The word “naughty” is commonly used to describe horses and ponies whose behaviour frustrates us, often without much thought. But in child psychology, this label has largely been abandoned because it judges the individual rather than explaining the behaviour. So what can this teach us about how we view and manage horses and ponies? By shifting away from labels and towards understanding the reasons behind behaviour, we can make better, more welfare-focused decisions.
“Naughty” children
Today most child psychologists, teachers, and parenting experts say it’s better to avoid (or heavily limit) the word “naughty” when referring to children. Why? Firstly, it’s a judgment on the child, not the behaviour they are exhibiting. It’s also a vague term and children often don’t know exactly what “naughty” means in the moment. “You’re being naughty” doesn’t teach them what they should do instead. Children who keep hearing that they are “naughty” often start to act the part even more.
When we say a child is being “naughty” we are referring to them exhibiting a behaviour that at the time/circumstance we consider undesirable or inappropriate or unwanted. It may be frustrating for us or even embarrassing or annoying. Reasons why they may be exhibiting this behaviour or behaviours could include being hungry, tired, overstimulated, attention seeking, testing boundaries, feeling overwhelmed, scared, confused, angry, bored, pain, stressed or copying others.
There are many recognised alternative ways to communicate that you are unhappy with or disapprove of a child’s behaviour, such as
- “That’s not okay/not safe/not kind.”
- “We don’t hit/throw toys/scream in restaurants.”
- “You’re having a hard time listening right now.”
- “That was a silly/wild/bad choice.”
Bottom line
Describe the behaviour, not the child.
“Naughty” Horses and Ponies
Does this raise any parallels when thinking about horses and ponies? If not, it should. A horse or pony does not set out to annoy you by misbehaving or being “naughty”. If they are exhibiting behaviours you don’t want them to then you should be asking why they are doing it and not labelling them as “naughty”. As with children, that “naughty” label can stick and others may start to change the way they treat the horse or pony making the problem worse. Horses may be hungry, tired, cold, hot, scared, confused, in pain, poor vision, lack of exercise, lack of turnout, stressed or even copy what they see others doing.
Instead of vague or judgmental terms like “naughty,” equine experts recommend describing these as “conflict behaviours”—responses that arise when a horse faces competing motivations or discomfort, such as unclear cues from the rider, physical pain, or emotional distress. This framing highlights that the horse isn’t wilfully disobedient but is reacting to internal conflict, often on a spectrum from subtle signs (like tense ears or tail swishing) to more overt ones (such as rearing, bucking, bolting, shying, or mouth opening). By recognising these as conflict behaviours, we prompt a deeper inquiry: Is the horse in pain from ill-fitting tack? Confused by inconsistent training signals? Overwhelmed by a noisy environment?
Labelling the behaviour as “naughty” solves nothing for the horse/pony or the owner/rider. Instead, thinking about why this behaviour may be occurring is the first step to managing it. Is my horse scared? In pain? Scared? Confused? Doesn’t understand what I want? These are probably the most common reasons for unwanted/undesirable behaviours in horses. Labelling them as “naughty” solves nothing.
To communicate more effectively about these issues, consider using alternatives like:
- “That’s a sign of conflict; was I clear in my aids; could that response be pain-related?”
- “My horse is showing tension; I don’t want to escalate that.”
- “That was a reactive response, perhaps due to mixed signals.”
Bottom line
Just as with children, describe the behaviour (e.g. as a conflict response), not the horse. This approach not only reduces stigma but also improves welfare by encouraging veterinary checks, better training methods, or environmental adjustments, ultimately leading to a more harmonious partnership. This attitude puts the onus on the rider, not on the horse!
