Energy in a horse flows both ways. Front to Back and Back to Front.
When a horse is stretching - their chemistry is possitive - they feel good! (ie. when grazing)
If we are very conscious of this, we can really help our horses to maintain a good feeling in their bodies. Get them calm, keep them calm, through acknowledgement and acceptance not through confrontation, or the feelings and actions that come with frustration.
When we move our horse from the hindquarters (energy from back) they will be more relaxed. When we move our horse from the nose/head first - we can bring up the flight/fight instinct, which in turn causes stress.
A horses behaviour can depend completely on how you make them feel.
Are you listening to them, are you engaging with them.
There are two types of contact.
Hands - on the nose/head of horse
Pulling on the nose (whether from the ground or in the saddle) Can activate the fight/flight instinct.
Legs - on the body of horse (or directing the body from the ground)
Moving the body first will create more relaxation. Always use the leg first when riding and follow up with the rein. When turning our horse through our seat and legs we are bending through our body and their body.
In Action:
If our horse invades our space or goes to walk off the first reaction of the majority of people is to grab hold of the reins or halter and push/pull them back to where they want. If we pull the face, the horse feels this as aggressive.
Alternate: push the hip/hind quarters around. This will encourage calmness in your horse.
If you look at horses in the paddock, if they want to move another horse, they push on the body. When they are playing or fighting, it comes from the head.
Always look to create good feelings in your horses body.
Ps. I will create a video.