Testing, and discipline. What side of the fence are you on?

ester said:
There's a line, the line is always consistent, you cross it there will be a consequence. What that consequence is totally depends on he horse!
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I learned mine from Mark Rashid, and I have seen him transform stressheads into quiet compliant horses in a few minutes (horse much prefer to know where they stand).
It's difficult to explain but you have the rope from the halter/headcollar between your two hands. Walk off and if horsey gets within your space (for me it is the area I can cover with outstretched arms) you turn and block them with the rope barrier - move them back if they are already too close.
Do this several times in a confined area and by the third or fourth time most horses have got it. Even the most pushy ones have changed their ways within five or six repeats in my experience - I had one at 17hh, built like a brick **** house, hardly ever handled and it took him 6 repeats. Your timing has to be good and you need eyes in the back of your head :)
You may have to "top up" now and again but only with one or two repeats.
 
It depends on the horse and the situation but consistency is the key to well-mannered horses, IMO. I would not hesitate to move a horse which was either trying to squash me, or simply refusing to comply with an instruction, by giving it a dig with a finger, or an elbow. If a horse threatened to kick (not just a harmless leg lift) it would certainly get a wallop.
However, I also think it is important to investigate why a horse is exhibiting uncharacteristic behaviour. That is most likely to be a result of pain or fear/lack of confidence.

The relationship between a horse and the owner/handler/rider should be a partnership with mutual respect with the horse set up to succeed.
 
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Tbh I don't often have to reprimand them. I find growling is the most effective, and a sharp elbow or pointy thumb for any barging. Neither will get ahead when being led...and if they did, when they were younger, I just stopped and pushed them back until they learnt that no forward motion was happening until they were in the right place.
I find slapping to be more painful to me than effective on the horse.
 
I tend to grumble and growl at mine or on the rare ocassaion I have needed to, slapped them on the neck. I'm not in to hitting with anything , although I've used a headcollar in defence once from my pony who went for me. Most of the time me and my boys rub along nicely.
 
My horse used to be rude when being led, would drag you all over the place, walk into you etc. Now he is much better after being constantly corrected but he is cheeky so he will spot a weakness a mile off and take advantage. Whether or not he will get over that I am not sure but he knows instantly if my mum leads him that he has the upper hand as she is worried incase he stands on her again.

For ridden it depends on what he does and his behaviour for how I persuade or tell him off. He used to nap a lot and after a few times of him being kicked hard he gave up on that idea. The spinning stopped too. Now if he naps its out of fear of something so I persuade him by keeping my leg on and talking to him. He gets over it and we carry on as normal. Not really a telling off though more just a reassurance for him that he won't die just because a cat is beside the fence.
 
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