Definitely. We have a 4 year old APHA that I keep a good 2 feet from me most of the time, he has to back up when I come in the gate, etc. We have a 11 yo TB that I let come half-way out the gate so I can slip a lead rope over his head. He doesn't even need a halter if I'm just taking him from the paddock to the barn. And I've been known to let my cranky 25 yo bastard actually give me a push with his head.