What is meant by a horse respecting your lead?

[showqa]

I want to know what you guys expect of your horses in terms of respect.

Further to my post about my awful loader of a horse, I was mulling over things and the terms " leader" and "respect" come up time and again.

Well here's the thing, he observes my space, he walks in line with my shoulder on the lead, he stops when I stop, he backs up when I ask him to, he picks up his feet when asked, he NEVER kicks, bites or tries to intimidate, he stands still for grooming/farrier/tacking up. He moves away from me when I go to him with his feed, under saddle he is responsive, relaxed, and progressing well. So, exactly what would a horse be doing if he DIDN'T see you as the leader/respect you?? Because based on all of this he does respect me but still won't get on the flaming lorry. Thanks all.

 

[Megibo]

IMO if a horse didn't respect you they would push you around, bite, nip, barge etc etc threaten to kick and so on. much like if you observe how in a group of horses how the alpha treats the horses around them.

 

[showqa]

Well that's what I would think. But why then, when the subject of difficult loaders comes up, is it often put down to the horse not respecting the handler when there's little evidence to show it (EXCEPT the reluctance to load!) Confused!

 

[Megibo]

just because a horse respects you won't automatically cure it of any fears/stubborness about loading.
this was proved with my mum's old mare. sure she respected my mum but was stubborn old bat to load, in the end we got a certain knack to it

 

[Paint Me Proud]

i agree with the above - my boy has excellent manners and is very respectful of me and my commands however he is still an awkward loader.

He will follow, back up, halt and stand etc perfectly in front and around the lorry but as soon as i ask him to step up onto the ramp he plants. He will go on after a few minutes with some help from behind after some stubbornness but once on he again resorts back to lovely manners.