. Horses are something you love. Don’t hyperextend yourself beyond what you can bear. They’re rooting for you. Think about your typical barn visit. Maybe you already have the perfect routine that works best for you, or maybe you have taken away some new tactics from this article. Make the most of your time at the barn, don’t stress during the busy seasons, and never forget to count your blessings.