A Small Guide to Help Navigate Through the Dreaded Horse Show Hangover
Are you feeling a little hoarse after a weekend at the horse show? Does the thought of Monday make you want to crawl back into bed and stay there until next weekend? If so, you may be suffering from a post horse show hangover – and trust us, the Monday after is even more Monday-er than usual.
Here are a few reasons why:
#1: You're physically exhausted.
Between all the walking, grooming, and riding, horse shows can take a serious toll on your body. By the time Sunday rolls around, you're probably running on fumes. And while you might think a good night's sleep would fix everything, the reality is that you're likely to wake up feeling even more sore and stiff than before..
#2: You're emotionally drained.
Competing at a horse show is a rollercoaster of emotions. There are highs and lows, moments of triumph and moments of disappointment. By the time it's all over, you may feel like you've been through the wringer. And while you might be tempted to drown your sorrows in a glass (or bottle) of wine, that's not exactly the healthiest coping mechanism.
#3: You're facing the reality of Monday.
Let's face it – Monday is never easy. But after a weekend of fun and excitement, it can feel downright brutal. You're back to the daily grind, with nothing to look forward to but another five days of work, school, or whatever else fills your weekdays. It's enough to make even the most enthusiastic Monday-hater want to crawl back under the covers.
So what's the solution to a post horse show hangover? Unfortunately, there's no magic cure-all. But here are a few things that might help:
Take care of your body. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and stretch or do some light exercise to ease any muscle soreness.
Instead of chugging cans of Monster Energy, try some Rider Aide to get you back on two feet.
Take care of your mind. Talk to friends or family members about how you're feeling, or consider talking to a therapist if you're really struggling. And try to focus on the positive memories from the weekend, rather than dwelling on any disappointments.
Make Monday a little less Monday-er. Treat yourself to a nice breakfast, take a longer shower than usual, or wear something that makes you feel confident and happy. And try to find something to look forward to later in the week – whether it's a lesson with your trainer, a dinner date with friends, or just a relaxing evening at home.
At the end of the day, a post horse show hangover is a small price to pay for the joy and excitement of competing with your equine partner. So take a deep breath, stretch out those sore muscles, and remember that there's always another horse show (and another Monday) just around the corner.