Sandie Mercer Stable

10/15/2026

I am a lesson horse.
I am a horse that isn’t as recognized as the top hunter jumpers, the best western pleasure horse, or the 1D barrel horse, I am a lesson horse. I am the backbone of the foundation to do all of those things. I am a lesson horse.

I am not loved by one person. I am loved by several people. I don’t have my person, I have my people. I am a lesson horse.

I will teach your child and yourself more than just to ride. I will bring your child out of their shell. I will teach your child about life. I will be yours and their shoulder to cry on. I am a lesson horse.

I will bring my family the joy of teaching kids. I will bring my families business growth. I am so loved by my family, even if they don’t express it everyday. My family allows others to show me love and enjoy me. I am a lesson horse.

At the end of your childs’ journey on a lesson horse, they will out grow me. They will find one that jumps higher, a horse that is show quality, a horse much faster than me. But, I will never outgrow being a lesson horse. I will be the one that loved your child and helped your child grow into the rider and person they are. I am a lesson horse.

At the end of my time as a lesson horse; I will be covered in grey hair. Each grey hair came from each hour I spent as a lesson horse. I will be in a field of green grass, I will be taken care of as I was when I was a lesson horse. I will watch your child from across the pasture love her new horse. But, I will love your child more than any horse can. I will be the backbone of the business, the family, and your child. Don’t forget about me, I am a lesson horse.

I am a lesson horse.
*stolen from a friend * I am a lesson horse.
I am a horse that isn’t as recognized as the top hunter jumpers, the best western pleasure horse, or the 1D barrel horse, I am a lesson horse. I am the backbone of the foundation to do all of those things. I am a lesson horse.

I am not loved by one person. I am loved by several people. I don’t have my person, I have my people. I am a lesson horse.

I will teach your child and yourself more than just to ride. I will bring your child out of their shell. I will teach your child about life. I will be yours and their shoulder to cry on. I am a lesson horse.

I will bring my family the joy of teaching kids. I will bring my families business growth. I am so loved by my family, even if they don’t express it everyday. My family allows others to show me love and enjoy me. I am a lesson horse.

At the end of your childs’ journey on a lesson horse, they will out grow me. They will find one that jumps higher, a horse that is show quality, a horse much faster than me. But, I will never outgrow being a lesson horse. I will be the one that loved your child and helped your child grow into the rider and person they are. I am a lesson horse.

At the end of my time as a lesson horse; I will be covered in grey hair. Each grey hair came from each hour I spent as a lesson horse. I will be in a field of green grass, I will be taken care of as I was when I was a lesson horse. I will watch your child from across the pasture love her new horse. But, I will love your child more than any horse can. I will be the backbone of the business, the family, and your child. Don’t forget about me, I am a lesson horse.

I am a lesson horse.
*stolen from a friend *

10/05/2026

The walk is often treated as the part of the lesson where riders warm up, cool down, catch their breath, or wait for the next exercise. Some of the most useful teaching can happen at the walk because the slower pace gives riders more time to think, organize, and actually feel what is happening underneath them.

Walk work is a great place to focus on accuracy. Ask riders to ride exact circles, straight centerlines, square turns, serpentines, changes of rein, or specific tracks without relying on the rail. Since everything is happening more slowly, you can be much more particular about where the horse is going and whether the rider is planning the line rather than simply steering at the last second.

The walk is also ideal for introducing lateral work. For a basic leg yield exercise, ride down the quarter line and ask the horse to move gradually toward the rail while staying mostly straight. Start with only a few steps, straighten, and repeat. Focus on the rider understanding the relationship between the inside leg, outside rein, and direction of travel rather than trying to produce a dramatic sideways movement.

For more experienced riders, use shoulder fore down the long side. Ask for only a slight positioning of the shoulders to the inside while keeping the hindquarters on the track. This can be especially useful for teaching straightness and preparing riders for more advanced lateral work without overwhelming them.

You can also use turn on the forehand into walk away. Halt near the rail, ask for a few deliberate steps of turn on the forehand, then immediately walk forward on the new line. This teaches the rider that lateral work should lead somewhere rather than becoming an isolated trick.

For planning ahead, create a walk pattern that changes every few movements. For example, ride a 20-meter circle, change rein across the diagonal, halt on the centerline, walk on, ride a square turn, then leg-yield back to the rail. Before the rider begins, ask them to tell you where each preparation needs to happen. During the exercise, try not to coach every step. Let them make decisions. Another variation is to give them the pattern once and then ask them to ride it independently. Afterward, ask “Where did you feel most prepared and where did you feel late?” That turns the exercise into a lesson in self assessment rather than simple obedience.

Walk work can be incredibly useful for rider position too. Without the added motion of trot or canter, riders can focus on where their seat bones are, whether one shoulder is lower, whether one leg tends to creep forward, how evenly they are holding the reins, and whether they are actually sitting in the middle of the horse. You can also use short periods without stirrups, arm exercises, or deliberate position changes to improve body awareness without overwhelming the rider.

One exercise that works well is walk-halt-walk with exact markers. Choose two cones and ask the rider to halt precisely between them. Once that is easy, ask for the halt at a single marker, then ask them to walk on again without hesitation. Focus on preparation of the halt, which should not begin when they reach the cone. The rider should already be organizing the horse several steps beforehand. This is a great way to teach the idea that transitions are prepared before they occur.

You can also turn this into a counting exercise. Ask for six purposeful walk steps, halt for three seconds, then walk another eight steps. This encourages the rider to control the rhythm and think ahead instead of simply moving around the arena.

You can also ask riders to identify their seat bones. At the walk, have them notice whether they feel equal pressure on both sides. Then ride a circle and ask whether one side feels different. This can lead naturally into discussions about crookedness, collapsing through a hip, or leaning.

Transitions do not have to mean only changing gait. Walk-halt-walk, lengthening and shortening the walk, frequent changes of direction, and transitions within the walk can teach riders a lot about preparation, responsiveness, and timing. Instead of allowing the horse to shuffle into a halt or wander back into walk, ask for a specific number of purposeful steps and make the rider plan the transition before it happens.

The walk is also a great place to teach riders to think ahead. Give them a pattern and ask them to tell you where they need to prepare for the next movement. Ask what they are going to do before the corner, where they need to straighten, or when they should begin asking for the next exercise. Since riders have more time to prepare, they can practice planning instead of simply reacting.

Another productive exercise is lengthening and shortening the walk. Pick two points in the arena. Between the first pair of markers, ask for a more forward, ground covering walk. Between the next pair, ask the rider to shorten the steps while maintaining activity. The goal is not simply fast versus slow. It is teaching the rider to influence stride length while preserving rhythm.

For group lessons, walk work can become a spacing and awareness exercise. Ask riders to maintain a specific number of horse lengths between one another without passing. Change direction, add circles, or ask one rider to halt while the others reorganize. This teaches riders to pay attention to the entire arena rather than focusing only on their own horse.

Do not underestimate how useful the walk is for developing feel. Ask the rider if they can feel the four beat rhythm. Can they feel which hind leg is stepping? Can they tell when the horse becomes crooked, loses energy, or starts leaning on one rein? Can they feel the difference between a purposeful walk and a horse simply wandering around the arena?

The walk does not have to be the “easy” part of the lesson. Done well, it can be where riders develop accuracy, body awareness, timing, independence, and a much better understanding of how their aids actually influence the horse. Sometimes slowing everything down is exactly what allows the rider to learn more.

09/24/2026

Where can I get a lunge whip close by to us?

08/23/2026

Enjoy stunning ocean views and fresh coastal cuisine at Moonstone Bar & Grill in Cambria, CA. Known for its seafood, steaks, and creative cocktails, this local favorite offers the perfect blend of flavor and scenery. Whether you’re relaxing on the outdoor patio or dining inside with panoramic windows, every seat comes with a view. Treat yourself to an unforgettable Central Coast dining experience at Moonstone Bar & Grill! The Cambria Scarecrow Festival is proud to have the generous support of Moonstone Bar & Grill for the past several years.

08/23/2026

07/31/2026

Is there anyone out there that would be interested in an older style Western Silver show headstall? My mom loved it and saved it so I ended up with it. I thing it’s so pretty but I don’t have a need for it so hoping one of you might like it or know someone that would. Asking $250. The buckles are stamped w sterling on them Let me know

07/04/2026

Great 2 weeks of camps

05/25/2026

Hi I have some older belts from when I was smaller that have been hanging in garage for yrs. Sizes 30-34” They do need to be cleaned. If interested in any make me an offer please. I can bring to the barn to see pu only. No shipping

04/17/2026

02/15/2026

Did you know?

As you walk the sidewalks of downtown Paris, Kentucky, you will notice a feature reminiscent of the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. But instead of stars etched with a celebrity's name, you will find two horseshoes and a plaque immortalized in the concrete, honoring a horse associated with Bourbon County.

Bourbon County is home to more than 50 horse farms, some of which are known as the best in the world. The horses that were born, raised, and stood stud here are an important piece of the history of both Bourbon County and horse racing as a whole.

Fifty-nine horses and one human are honored in the Horse Walk of Fame, including the likes of Secretariat, Ruffian, Seabiscuit, Gallant Fox, and Riva Ridge. A few non-Thoroughbred horses are also celebrated in this walk, such as American Saddlebred Bourbon King; Standardbreds Duenna, Nevele Pride, and Meadow Skipper; and even a Percheron mare named Dolly, who was the nurse mare (foster mother) for Pulpit.

The lone human recognized in the walk is John Sosby, the founder of this project and a celebrated horseman.

We encourage you to make this walk a part of your next visit to Kentucky. It is a great opportunity to look back on many of horse racing's icons while exploring Paris' beautiful and quaint downtown area. ⭐️