today I lost the plot!!

[Dragonmaster]

Horses can read a person's energy levels and respond to it. It is very good when being around horses to be aware of this, as with some you need to really lower your energy or they are spooky and run off, and with others you need to up your energy just to get a response.
By getting angry, Holi, that is exactly what you did, and the horse respected that.
In future you can up the energy without the emotion.

You can play around with this concept when you are around some horses, try standing square and really pushing your 'aura' or energy field outwards. See what the horses do, see how each individual reacts. Then pull your energy field inwards and be quiet while still having a confident stance.
And if you are going to a crowded place like a shopping centre, push your energy outwards and watch how somehow people just don't jostle you or get in your way. People also read energy, they just don't know that they are doing it.

[holi]

What an interesting discussion. At the moment she is off games as we are waiting for a) a new saddle that fits! and b) the vet (not necessarily in that order!) as her stifle keeps locking quite badly all of a sudden (we think due to getting cast). Anyway I'm walking her out instead either in hand or long reining. I prefer to have someone with me when long reining as I di get water skied a bit when grass etc proved too muc of an attraction but in hand we are walking miles. Its great for watching her reactions to things but also for changing my body posture and energy levels and seeing what the reaction is from her. I've discovered that yes sometimes she does need firm control, but the timing is the thing because if you don't drop it again fast enough she starts to stress as if 'mum's uptight so somethings wrong'! Plus its great to go out and spend time together and we both get exercised as well!