Think about driving a car with faulty brakes. Instead of repairing them, you tie a heavy crowbar to the emergency brake and pull hard every time you need to stop. This might stop the car, but it’s risky and doesn’t solve the real issue.
We often do something similar when working with horses.
We dream of those exciting, fast gallops in the open. But when our horse gets “strong” and takes off, instead of fixing the real issue, we go to the tack shop for a bigger bit. We look for more leverage, gags, or tighter nosebands. We want stronger “brakes” right away.
It might seem like this works, but there’s a big problem.
Falling Into the Shortcut Trap
Using harsh equipment to stop a horse doesn’t actually solve the problem. Instead, it relies on pain or the fear of pain to hide the horse’s anxiety or excitement. (Rogers & Bell, 2022)
When we immediately reach for stronger equipment, we skip two key parts of horsemanship: proper training and helping the horse get used to new experiences (habituation) (McLean, 2018). While a small part of a horse’s calmness might come from its natural temperament, most of the time it’s because the horse has had great training and truly “knows its job” (Choi et al., 2026)
A horse doesn’t learn its job overnight. It takes time and practice (Holcomb et al., 2021):
- Many hours of calm, repeated practice.
- Gradually getting the horse used to new and exciting places by walking and trotting before ever asking for a gallop.
- Allowing the horse to stay calm, instead of rushing or forcing them into situations they aren’t ready for. horse requires severe equipment just to stay under control; it isn’t a sign of a “bad” horse. It is a loud, clear sign that a vital step in their foundational training was either rushed or skipped entirely.
What Are We Teaching the Next Generation?
This issue becomes especially important when we think about kids starting to ride.
Young riders need safe, clear instruction. They shouldn’t be matched with a green or overwhelmed horse that needs harsh equipment to stay under control. (Equestrian Activities: Manage the Risks, 2024)
Safety in riding doesn’t come from pain or force. If a child can only stop a pony by pulling hard on a strong bit that hurts, we’re teaching them the wrong lesson, even if we don’t mean to. We’re showing kids that control is about force, not about working together and communicating. (Cook & Kibler, 2019, pp. 551-560)
Real safety comes from learning, patience, and respect. If a horse is too strong for the rider with gentle equipment, the answer isn’t a harsher tool. Instead, slow down, go back a step, and spend more time on training.
Let’s stop searching for shortcuts to fast rides and start valuing the slow, rewarding process of teaching a horse its job. The brakes you create through training will always work, but the ones you buy at the tack shop won’t last. (McPherson & Schmidt, 2026).
If you are struggling with “control” of your horse in any setting, I can help. I offer bit & bridle fitting, which includes a full-body assessment to help detect other problems and refer as needed. I also offer behavioural sessions to work with you and your horse to overcome the specific issues you are having (once pain is ruled out as a cause).
References
Rogers, S. & Bell, C. (2022). Perceptions of Fear and Anxiety in Horses as Reported in Interviews with Equine Behaviourists. Animals. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12212904
McLean, D. A. (2018). Habituation 6 Ways to Harness a Natural Learning Process. PDF article on habituation process and desensitisation techniques section. https://old.horsesandpeople.com.au/sites/default/files/articles/1809%20Habituation%20A.McLean.pdf
Choi, Y., Jung, Y., Wickens, C. L. & Yoon, M. (2026). Effects of Social Interactions and Foundational Training on Behavior, Temperament, and Hormone Levels in Weanling Horses. Animals 16(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16010142
Holcomb, F. R., Multhaup, K. S., Erwin, S. R. & Daniels, S. E. (2021). Spaced training enhances equine learning performance. Animal Cognition. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-021-01580-7
(2024). Equestrian Activities: Manage the Risks. United Educators. https://www.ue.org/risk-management/student-activities-and-organizations/equestrian-activities-manage-the-risks/
Cook, W. R. & Kibler, M. (2019). Behavioural assessment of pain in 66 horses, with and without a bit. Equine veterinary Education 31(10), pp. 551-560. https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.12916
McPherson, G. & Schmidt, M. (May 18, 2026). Training in the Right Way: Tack vs. Training Problems. paragraph 5. https://www.horsenation.com/2026/05/18/training-in-the-right-way-tack-vs-training-problems/
