Natrlhorse wrote:
If you enjoy getting kicked and living in conflict with your horse, by all means go thump and see if he thumps back, or decides to get evasive, then where does your relationship with that horse go next? Or you could invest in a good coach and have a willing partner, a friend in the horse who will fill in for you when the crap hits the fan, getting some help is probably cheaper than a hospital bill. Take it from someone who has been hurt enough to learn how to appreciate the difference.

From my own experience, I've learned that horses aren't your friend.. All they are really looking for is to be left alone, or in other words they are looking for the pressure to release. They either have respect for you, or they don't. But I'm not saying beat the crap out of them either. I've seen both sides, being too soft, and being too hard. Like Clinton says, the best trainer is a gay man. You have to find the happy medium.