Be Kind Month: Equestrians and burnout

In Part Two of Megan Lane's Be Kind Month series, read about the connection between the equestrian lifestyle and burnout. 

Burnout is well-documented across almost every domain of life, from the workplace to personal commitments, but it is particularly prevalent in sport. While many causes of athlete burnout have been studied, equestrian sport introduces unique complexities that set it apart.

Why might equestrian’s be at a high risk for burnout?

Unlike other athletes who can put their equipment away and mentally switch off, equestrians never fully clock out. Horses require daily, hands-on care. Feeding, mucking out, exercising, and managing their wellbeing is a continuous responsibility. The sometimes relentless level of commitment needed can quickly become overwhelming, making equestrian athletes especially vulnerable to burnout.

One major risk factor is the ongoing struggle to balance work, horses, and general life demands. For most people, work demands alone can be enough to lead to burnout. When you add the responsibilities of horse care, the early mornings, physically demanding tasks, and constant mental load, the risk multiplies.

An important factor to consider here is the impact owning a horse and working can have on the time available to do other things in life. For some, it may be that work hours limit the amount of time available for riding. When we feel we cannot reduce equestrian demands, the time is taken out of the time we would spend doing other things, including things we enjoy (e.g spending time with family and friends), and essential rest and recovery. When inadequate rest and recovery continues over a prolonged period of time, burnout is a significant risk.

Financial pressure can be another critical contributor. Horses are expensive. This high financial strain often pushes riders to work more hours to make ends meet, further reducing time for recovery and enjoyment. It can also limit funds available for training or competing, which may erode motivation and reduce the sense of achievement. Over time, this can make previously enjoyable activities feel like a chore, not just with horses, but across other areas of life too.

Burnout in equestrian athletes doesn’t arise from a single cause, but rather from the cumulative weight of the multiple, overlapping demands of work, horses, finances, and the pressures of daily life. When there’s no room to rest, no time to recharge, and no space to breathe, even the things we love most can begin to feel overwhelming.

About Megan 

Megan was born in Guernsey, Channel Islands, and then moved to Sheffield to begin her University education. She graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree with honours in Psychology. In 2024, she graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a Masters in Sports and Exercise Psychology. Megan is currently enrolled on the Professional Doctorate in Sports and Exercise Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University. This is a BPS accredited programme, which once completed, leads to Chartered status and HCPC registration.

Alongside her studies, Megan is a passionate equestrian athlete, who competes in dressage competitions with her horse and is a member of the BD Youth National Academy. 

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