when does exercise give you energy?

Get your partner to cook dinner while you work out, then when you are back enjoy it.....
Don't forget to thatnk your partner.

is it purly because i dont eat enough

I think so. You're probably eating fewer calories than your body needs to function. In addition to that, you're doing exercise. You'll more likely burn out eventually.

I just had a thought. You say you're a light eater. Are you a light eater because you physically have a problem eg oesophageal blockage or is it psychological - you're scared of eating because eating makes you fat? If the latter, then focus on why you have to eat and know that as long as you count calories and eat to your planned goal, then it's perfectly fine so enjoy the food.

on the light eating - u can be just eat healthy, nuts are great to add for many good reasons, eat salad and load of on protein, fruit and veg too

when you eat enough to fuel your workouts properly

if you're using the MFP default settings, eat back your exercise calories

if you're using the TDEE method, check you've calculated your calories right (see the "in place of a road map" thread for more details)

Whatever method you're using, focus on post workout nutrition. After exercise, you need to eat something. pre-workout nutrition is less important, and some people prefer to do cardio on an empty stomach (e.g. going for a run before breakfast or something) - but for very strenuous exercise like weight training are not so good on an empty stomach as you need adequate blood sugar to get a decent workout in. Feeling weak and tired during the workout isn't going to do anyone any favours. Personally, I don't exercise before breakfast, and when I workout, my last meal counts for pre-workout (i.e. I don't eat anything additional before my workout). I do eat a lot after a workout though, and I try to get as much of my daily calories in the post-workout meal as I can, even if this means eating less later in the day. Good post-workout nutrition = helps the body repair and maintain your muscles (and build muscle if you're eating more than your TDEE) + having plenty of energy + less likely to experience extreme hunger later in the day. For some people, not eating after exercise results in overeating later in the day to compensate. Note: post workout meals should come from your daily calorie budget, if you're using the MFP method, you're supposed to eat back your exercise calories, the post-workout meal would be a good time for eating the extra calories you're allowed (although you don't have to eat all of them in your post-workout meal if your meal is otherwise filling). This may seem to "cancel out" the benefit of exercise, but actually it'll mean you have more energy for your workouts (=more calories burned each time) and you're likely to feel less hungry later on. Plus exercise benefits your body in far many more ways than just fat loss.

Good choices for a post workout meal include protein and healthy carbs.

I tend to go to the gym first thing at 6:30am and get my gym classes in then. I've got more energy for most of the day plus as I know how many calories I've burnt I can enjoy my food more during the day.

From what your saying I don't think your eating enough to give you energy. If I go to the gym in the evening I have to make sure I've had a big lunch with a fair amount of carbs otherwise I can't workout properly.
Try and have a couple of protein shakes during the day esp after the gym. Your body needs it to repair its self.

is there any one who works out between 6:30 - 8? as im half tempted to change my shifts to a late so i finish work at 6 and then can go the gym in the morning to see if it helps? as so far it just nocks me out!

I work out 6:30am - 8am most days and love it. I used tell everyone that I was NOT a morning person for 3 years I've had an agreement with my boss that I work 10am - 6pm instead of 9am - 5pm. This year I've been waking up at 5:30am to get to Bikram yoga studio for 6:30am for a 90 min cardio + strength session before work at 9am. I'm ready to pass out by 9:30pm but this works well for me and I've had really positive feedback on job performance as well. Plus even though the weight loss has only been 7 lbs I'm 2 dress sizes smaller and slimmer than when I was at 10lbs less.

Note, when I tried the morning yoga routine in Oct of last year I had NO energy what so ever and I was showing up to work really grumpy so I went to see a doctor and found out that my energy levels were down due to low iron. I'm not on iron supplements and that has really made a huge difference to my energy levels!

Hope you find something that works for you

Edit: I'm NOW on iron supplements which has made a huge diff to my energy levels!

Maybe try the workout on your way back from the stables before dinner. Have a snack before you go like some yoghurt and fruit (and lots of water), and have dinner after your work out with plenty of priotein for muscle repair.

I find I feel full of energy in the evenings now, and ive not been doing it for a long time...If I went home and had dinner first I think I would be exhausted too...

What are you eating and how much are you eating? If you are not eating enough of the right foods you will be tired especially with the active lifestyle. I wake up at 3am every morning and do not go to bed till about 9pm. I have energy through out the day even after lifting heavy and /or doing Insanity.

You may not have enough energy bc your not eating enough sometimes. Don't forget also, mucking out stalls and riding the horse (depending on what your doing) is a great workout! Really get your heart rate up when your muckin the stalls out. When you ride are you just doing a slow and easy trail ride? If your doing like a 10 min trot or lope that is a great work out! Anything that gets your heart rate going