The New and The Old, ASB Lessons

Horses of the outside world. U.S. Mint: Kentucky State Quarter. In virtual support of Stepping Stone Farm currently showing at the Lexington Junior Charity Horse Show.

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New Lessons

Boogie
Riding Lesson
Stepping Stone Farm
1 July 2026

Item. Hold is support, especially for a horse who is used to that line of communication. As with Goldy. “Goldy is happier when I ride him his way.” [The Goldy Touch]

Item. Every so often, I need to give an overall release. NOT fling the reins and collapse my body, which I am prone to do. I need to keep all the aids but relax for a stride or two. Let the horse move along on their own for a moment. Make sure I am not rigid or locked or fixated. Then, resume communication. They seem to enjoy &/or appreciate this.

Rocky
Driving Lesson
Stepping Stone Farm
1 July 2026

Big fancy.

Big ego. Is it arrogance if it’s justified?

Big fan of this horse. I’ve always had a soft spot for the arrogant b*stards.

Twice The Fun

Barn heading to Lexington the following week. Packed two lessons into one day. Wow, I thought I was tired after one lesson.

Interlude

Still nervous with the ASBs. As I was getting on Boogie, nerves tried to stage a last minute attack.

Nerves: eeeeeeeeekkk!
Me: Seriously? On this horse?
Nerves: Point taken.

Prior Lessons

I posted these lessons, but I was yammering about my lost pants, which I had put away in a safe location. Eye roll. [A Tale of Two Pants]

Riding

The discipline crossover is going well, although I have a tendency to start off sitting in the middle of the saddle. Once I scoot back, we’re good.

Bubba is 50% Sam, 50% Goldy.

“After months apart, it takes us about five strides for me to say, ‘Hi Sam, it’s me’ and for Sam to say, ‘Oh, you. Well, okay then.’” [The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly]

“To access Goldy’s inner jumper, the rider has to prove they are worthy.” [The Goldy Key]

Bubba needs to be encouraged but also to be convinced that you are going to do it right.

Driving

Boogie was cutting the turn, particular down at the pond end. I tried to straighten the horse, as one does. No. In a cart, job one is to get the wheels to go where want them to go. I got many plaudits for my improvement. No, not really. It was an easy fix once I understood the exercise.

The subtle body shifting that I was doing a previous lesson? Not a sausage. [Back in the Driver’s Seat]

Onwards!
Katherine