^{Working as an equine freelancer can be incredibly rewarding.}

No two days are the same, and you get to work with horses and people who share your passion. But let’s be honest: it can also be exhausting. There can be early mornings and long hours, physical graft, and the pressure to say "yes" to every opportunity can take a toll on both your body and your mind.

So, let’s talk about something significant: your health. Because without that, none of the rest of it matters.

Time Off Isn’t a Luxury – It’s a Necessity

One of the biggest mistakes freelancers make is not pencilling in time off. It’s easy to think, “I’ll take a break when things quieten down,” but in this line of work, things rarely do quieten down.

Block out time in your diary for rest and stick to it. Treat it like you would any other booking. Yes, even if a fantastic job offer comes in. It might sound counterintuitive to turn down work, but if you burn out, you’ll end up missing far more than a single job. Jobs will come and go – your well-being is non-negotiable.

Eat Like You Mean It

You wouldn’t expect a horse to work all day on a poor diet, so don’t do it to yourself.

Grabbing a bag of crisps and a few biscuits in between jobs might feel convenient, but it won’t fuel you through mucking out stables, grooming, riding, or any of the other physically demanding tasks you take on.

Be organised with your meals. Prep the night before if you need to – think rice bowls, pasta salads, fruit, nuts, or wraps. Pack food that will fuel your body, not leave you sluggish or starving by 3pm. And don't forget hydration – always carry water. On hot days or when doing particularly intense work, you might need to replenish your electrolytes too. That could mean a rehydration drink or even just a salty snack and a banana to keep things balanced.

Don’t Cancel Your Health Appointments

That dentist appointment? The GP check-up you’ve been putting off? Don’t cancel it for a job. Your long-term health is far more valuable than a day’s pay. It’s easy to think “I’ll rebook it later,” but the truth is, later often never comes. Jobs are ongoing – your health is not something you can afford to gamble with.

Set Boundaries with Your Time

As a freelancer, your phone is your office – and sometimes it feels like it never closes. But you need to shut down at some point in the day.

Pick a time in the evening when you stop checking messages and emails. Let clients know your hours if needed. Constant communication is still work, and your brain needs time to switch off. You wouldn’t keep a horse in constant training mode – don’t do it to yourself.

Sleep is a Superpower

Getting enough rest is not just about feeling less tired – it’s crucial for muscle recovery, mental clarity, and emotional resilience. If you’re constantly running on empty, you're more likely to make mistakes, get injured, or simply lose your love for the job.

Aim for good, consistent sleep. If you’ve had a particularly tough day physically, give your body time to re-energise properly. That might mean saying no to an early start the next morning – and that’s okay.

A Few More Things to Remember

• Stretch and move smartly. A quick warm-up in the morning or some stretching at the end of the day can do wonders for preventing injury.
• Check in with yourself mentally. Feeling stressed or overwhelmed isn’t a weakness – it’s a sign that something needs to change. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone.
• Have a support system. Even if you’re freelancing solo, build a network of fellow freelancers, friends, or family you can lean on.

Being an equine freelancer means showing up for others – horses, clients, teams. But you can’t do that well if you’re not showing up for yourself first. Look after your mind, fuel your body, and don’t be afraid to protect your time and energy.

Healthy freelancers are the ones who go the distance.

So go on – block out that day off, prep your meals, and get some decent sleep. Your future self will thank you for it.

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