07/26/2026
I work with students and horses from both ends of the spectrum and I agree that it can produce the same type of horses that lack confidence, cannot self regulate and have a hard time adapting, especially, when they are in new situations. I find understanding herd dynamics and working with horses at liberty through understanding their “herd rules and language” helps to find the balance.
I’ve worked with many troubled horses—horses who lacked confidence, lived in fear, responded with aggression, struggled to adapt to change, or found everyday experiences like turnout, herd life, or unfamiliar situations overwhelming.
Some of those horses had experienced genuinely poor handling. They had been overexposed and undereducated, rushed through experiences they weren’t prepared for, or handled without patience or understanding. Some had been treated more like machines whose value came only from what they could perform.
Others came from almost the opposite environment. They had been deeply loved and carefully protected, with every effort made to keep them comfortable and safe.
What has fascinated me over the years is that these two very different histories can sometimes produce surprisingly similar horses. Both may struggle to process new information, become rigid in their routines, have difficulty adapting to change, and lack genuine confidence.
Fortunately, most horse owners are not intentionally cruel. Most people love their horses deeply and want the very best for them. If they find themselves working with a horse that has experienced abuse, it often happened before that horse came into their life.
What many of us can unintentionally do, however, is create anxiety or dependency by shielding our horses from every challenge instead of helping them learn how to navigate challenge successfully.
That can be a difficult idea to consider, because it comes from a place of kindness. We naturally want to prevent discomfort. We want our horses to feel safe, secure, and happy, and those are good instincts.
The challenge is learning to balance protection with stewardship.
Good stewardship isn’t just about creating comfort today. It’s about helping our horses develop the skills they’ll need to face the rest of their lives with confidence. Sometimes that means allowing a manageable amount of discomfort while providing the guidance, education, and support they need to work through it successfully.
Confidence isn’t built by avoiding every difficult moment. It’s built by experiencing challenges that are appropriate, understandable, and solvable.
I think that’s encouraging, because it means most of us already have the most important ingredient: we care deeply about our horses. The next step is simply learning how to channel that love into education that creates not only comfort, but resilience, curiosity, and lasting confidence.
