Any1 got any tips on training horse to back out of your space?

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Xanty

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My 2 year old is very confident and in your face and always stands in my personal space. Im trying to teach him to back up out of my space but he will not move!! Ive tried wiggling lead rope and gradually increasing presure, ive tried putting my hand on his chest to push him back, pushing his nose trying to make myself look big and scary and made scary noises but he will not budge. He sometimes even tries to bite if Im stood in front pushing his chest. So far Ive only used a regular headcollar.

Does any1 have any suggestions of how I can get him to understand what I want him to do. I think that once I can get him out of my space when I want to it will help to overcome lots of problems.
 
I think you need to think in phases of firmness to get your horse responding to you. Start with as light as you possibly can. So if you want to push him back from his chest, push his personal space backwards before you actually make contact with his hair. If you get in the habit of doing this every single time he will get really really light in not too much time. Then gradually increase the pressure until you get a response.
If he responds but it's not the desired response e.g. he goes sideways not backwards, keep the pressure the same rather than increasing it. If he ignores you, increase the pressure slowly until he has to pay attention. Be fair - give him every chance to try out responses but don't let him ignore you. Go up to whatever level of pressure you need to to get a response. If he's trying to bite, can you use a stick to push on his chest until he learns that the appropriate response is to back up not to bite? Maybe a jumping whip would be better than a schooling whip as it's less bendy and you can feel how much pressure you're applying more easily.
I hope that helps.
 
Thanks il give it a go, I think I need to be more consistent and not release the pressure until he moves back I tend to do if for a few mins and wen I get no response I give up.
 
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