Teaching a Horse to Respect Personal Space

alpha the leader demonstrates dominance by getting in the personal space of the other horse and quickly makes him move away.
If you say Thats just horses being horses youre right. But your horse will treat you like another horse if you let him. Hell do this with dominant body language such as the actions listed earlier. A horse without personal space can be dangerous to people.
Because of the horses size and strength safety has to be No. 1 in horse ownership says Palm. When horses dont have manners they can become unsafe even if its not intentional.
Its up to you to teach your horse without personal space to respect you and to see you as the leader.
On the ground dont allow the horse into your personal space unless you intentionally invite him in. You have to establish and maintain the boundary.
Change It Up
Teaching this starts with the most basic interactions with your horse catching leading and grooming.
If the horse is used to taking charge initially you might have to be assertive in making him move away says Palm. Were talking manners not punishment or making the horse afraid of you. But you have to draw a line and the horse has to be obedient to your commands.
When a horse doesnt respect her space especially if it could become dangerous Palm uses her hands to make a firm shooing gesture toward his head and uses a stern tone with words such as move it no or away.
As soon as he moves out of her space she stops the hand movements softening her tone as a reward. She repeats as needed just as the alpha horse shows dominance as often as necessary.
What matters is the tone of your voice not the word explains Palm.
How Are You Leading?
Many people slip on the halter

and start walking without putting any thought into how theyre leading their horse. Leading correctly is a clear way to assert leadership.
Never let the horse walk behind youits not safe cautions Palm. He can push you with his head or if something startles him he can jump right into you.
As Palm explains the horse should walk beside you and no closer than an arms length away. Your shoulder should be parallel to his throatlatch or the side of his head which should face straight ahead allowing you to easily see his eye and ear and where his attention is focused.
Too
many owners are always underneath their horses heads says Palm. Theyre too close and pull the horse with their hand on the lead right under his head. The more you use the lead to pull on the horse the more you give him the opportunity to lean on push or pull you.
Thats why you want to control his position with your body position and voice commands she adds. Your touch should give direction rather than pulling on the lead.
When teaching any horse to lead Palm uses a cluck sound to move forward and an inhand whip directed toward the hindquarters.
If you need forward movement step back to his shoulder and direct the inhand whip to his hip to send him forward she says. When he responds move back into position walking with his head parallel to your shoulder.
She uses whoa for stopping but owners can choose different commands as long as theyre consistent. Instead of pulling back on the lead put the inhand whip in front of the horses face like a stop sign while giving your stop or whoa command.
If he gets too close use a pulsating touch with your hand to direct him away suggests Palm. Touch the side of his headmidway between his eye and nostriland use the pressure of a pulsating touch to move him away. Dont release this pulsating pressure until he turns in the direction youre asking. When he takes even one step that way release the touch and reward him with your voice.
Palm encourages you to practice leading and turning on both sides of your horse and in both directions.
What About Treats?
Do you have to forego feeding treats for your horse to respect your space?
No says Palm but she emphasizes to treat the right way at the right time and for the right
reasons and not as a bribe. She warns that overtreating can lead to pushiness and your tone of voice should be used more than treats.
Remember that praise from your voice and touch is often enough reward says Palm.
She notes that if you really want to give a treat after a good ride dont do it as soon as you dismount or when youre grooming.
Wait until youre completely done and turning the horse out or putting him in his stall says Palm.
If you find yourself backing up when offering a treat because your horse is on top of you this is
a clear sign you need to rethink how youre handling the treat scenario.
You should invite your horse in for affection or a treat he doesnt get to demand it says Palm. A better way to give a treat is to put it in the horses bucket instead of handfeeding.
When a horse is mannerly and obedient youre setting the precedent of having safe enjoyable times with that horse on the ground and when youre riding she adds. Your horse will be a better friend if he respects you with manners and obedience