If you’ve ever had a horse step into your space, barge past you, or lean heavily on you, you’re not alone. A “pushy” horse isn’t being rude, they’re communicating. And often, they’re asking one simple question:

“Who’s leading here?”

At Standfast, we don’t meet pushiness with punishment. We meet it with clarity, calm energy, and consistency. Because most of the time, a pushy horse isn’t trying to dominate; they’re trying to find out if they can trust you to lead.

“Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu – Adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly.”

At Standfast, horsemanship isn’t just about riding — it’s a way of life. It’s about building trust, understanding body language, staying present, and learning to lead with patience, not pressure. Whether you’re guiding a horse through the bush or simply standing alongside one, you’re entering into a relationship that asks you to show up honestly, calmly, and with intention.

This is especially powerful for tamariki. Teaching kids to ride builds more than physical skill — it teaches resilience, confidence, empathy, and responsibility. A horse doesn’t respond to ego, but to energy. When our rangatahi learn to ride, they’re also learning how to breathe through fear, set boundaries, listen deeply, and trust themselves. These are life lessons that stretch far beyond the saddle.

“Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu – Adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly.”

At Standfast, horsemanship isn’t just about riding — it’s a way of life. It’s about building trust, understanding body language, staying present, and learning to lead with patience, not pressure. Whether you’re guiding a horse through the bush or simply standing alongside one, you’re entering into a relationship that asks you to show up honestly, calmly, and with intention.

This is especially powerful for tamariki. Teaching kids to ride builds more than physical skill — it teaches resilience, confidence, empathy, and responsibility. A horse doesn’t respond to ego, but to energy. When our rangatahi learn to ride, they’re also learning how to breathe through fear, set boundaries, listen deeply, and trust themselves. These are life lessons that stretch far beyond the saddle.