3/5 Recoining Equine Vocabulary:Change Problem to Challenge

The word “problem” implies something that needs fixing, often with a negative connotation. When we label something a problem, we risk framing the situation to encourage frustration or urgency to “correct” the horse.

By switching from “problem” to “challenge,” we reframe obstacles as opportunities for learning and growth. Challenges invite us to take on a puzzle, to learn from our horse, and to view each moment as a chance for improvement, rather than as a flaw in the horse’s behaviour or temperament.

Traditionally, problems are often seen as issues needing quick solutions, leading to immediate fixes rather than deeper exploration. For example, if a horse’s head carriage is very high while being ridden, or if there is head tossing, this “problem” might be addressed by adding a martingale to restrict the movement. While this may appear to solve the issue by preventing the high head position, it doesn’t address why the horse is carrying their head that way in the first place. When approached as a “challenge” instead, we’re encouraged to investigate potential causes—could the horse be reacting to discomfort, needing more time to develop balance, or responding to tension from the rider? This shift in perspective allows us to work with the horse’s natural responses, finding solutions that address the root of the behaviour rather than relying on equipment/aids to enforce a temporary fix.