Lesson and Thoughts Thereon

Awareness of the outside world. In celebration of World Emoji Day, a reminder that communication can misfire. “Appearance historically differs greatly across platforms. Use with caution.” Emojipedia: Face with Rolling Eyes Emoji Meaning. Screenshot taken 15 July 2025.

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Bubba
Stepping Stone Farm
Saddle Seat Barn
July 2025

For my saddle seat lesson I was offered Optimist or Bubba. Although Bubba is a star, I still prefer my Emotional Support Horse. [Lesson Horse, School Horse, Emotional Support Horse]

Prefer, but don’t need. Optimist has his job taking care of the littles, and I have enough frogs at the moment to move on. [After The Show, In Which I Try To Corral The Frogs]

Even for a lesson with Optimist, I can be anxious on the way to the barn. Definitely had to do some inner believing in myself before my lesson with Bubba.

In contrast, I was not the slightest bit nervous before my hunt seat lesson with Razzy a few days before. No big deal. Gonna get on, stroll around, have a lovely time with an adorable pony. [Evening Lesson]

Razzy lesson is okay because it’s just flat work? What exactly do I think I am doing in a saddle seat lesson?

Side note on Razzy lesson. The last trot was over a tiny vertical. I was praised for being brave. Nope. I knew she was gonna trot over it. No jumping involved. There’s a big step coming when airtime starts. That wasn’t it. But I digress.

Why does saddle seat give me resident butterflies but hunt seat doesn’t? All of the horses are nice. The people are lovely. It really is a difference in the two types of riding.

I have thoughts.

1) Saddle seat is a less secure seat. Its all about stylin’ & looking sharp. Less about being ready for a jump. So that part of me that remembers galloping cross country is dubious about sitting without a deep seat and without my legs wrapped around the horse.

Or,

2) There is less to do. In theory, the rider sits chilly and the horse performs. In reality, you work like a dog. I’m more tired after a short saddle seat than after a long hunt seat. But it’s monitoring and concentrating. I feel like there was more activity required on Razzy. Balance, turn, leg, look. Riding Bubba was more about maintaining my position and keeping the air in the balloon, both horse and rider. More motion is better for my brain.

Or,

3) Comparative saddle time. If I had been doing strictly saddle seat for the last 13 years, I would have made the switch and probably would feel more at ease. Since I’m trying to maintain the two seats, I will always feel more at home with the one I am more familiar with.

This is neither good nor bad. Just is.

Per usual, I was fine once I got on the horse. [The Crux]

Okay, sometimes the ears take me a moment. [SSF Ears]

Once I get going, I’m good. It’s the pre-ride angst I could live without.

The lesson was great. Bubba had gone to Lexington as a practice horse. He thought he was all that for being in the big ring and hanging with the fancy horses. He did not show, but that didn’t seem to matter to him. He thought he was wonderful. I sat there and agreed with him.

Onwards!
Katherine