Teaching a Horse to Respect Personal Space

There comes a time in every relationship when an honest evaluation is needed and that includes your partnership with your horse. Think about your interactions on a regular basis. Sometimes a horse doesnt know how to respect personal space. Does your horse do any of the following?
Pushes against you when you catch him.
Walks so close when youre leading that he shoves you from behind with his head.
Has stepped on your foot when youre leading or grooming him.
Will swing his body into you when youre grooming him or working with him while tied.

Moves so close to you that sometimes you have to step out of his way to avoid being bumped or stepped on.
Rubs his head on you if he has an itch.
Gets very pushy when theres a treat in your pocket or hands
Whos the Boss?
If you recognize more than one of these behaviors your horse is telling you how he views your relationship. If this is his normal behavior he sees himself as being in charge.
If a horse is being dominant on the ground its going to translate to when you get on his back says trainer and clinician Lynn Palm who is based in Ocala Fla. If he pushes you once next time it will be harder. If he moves into you and you have to take a step away the next time youll have to take three steps.

In addition to her own impressive performance record in the show ring Palms teaching has helped countless horse owners understand how horses communicate through body language.
Palm finds there are two basic reasons that a horse is pushy and disrespectful on the ground
Hes a young horse that hasnt been educated about boundaries or
Hes a horse that doesnt see you as the leader in
the relationship.
You might be thinking that you dont want to be your horses bossyou want to be his friend and partner. But no matter how you view it the horses brain is hardwired to have someone in charge.

Understanding Why
It all goes back to the fact that as prey animals horses instinctively trust a leader to keep them safe. Palm urges owners to watch the herd dynamics of horses at pasture.
It doesnt take long to identify the boss mare or alpha horse. She or he is the horse that all others defer to. If a horse dont show respect to the