When to Push and When to Pause

Soreness and weakness can look the same—but the way you respond to them should be very different. In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia (horse + human physio) and Dr. Rachel Buchholz (equine sports medicine vet) explore how to tell the difference between weakness that requires targeted training and soreness that won’t improve by pushing through. We share how these issues show up in both horses and riders, why they’re often confused, and the best ways to decide when it’s time to pause and recover—or build resilience with the right work. Because knowing the difference is key to long-term performance and soundness.