Success in the Slow Season

By Christine Olsen

Living in the Chicago area, I learned early in my riding days the value of an indoor arena during the winter months. This cozy comfort is a necessary relief from months of ice, snow, and wind chill. Without this luxury some riders might choose to take a break from lessons over the season or even switch to a new barn that has better accommodations. This reflected my experience with a lesson stable growing up that was not set up for winter. Some riders (like me) waited winter out while others moved to a different barn so they could continue riding. Looking back on those days now as a riding instructor I can empathize how my instructor struggled with such a hard hit every year. Even if you have accommodations for riding during inclement weather, the bone chilling temperatures or the hectic holiday season might be enough reason for some riders to take a break. If your lesson program is impacted by winter, these are some ideas to keep your clients engaged in your program.

 Skijoring can be great winter fun for all—rider, activities that can be fun and educational horse, skijorer, and onlookers! Photo courtesy Ruaridh Ormiston, Newtonmore while reminding them of the commitment Riding Centre in the Scottish Highlands. they have to their riding and the time at

Whether your lessons cut down or stop the stable. all together, to have a program the followCreating a winter chore rotation is someing year it is essential to maintain the clithing I participated in and I loved it. Having ents you already have. Winter is a wonderset days and times when your clients can ful time to have a sit down with each one come in to help with chores is a wonderof your riders (and with kids, their parful way to keep them coming back in and ents, too) and review the progress made making them feel like they are investing in throughout the year. Everyone appreciates your stable. Working together, even if they a progress report. Instructors tend to focus are just having fun in the snow, is still havon what needs to happen while forgetting ing fun at the farm. about what has already been done. This progress report can come in handy with riders who tend to feel like they aren’t coming along as fast as oth“ Remember that your students look up Most likely you have a list of to-do’s you have been waiting to tackle. Winter is a great time to do those tasks. Things like updating er riders. Additionally, your website, designing during this conversation to you and if they see a barn logo, and updatyou can talk about new ing paperwork can be goals and how they will you working hard and done from the comfort of be achieved next year. indoors. Use your office This will give your clitaking risks to reach time to get organized. ents something to look In the stable, winter is a forward to and a reason your dreams they will good time to do invento come back. tory of equipment. Look

Some programs might be excited into hosting or going enjoy things slowing to a tack swap and ask down a bit. If you operto do the same. some of your riders to ate a busy program with travel and showing, lesson and lease horses might like a little R & R (as well as you and your staff). This may also give you time to work a new young be in charge of the table. Another task that can be done from your desk is a newsletter. (A word of advice on this, if you decide to start a newsletter, follow through and continue to put ” horse or take out and show a horse of your it out, even during the busiest of times, as own. Fewer lessons on your schedule don’t your clients will be expecting it.) always have to be a bad thing if you have While you might be under snow and ice other sources of revenue. However, if you there are other places that are not. Plan a want to keep your students committed to trip with some of your clients to a large your program there are a variety of nonhorse event. A large horse show or expo horse events you can put on the calendar to can be a fun getaway as well as showing keep your riders coming back to the farm. your riders something to work toward. A An evening in the club room watching a farm field trip will not only inspire your horse movie with pizza is a great way to clients but will also achieve a shared expebuild team comradery. To make them feel rience. How often have you gone on a trip more involved with the farm, have a craft and come back with funny stories and night and make name plates for the lesinside jokes? Of course you cannot bring son horses. There are a number of indoor all of your clients so catalog your trip and share with everyone what was seen. This way everyone that couldn’t make it can still feel a part of the experience.

Don’t forget about yourself over the winter. If you have some down time use it to your advantage by continuing your education. While encouraging riders to reach their goals, remember your own. This could be professionally or personally. Share your passion with your riders. Remember that your students look up to you and if they see you working hard and taking risks to reach your dreams they will be excited to do the same. Setting an example on its own can be a powerful motivator.

Winter weather does throw us some challenges and it is up to us to find solutions. If a rider does choose to take a break through the season it is important to remain in contact so they return once the snow melts. If your whole business suffers greatly due to the weather you should consider some bigger changes. This might include an addition to, or cut of, services, or change in location. Any plan should be considered with great care. Winter can also be a wonderful season and for as long as it lasts around here it will pass faster if we look for the beauty and fun it has to offer.

About the author: Christine Olsen has 15 years of experience in the industry as a rider, trainer, clinician, and instructor. She manages a private farm in Richmond, Illinois and enjoys sharing her passion for horses with her students.