5/5 Recoining Equine Vocabulary: Change "Push Through It" to "Let's Revisit The Plan"
If I had a pound for every time an instructor has said, “Don’t let it take the mick, push through it,” I’d be a millionaire. This familiar advice often reflects a mindset of enforcing compliance rather than understanding the horse’s behaviour. In traditional training, the phrase “push through it” is often used when horses show resistance. Whilst we all aspire to achieve excellent results with our equestrian companions, “push through it” doesn’t lend itself to understanding why a horse behaves in this manner. Instructors have even, on occasion, gone as far as to say, “smack them through it.” Such an attitude raises immediate welfare concerns and reflects a limited mindset in approaching horses. “Why” is the most fundamental question we can ask when faced with challenging behaviours, yet it’s often met with a simplistic answer: “You have a naughty horse” or “You have a stubborn horse.”
If we truly consider the depth of the question “why,” it becomes evident that superficial answers like “naughty” or “stubborn” lead us down a dead end, leaving us no closer to understanding why our equine partner exhibits certain behaviours. This oversimplified response speaks volumes about the intelligence—or lack thereof—in our approach when working with our horses.
This mindset can foster a dismissive attitude towards a horse's discomfort or anxiety, potentially causing physical or psychological stress. Replacing “push through it” with “let’s revisit the plan” encourages an open and reassessing approach. If a horse appears resistant or uncomfortable, this phrase invites us to consider the reasons behind the behaviour and to adjust our approach as needed. It emphasises patience and flexibility, respecting the horse’s experience and adapting our methods, rather than pushing forward without consideration.
“Let’s revisit the plan” opens the door to a more constructive and compassionate way of addressing challenging behaviours. It allows equestrians to learn and grow, deepening their understanding of their equine partners. This approach encourages riders to consider broader possibilities, such as pain, discomfort, contextual triggers, muscular imbalances, and other underlying factors that may influence a horse’s responses. By adopting “let’s revisit the plan,” we create a mindset that respects the horse’s experience, transforming each challenge into an opportunity for insight and progress. This is a more holistic, respectful, and effective way to work with our horses, fostering a true partnership based on empathy, patience, and continuous learning.
