In the world of equestrian sport, we speak endlessly about partnership, patience, and the journey. Yet, if you take a step back and observe what’s really happening in the warm-up rings, on social media, or behind closed stable doors, there’s an uncomfortable truth creeping in: we’re in a hurry.
Recently, several high-profile incidents have brought to light a worrying trend, riders putting undue pressure on their horses, pushing too hard, too soon, in pursuit of results. So the question we must ask, honestly and without ego, is: why?
Is it poor decision-making? Is it ignorance? Or are we simply becoming a product of a fast-paced, results-driven world that doesn’t know how to wait?
The Instant Gratification Trap
We live in a culture that celebrates speed, fast success, overnight fame, instant likes. Scroll through Instagram or TikTok and you’ll see riders flaunting results, rosettes, and picture-perfect performances. But what you often don’t see are the years of struggle, the days when nothing worked, the quiet moments where true partnership was built.
This culture of instant gratification seeps into the arena. Riders, owners, and even some trainers feel the pressure to prove, to show progress, to win, to move up a level even when the horse isn’t ready. And that mindset leads to shortcuts: skipping foundational work, ignoring red flags, and forcing outcomes that should be earned slowly, with respect and trust.
Lack of Knowledge or Lack of Awareness?
Of course, not every case is down to ego or ambition. Sometimes, it’s simply lack of education. Some riders genuinely don’t understand the signs of mental or physical stress in their horses. They confuse compliance with willingness, energy with readiness. The horse is doing the job, but is it doing it with you, or in spite of you?
This is where the mindset conversation becomes critical. Mindset isn’t just about performance psychology, it’s about awareness, empathy, and responsibility. The more emotionally intelligent a rider becomes, the more they tune into their horse, the better choices they make.
We need to foster curiosity and self-reflection in our sport. Not just “How can I get better?” but “How does my horse feel about this work today?” “What am I missing?” “Am I leading with ego or empathy?”
The Pressure to Produce
Let’s not ignore the financial side. Horses are expensive. Owners want results. Sponsors want visibility. Young riders feel the need to ‘make it’ before they’re out of their teens. And professionals? Many are judged not by the quality of the horsemanship but by the quantity of wins.
So, yes the pressure is real. But pressure alone doesn’t break horses. It’s how we respond to it that matters. Do we become reactive, rushing the process? Or do we stay grounded, holding our line even when it costs us short-term gains?
The Future of Equestrian Sport - A Mindset Shift
The future of our sport depends not on better feed, fancier arenas, or newer training methods. It depends on mindset.
We need to return to why we ride in the first place. Not to conquer, but to connect. Not to dominate, but to understand. That shift from control to cooperation will define whether equestrianism evolves or erodes.
Let’s start teaching mental resilience and emotional literacy as core skills, not optional extras. Let’s encourage riders to ask better questions of themselves and their horses. Let’s celebrate patience as much as podiums.
Because the horse always tells the truth. And if we’re willing to listen, we’ll hear whether we’re building something sustainable or simply speeding toward burnout, for both horse and rider.
Here Are My Final Thoughts
Are we in too much of a rush? Yes, in many cases, we are.
But it’s not too late to course correct. And it starts with mindset, yours, mine, and everyone who sits in the saddle with the intent to do right by the horse. Results will come. But let them be a byproduct of trust, not a demand made under pressure.
The question isn’t whether you’ll win — it’s who you’ll become on the way there.
— Neil Foster, Equestrian Mindset Coach