Its easy to slip into a routine of not riding your horse hacking included very much at this time of year. Its cold, wet, and the days are short sometimes sitting in front of the fire with Your Horse magazine seems far more tempting!But were huge advocates of hacking a horse and all the benefits it offers both you and your horse thats why we have thousands of brilliant riders signed up to our challenge to #Hack1000Miles including in winter.We understand that its hard to get out when motivation is low though, and so we asked some of our #Hack1000Miles challengers how they make it happen1 Youll feel happierSuzy Ayshford knows all too well how important it is to get out into the fresh air, even when its wet and cold.I suffer from depression and anxiety, but when Im on a horse I can forget about whats going on in the world, says Suzy, who hacks her mare Baggins on Dartmoor.Its time to concentrate on my horse and enjoy the scenery and fresh air. I really think riding is one of the best therapies.Ive got a compressed disc on one side of my back and a herniated disc on the other, which causes constant sciatica. Riding helps ease the pain and by using muscles that I wouldnt necessarily use otherwise it keeps me agile.2 Your horse will be happier, tooPrimary school teacher Cerys Plenty says her Thoroughbred mare Ruby becomes harder to manage when out of work.Ruby can be difficult on the ground if she isnt worked; she really depends on brain stimulation, says Cerys.When its cold outside, I always know I can come home to a cup of tea and the fire after riding.3 Adapt your routineRhona Clark finds she is more motivated to ride after changing her routine to suit her better. She used to leave her horsey jobs to do after work in the evening, when it was dark, and slipped into the habit of doing the bare minimum.It meant I wouldnt ride all week and then Id feel guilty. Now I ride in the morning instead and I love the feeling that Ive achieved something before I even start work, says Rhona.Im also more awake and alert. I have to be disciplined at nighttime. I know if I stay up late then I wont get up to ride and Ill feel bad all day.4 Have a plan and stick to itCerys brings some of her classroom techniques onto the yard, with a chalkboard in the tack room outlining her hacking and schooling plans.When I have a plan, Im more likely to stick to it, she says. The board holds me accountable and I treat riding like an appointment. I have some flexibility and can move a session if I really need to, but in general board guilt motivates me to ride.5 Give yourself a day offCerys stresses the importance of have a day off.Knowing my routine at the start of the week helps me stick with it, but if I have a day when I really dont want to ride, that is okay. Making myself feel bad only demotivates me.That said, there are times when I might need to push myself. Visualising how Ill feel after riding seems to work.6 Take your horse out in-handWhen youre really strapped for time or lacking motivation to saddle up, there is an alternative way to get a few miles in: hacking in-hand instead.Sometimes its the thought of getting all the gear on in order to go for a hack thats off putting, says Rhona. Strip it right back. Just take your horse for a walk up the lane so that you feel like youve achieved something.7 Set a personal goalHaving a goal is a great way to motivate yourself. Rhona enters an online competition each month and uses hacking to help her three horses maintain a certain level of fitness.I enter at the beginning of the month and once Ive spent the money Im committed, explains Rhona.Goals can take any guise and be as big or small as you like.For example, if youre aiming to complete your 1,000 miles in a year, thats 19 miles each week.If this feels too much, work out the figure that is attainable and aim for that. You could also give yourself a winter mileage target to hit before spring.8 Remember to have funAt the end of the day, remember the golden rule of hacking: have fun.We put so much time, money and effort into having horses. Youve got to find the balance and enjoy yourself, concludes Cerys.Main image Your Horse LibraryRelated contentThis is why hacking a horse in-hand will do wonders for your bond and confidenceStay confident and in control while riding a lively or spooky horse this winterHollowing your back or slouching? This is why stirrup length matters when hackingMounted police volunteers are helping to solve crimes and make the roads saferThe post 8 ways to motivate yourself to go hacking in winter (plus why its good for you) appeared first on Your Horse.