The Not-So-Scientific Horse Training Challenge_Personal Space

I thought we mastered this yesterday! Mastery with these horses vacillates between fully owned and partially realized.
To be clear I dont intend the concept of personal space to give us reasons to not ask these horses to use their bodies in the ways we wish. I bring it up instead to help riders be more patient with the process. With most horses physical progress is measurable daily. They respond comfortably and willingly to the tasks we undertake to make them more athletic functional and healthier.
Other horses those with a strong personal space can only be measured month to month. They initially wiggle away from rather than respond to our cues. They fidget in the postures that should bring them relaxation and ease. They tighten their bodies against any kind of stimulus rather than gain better alignment. My own horse Corazon has been my most convincing case for personal space and its influence on training.
As a breed Andalusians tend to freeze up their backs rather than allow movement to swing through them. On top of that Corazon is clever and sensitive and very adept at taking care of himself which translates to not always offering up his body to be shaped as Im trying to. Some days are harmonious easy and successful. Other days though feel like a constant negotiation with me reminding and convincing him that engaging his back really IS good for him. This can get frustrating.
When I feel that frustration however I remind myself that this trait this protection of his personal space is what makes Corazon such a strong horse and what keeps him not prone to injury. He is incredibly surefooted and aware of his surroundings he adapts quickly to situations that could otherwise escalate and cause harm. One time I found him rubbing on a
strand of barbed wire that I didnt realize was in his pasture and saw him begin to get tangled up in it. Immediately he paused adjusted his neck motions and carefully removed himself from harm. I stood there amazed knowing most other horses would have started scrambling and cut themselves badly.
I remind myself of these instances when I struggle with Corazons personal space. This helps me see that rather than be a struggle his selfpreservation is actually a gift to both of us. I cannot get caught up thinking his training will be as sequential as the timelines offered in books and training manuals. As I navigate his personal space our progress can seem circuitous lurching or just plain halted. And thats okay. In fact if there is any truth in the notion our horses mirror us I have to admit that my own personal space is pretty big too.