Don’t worry, this is a natural thing – I mean, do you really look forward to going to work each day?

The arena generally means work, it means schooling and exercise and thought; while the trail is often a relaxed walk/trot/canter just enjoying being out. Simply: the arena means pressure, the trail means no pressure.

Mix it up!

Go for a trail ride first, and do lots of transitions, suppling exercises, lateral work, circles, serpentines, etc. while out on the trail. When you come home, head to the arena, treat it as your trail ride; relax and just wander around.

Pretty soon your horse will figure both work, and relaxation, can occur anywhere with you and the relaxing wind-down always follows work.