Horsenalities?

Exactly, and most people would tell you the opposite. If the horse wants something, NEVER give it to him because they think that then the horse will be the boss.
But most often that is not the case.
True, there are some horses that are just testing your leadership, but the trick is to be able to tell the difference between a truly dominant horse and one that is just unconfident.
If you can give the horse what he needs, when he needs it, your bond will only be better, the horse will look to you more and you will show yourself as a true leader and not a bossy dictator in what is supposed to be a relationship.

The biggest thing my natural horsemanship experience has taught me is that the horse/human relationship is give and take on both sides. I was trained by a somewhat traditional hunter/jumper coach for two years. Her methods taught me that horses are incabable of collaboration and are always seeking to take advantage. I never thought to question this mindset; I just took it for truth.

I was introduced to the NH mindset around a year ago and was amazed at the responsibility and trust these people placed on their horses. I was re-taught to see my horse as a partner worthy of respect with an opinion worth considering.

I once told my H/J coach that I didn't want to work on my horse's headset anymore. My horse didn't like it, it made her extremely uphappy, and it wasn't worth making her miserable. My coach thought that was crazy. My coach had always said that the more a horse didn't want to do something, you more you had to make them. To prove you're the boss.

So my H/J coach thinks I've jumped into the loony bin and that my horse is going to run me over. Funny enough, my horse has never been more respectful, and we've never been happier together.

It isn't that my H/J coach isn't a good rider... I just want a different relationship with my horse than she does. Being a leader isn't the same as being a bully.

Brighteyes, you are on the right track. When spending time playing with your horse (groundwork) try it at liberty and allow him to leave your presence. Because he's allowed to leave when the pressure is too great he will become more relaxed. My paddock is in my pasture so both gates were left open. When he'd have a "I can't do this" moment and leave he often didn't go far, maybe 50'. I'd turn my back for a minute then turn and beckon him back or go to him. He'd come back to the paddock with me and we'd try again and this time success. I back up a few steps then turn my back to him for a minute. It releases the pressure. We have accomplished so much more by not having the attitude of "my way or the highway"

Now I'm worried my horse had multiple horsenality disorder. This would have been wicked helpful 13 years ago when I first started working with him. He was right brain extrovert. Now he's more a generalized left but it could just be because our relationship has changed over the years I've been working with him.

I think I've come to the conclusion that my horse is a right-brained extrovert, so I'm going to start approaching his training like that. It really helps to put things in a new perspective as to how he might be feeling.

Tell me when you find things that work for your horse! I don't know anyone else with a righted brain extrovert and would love another perspective. :)