Riders Minds Launch Online Mental Health Support

Mental Health Awareness Week, 18-24 May 2020, sees the launch of Riders Minds, a bespoke, comprehensive, online resource dedicated to supporting and improving the mental health of horse riders, across all levels.

Founded by 5* event rider Matthew Wright and his wife Victoria, Matthew has openly shared his own mental ill health struggles.

The Inspiration Behind The Latest Equestrian App, EquiNation

I recently published a blog showcasing the best horse apps that I believed every equestrian needed. There are five in the list, but that list will soon expand to six as the equestrian world will see the launch of EquiNation, developed to connect horse riders & owners with equestrian professionals locally & globally. The app is due to launch on 1st June 2020, but I've been chatting to the lady who's taken her own frustrations to create the inspiration to bring this app to life, Amna Ahli.

So, I'll hand over to Amna to introduce herself and tell you more about EquiNation in her own words!

Giving Something Back During Covid-19 Lockdown

It's becoming a bit of a daily joke in our house that every day the doorbell or letterbox goes, and there's some new little treat(s) that's arrived for me. That's what happens when you do your sneaky online shopping at night after your husband has gone to bed... Andrew has dubbed it 'midnight shopping'! While browsing, I've noticed many equestrian brands & retailers that are now offering to give back to charities, communities and causes when you make a purchase or subscription. Some have introduced these initiatives since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, with new products, items and services that you can purchase in light of the current situation, making donations to charities such as NHS Charities Urgent Appeal. But it also highlighted to me just how many brands offer commitments to give back to causes as a standard offering, such as sustainability or raising donations for an equine charity. Don't forget too, most equestrian charities will also offer an online shop where you can purchase merchandise with the profits going towards their fundraising efforts.

So, I thought it would make a good blog post for all those other 'midnight shoppers' amongst us to also be able to splurge on some online retail therapy each night, while also giving something back.
Please note: available to daytime shoppers too!

5 Horse Apps You Need In Your Equestrian Life Right Now

Let's be honest, we all use our phones to help us make more of everyday life, especially at the moment with the Covid-19 restricting our usual equestrian lifestyles. I can't imagine living through a lockdown without the technology we have at our fingertips today - FaceTime, Zoom, Teams, What's App helping us all stay connected, an endless supply of films and TV series through Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus, social media platforms to help us escape to our dream oasis, Kindle and books in digital & even audio copies, next day delivery services on pretty much most retailing experiences, and of course the absolute mass of games, puzzles and challenges we can play digitally, either alone, with friends or connect with players from around the globe. Particularly when planning my social posts, I've also spent a lot of time just running back through my camera roll, not to "miss" the experiences before lockdown, but just to enjoy...I also discovered I have 1000's of photos when searching the word 'horse'...

April Round Up

If thought March was a strange month, I didn't know what was about to hit me in April. Life has completely changed for so many of us, but one initial reflection I have is a gratitude for the natural slow down, reflect and refuel we are able to do right now. Of course, many of us are missing the everyday things we love about life, especially family and friends, but in our usual busy world, downtime can be difficult to find and enjoy guilt-free.

I've been very lucky to be able to continue to see Louie throughout the lockdown, mostly as I am on a DIY yard and so need to go to turn him out, muck out, feed and do yard jobs. I also made the decision to continue to ride Louie, as I explained in my opinion blog about equestrian life during Covid-19. I'm used to having my next training date or competition booked in to help keep me motivated and focused on working on various things, but with those now not taking place, the first thing I knew was important to do was to make a plan...