Awareness of the outside world. Phys.org: Did a single genetic mutation make horses rideable? Arnold, Clark ed, Egan rev, August 29, 2025.
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Ramsay
Stepping Stone Farm
September 2025
I have a question.
Why don’t more horse folks drive?
Activity for a young horse? Driving.
Activity for a rider with bad knees? Driving.
Activity that is fun for the whole family? Driving.
I just don’t get it.
Which is a roundabout way to say that I had a driving lesson this week.
Remember Ramsay, of show bridle lessons? [New Ears] & [Welcoming a New Skill]
He also drives.
He was – as with riding – a star. Steerable, amenable, happy to power around at the extended trot. I was reminded of something I learned with Alvin. “If dirt wasn’t hitting me in the face, we weren’t going fast enough.” [Team Awesome]
As with show/double bridle lessons, will I ever use this in the wider world?
Shrug.
Meanwhile it gets me off the farm and is most enjoyable.
Media. New-to-me horse to drive, so I grabbed an early photo for when I got all excited and forgot to get an in-process photo.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
Makes sense. Good thinking.
Joan
Your reasons for driving make sense but I am terrified riding in a cart/carriage let alone driving myself. I always turn down offers ride along with my driving friends.
The article on horse genetics is fascinating. To think that such a tiny change might have made all the difference.
Reason why I’ll never drive: I’ve seen the wrecks. To be fair, I’ve seen and even been in riding wrecks too, but driving wrecks are a whole different level of crazy. Not to mention the amount of human and vehicle power it involves to just get horse, cart and gear to a place where driving might be somewhat safe. (And I laugh at the word “Safe.”). Why would I do that when I can tack up single-handedly and be in the state forest that borders our farm in under ten minutes?
I don’t drive because it scares me. I was never super confident about it and then a VERY experienced driving friend was killed in a wreck and it broke my brain. I jut can’t do it. It doesn’t make a lot of sense because I know people die riding also.. But I am just too nervous
You all make good points. I am fortunate to be a good program with lovely horses. I have no illusion about my skill out in the wild.
As for the amount of required equipment. So true. So very very true.