The Secret Life of Sidewalker Notes

You two-legged note-takers fascinate me. After class, while you’re brushing the arena dust off your hands and jotting down notes, I like to peek over your shoulder. Those scribbles? They tell the real story of our riders’ progress — and they’re more important than you think.

At the end of every class, sidewalkers fill out brief observation notes about how their rider did. Did they sit taller today? Did they reach farther? Were they focused or distracted? Those notes go to the instructor team, who use them to track each rider’s progress and adapt lesson plans.

Many of our riders can’t express every detail of what they felt or accomplished during class — but you see it. Over time, those sidewalker notes create a clear picture of improvement in balance, strength, coordination, confidence, and joy. They also help instructors make decisions about goals, activities, and which horse or tack best supports each rider.

Those notes may seem ordinary, but to the humans who teach, support, and cheer our riders on, they’re a measure of real progress – one step at a time.

Until next time – that’s the view from the hay cart.

About Milo

I’m Milo – HorsePOWER’s tuxedo-clad barn cat, chief snack negotiator, gift from the universe, and part-time philosopher. I keep an eye on the horses, the humans, and the hay cart. When I’m not supervising classes, I’m busy explaining barn life from a feline point of view.

The purr-pose of my blog? To help my favorite humans – you, the volunteers – understand why we do things the way we do, how our horses think, and what keeps everyone safe, happy, and learning together. Around here, every hoofbeat tells a story – and I’ve got lots to share.

That’s my purr-spective. Now, if you’ll excuse me, duty calls. There’s always another story hiding in the hay.