Transition Up Horseback riding lessons

05/24/2026

This !! 💖

There are moments with horses that humble me so quickly that I can almost feel my ego leave my body in real time. I used to think that if my intentions were good, that should somehow count for more. I loved my horses. I wanted them to feel safe. I wanted partnership, softness, harmony. Surely they should recognize that.

But horses do not respond to our intentions. They respond to our behavior, our timing, our posture, our emotional state, our consistency, and the clarity of the patterns we create around them. They respond to what we actually do, not what we mean.

I think this is one of the hardest truths for horse lovers to sit with because most people I meet genuinely love their horses. They are not trying to create fear or confusion or tension. They are trying their best. But love and good intentions do not automatically equal understanding.

I remember this so clearly with Maxi. Years ago, when I was still trying so desperately to prove myself as a capable horsewoman, I spent a lot of time getting frustrated with her because she would become tight and resistant in situations where I thought she should have been more cooperative. I would watch other skilled horsemen ride horses with softness and flow, and then I would try to recreate the same thing with Maxi. Sometimes I could force pieces of it together for a few moments, but it never felt sustainable. It was like trying to hold water in my hands.

At the time, I interpreted a lot of her behavior as stubbornness. I thought she was challenging me. Looking back now, I think Maxi was simply telling the truth more honestly than I wanted to hear it. She did not experience me the way I intended to be experienced.

I might have been thinking, “I’m trying to help you.” But what she felt was inconsistency. Tightness. Ambition. Pressure without enough preparation. Requests that changed depending on my emotions that day. A human who wanted the result more than the conversation.

That realization hurt my feelings for a while. Not because Maxi was wrong, but because I had built part of my identity around being “good” with horses. Horses have a way of exposing the gap between the story we tell ourselves and the experience we are actually creating.

The interesting thing is that Maxi never seemed particularly interested in blaming me for any of it. Horses do not usually waste much time trying to decide who is morally right. They are simply trying to survive, seek comfort, avoid confusion, and discover what works.

Humans are much stranger about these things. We get attached to being correct. We build identities around methods and philosophies and labels. We argue over who is ethical and who is wrong and who has the better system. Meanwhile, the horse is over there quietly asking much simpler questions.

Do I understand you? Do I feel safe with you? Can I find comfort with you? Does this interaction make sense to me?

I think this is why horses have softened me over the years. They have taught me that many conflicts are not acts of rebellion or disrespect. They are misunderstandings. And misunderstandings usually improve much faster when somebody decides to become curious instead of defensive.

Now, when one of my horses becomes tight or worried or resistant, I spend much less time thinking, “Why are you being difficult?” and much more time asking, “What part of this conversation is unclear?” That shift changed nearly everything for me.

It made me more reflective. More adaptable. More willing to slow down and examine the tiny details of my body language, breathing, timing, and emotional steadiness. It made me realize that all horse owners are training their horses all the time, whether they mean to or not. Every interaction teaches something. Every repetition builds an association. Every emotional reaction becomes part of the conversation.

And this is often why people struggle when they buy a horse from an exceptionally skilled trainer. The horse is not just responding to cues. The horse is responding to years of refined timing, emotional control, subtle posture shifts, consistency, feel, and understanding. Skilled trainers often communicate in ways that look almost invisible because they have spent thousands of hours refining themselves.

Then the horse goes home with someone who deeply loves them but does not yet have the same awareness or skill. Suddenly the horse seems different. Confused. Resistant. Dull. Reactive. But often the horse is not “bad.” The conversation has simply changed dramatically.

I think this is why self-reflection matters so much in horsemanship. Not shame. Not guilt. Reflection. There is a big difference. Shame tends to shut learning down. Reflection opens doors. One says, “I am failing.” The other says, “Something in this interaction is not working yet.” That little word “yet” has saved me many times.

Because the beautiful thing about horses is that they are usually incredibly willing to meet us halfway if we become worthy conversation partners. If we can help them understand us clearly, and if being with us feels mentally, emotionally, and physically good, horses tend to become astonishingly generous.

Some of the most satisfying moments of my life have not come from accomplishing impressive tasks. They have come from those quiet moments where a horse softens underneath me, exhales, and chooses to stay connected because the interaction itself has become worthwhile. Those moments feel less like control and more like mutual understanding.

And honestly, I think that is what I was searching for all along, even back when I was too inexperienced to realize it. I am so thankful we had Linda to help us figure things out!

Coach Kristi

05/08/2026

Setting up poles today 💪💪💪

A recent study from the University of Tennessee provided strong support for something trainers, movement specialists, and bodyworkers have observed for years:

Ground poles significantly increase activation of important postural and core muscles in horses.

What the Study Found

Walking over ground poles increased activity in:

• Longissimus dorsi — a major topline and spinal support muscle
• Abdominal muscles — critical for core stability and support of the spine

Even at the walk, poles require the horse to:

• Lift the limbs higher
• Stabilize the trunk more actively
• Organize posture and balance with greater precision
• Continuously adjust limb placement and timing

At the trot, researchers also found increased activation of the abdominal muscles.

Trotting over poles requires greater dynamic stabilization, and the increased limb elevation demands more coordinated control of the trunk, pelvis, and spine.

What This Means

These findings support the long-standing use of cavaletti and ground poles as a low-impact way to:

• Strengthen the topline
• Improve abdominal engagement
• Support spinal stability
• Enhance proprioception and coordination
• Encourage improved posture and self-carriage
• Develop better movement organization through the whole body

One of the most important aspects of pole work is that it influences both sides of the postural system:

• The dorsal chain — including the longissimus muscles along the back
• The ventral chain — including the abdominal support system

This balance is essential for efficient movement, force transfer, and development of a healthy, functional topline.

But pole work is not only muscular.

It is neurological.

Each pole creates a movement problem the horse must solve in real time.

The horse has to:

• Judge distance
• Adjust stride length
• Control timing
• Stabilize the trunk
• Organize the limbs in space
• Adapt moment-to-moment to changing demands

That process requires attention, coordination, body awareness, and ongoing nervous system regulation.

In many horses, poles appear to improve focus not simply because the horse is “behaving,” but because the nervous system is becoming more engaged and organized around the task.

Pole work may also influence neurological tone — the background level of muscular and nervous system readiness that affects posture, movement quality, stiffness, and coordination.

For some horses, this can help reduce excessive bracing and improve adaptability through the body.
For others, it can help improve postural engagement and overall organization.

Why It Matters

Regular pole work can benefit many types of horses:

• Young horses developing coordination and posture
• Performance horses improving strength, agility, movement quality, and limb awareness
• Horses rebuilding core control and stability after periods of weakness or reduced work
• Older horses maintaining mobility, coordination, and movement confidence

Importantly, many of these benefits occur even at the walk, making poles accessible to horses across a wide range of ages, disciplines, and fitness levels.

Rather than simply “making horses pick up their feet,” poles appear to challenge the nervous system, postural system, sensory system, and muscular system together — encouraging the horse to organize movement with greater control, awareness, and adaptability.

https://koperequine.com/step-by-step-the-benefits-of-walk-poles-for-horses/

05/01/2026

This is IT!!!!!!! 👌

There is something about horses that deserves to be said plainly, especially in a space like this where we are all trying to do right by them. Horses are inherently dangerous, not because they are bad, but because they are large, fast, and wired for survival in a way that can override everything else in a moment. Even a kind, well-educated horse can react in a way that puts us at risk if something feels unclear, uncomfortable, or unsafe to them.

Most of us try to manage that reality with the things we can control. We invest in good tack, we pay attention to footing, we wear helmets, and we make thoughtful decisions about where and when we ride. Those are all responsible choices, and they matter. Over time, though, I have come to believe that the most meaningful layer of safety does not come from what we put on ourselves or our horses. It comes from the quality of the relationship and the clarity of the communication we build with them.

Kaya has been my greatest teacher in this. She is a thoughtful mare who has always made it clear that her sense of peace is not something I can take for granted, especially under saddle. On the ground, she can feel steady and connected, but when I add the responsibility of riding, even small gaps in understanding or confidence can surface. Earlier in my journey, I might have tried to push through that. I might have told myself she just needed more exposure or that I needed to be more determined. I might have leaned on effort instead of awareness, focusing on getting the ride done instead of asking whether we were truly prepared for it.

Now, at 51, I see that approach differently. These days, I am much more interested in whether we are genuinely ready before I ever consider getting on. For me, that preparation comes down to three foundational qualities: connection, relaxation, and responsiveness, the Chore Behaviors of the How To Talk Horse program. If I do not have her attention in a meaningful way, then I do not really have her with me. If she is holding tension in her body or her mind, then whatever we do is sitting on a fragile foundation. If her responses feel delayed, resistant, or disconnected, then we are not having a clear conversation, and that matters more to me than completing any particular task.

Kaya has helped me become honest about that standard. There have been many days where the plan was to ride, and I chose not to, not because anything dramatic happened, but because something subtle felt off. Sometimes her focus drifts more than usual, or her body feels a little tight, or I notice that I have to work just a bit harder than I want to for a simple response. Those moments used to feel easy to overlook, especially when I was attached to the idea of riding, but now I treat them as valuable information that helps me make better decisions.

When I stay on the ground and take the time to work through those pieces, something shifts in a way that feels both physical and emotional. Her breathing changes, her body softens, and her attention becomes more intentional. Her responses begin to feel thoughtful rather than reactive, and there is a sense that she is participating in the interaction instead of simply managing it. That is the feeling I am looking for, and it has become far more important to me than whether I get on and ride.

Even when things begin to feel good, I no longer measure success by the act of riding. I pay much more attention to whether we can maintain connection, relaxation, and responsiveness together as the interaction evolves. I want to know if we can stay connected when something changes, if she can remain relaxed as I ask for a little more, and if her responsiveness continues to feel like a conversation rather than compliance. Those questions have reshaped how I think about safety in a very practical way.

I consider myself an average rider, and I mean that in an honest and grounded sense. I am not especially brave, and I am not especially athletic. Even if I were, I do not believe that relying on those traits is a good safety plan. Managing a situation after it begins to unravel is far less effective than preparing in a way that helps prevent it from unraveling in the first place. Kaya has required me to be more patient, more observant, and more willing to adjust my plans than I once was, and she has shown me that her willingness is directly tied to how well I prepare her and how carefully I listen.

When I get that right, the experience changes in a noticeable way. The ride feels like a natural extension of the conversation we already built on the ground, and there is a steadiness to it that makes everything feel simpler and more connected. When I get it wrong, that becomes clear as well, and that clarity has become one of the most valuable parts of my horsemanship because it gives me the opportunity to make better choices next time.

Safety, for me, is no longer about trying to eliminate risk, because that is not possible with horses. It is about reducing unnecessary risk by paying attention to the smallest signs before they become bigger ones, valuing the quality of the interaction over the completion of the task, and being willing to pause, step back, or change direction when something does not feel quite right. Connection, relaxation, and responsiveness are not optional ideals in that process; they are the foundation that everything else is built on, and Kaya continues to remind me of that every day. Linda’s Everyday Warmup gives us a clear guideline on how to do that!

When I honor those qualities, she meets me with thoughtfulness and willingness. When I overlook them, she lets me know just as clearly, and that kind of honesty is something I have learned to trust. In a world where there are no guarantees, that trust, built through careful preparation and a shared conversation, is the closest thing to safety I know how to create.



Coach Kristi

04/28/2026

Here we are, ready to roll. This has been a long long journey. Trailering has been a very scary memory for this young chap. And we took our time 💚✈️💚

04/26/2026

Angel is still available. Take a lookie

For In barn Lease: young thoroughbred mare, sweet and very kind. Angel thrives in dressage, maybe even some jumping in her future
Angel is 15.2, 6 years old and well versed in groundwork and is perfectly mannered, standing to be groomed and bathed.
We have an all weather arena and instructor on site. Lesson fee includes one private lesson per week to a total of 3 rides a week (best way to experience horse ownership without the financial burden ).
Located in Covington

04/20/2026

For In barn Lease: young thoroughbred mare, sweet and very kind. Angel thrives in dressage, maybe even some jumping in her future
Angel is 15.2, 6 years old and well versed in groundwork and is perfectly mannered, standing to be groomed and bathed.
We have an all weather arena and instructor on site. Lesson fee includes one private lesson per week to a total of 3 rides a week (best way to experience horse ownership without the financial burden ).
Located in Covington

04/19/2026

Free but you have to pick these up:
2 draft size blankets , 1 fly mask draft size and 3 dressage girths that fit a draft

04/05/2026

Every. Word!!

Copied from someone else but all incredibly relevant and true ❤️
Remember your coach or instructor is your biggest fan but these points below are things I believe everyone should know:

1. This sport is tough.
There’s no shortcut around the hard parts, every skilled rider has gone through them. Progress comes in waves: you improve, plateau, and then improve again. Your instructor can guide you, but they can’t make it easy, it wouldn’t be fun if it was easy!

2. You won’t always have a great ride.
Every situation has something to teach you, if you’re open to it. The more willing you are to learn, the more each ride will benefit you. If you let it.

3. Being teachable is essential.
Success in riding (and anything, really) depends on the willingness to learn. That often means revisiting the basics over and over. If basics feel boring, try seeing them as opportunities to refine and grow.

4. This sport requires commitment.
Really, read that again. Riding isn’t occasional; it’s consistent effort. Your partner is a big animal that communicates differently than you do. Progress comes from making riding a priority and showing up to practice, through bad weather, early morni by an and late nights.

5. Every ride matters.
Even the easy ones. Even the frustrating ones. Every single ride is a chance to learn. Remember when you were just excited to sit on a horse? Hold onto that feeling. If you focus only on what you’re not doing, you lose the joy, for yourself, your horse, and your instructor.

6. It should still be enjoyable.
Riding is work, and work isn’t always fun but it shouldn’t feel like a constant chore. If you dread lessons or would rather be elsewhere, it might be time for a break. Horses can sense your mindset, and showing up disengaged sets everyone up for a tough ride.

7. Learning happens on the ground, too.
In fact, some of the most important lessons do. Grooming, handling, and understanding horses from the ground are essential skills. Skipping these means missing a huge part of your horse’s trust.

8. Ask questions and communicate.
If you don’t understand why you’re doing something, ask. A good instructor will explain and a good student will listen and apply what they hear.

9. Remember we’re human, too.
Instructors juggle many responsibilities, from managing horses to making important daily decisions. A little patience and respect go a long way. Most importantly too remember we have our own struggles too, life affects everyone.

Riding instructors and coaches dedicate so much of their time, energy, and money to improving their craft and investigating themselves in your progression.

They love what they do but they also know: becoming a good rider is a journey, and it’s not an easy one.