Predator Behaviour

When predators - we humans, get scared, confused, mad, frustrated or hurt, the ´hole under the tail´ gets tight, the feet do not move, they dig in, they freeze and the `claws´ go in.
Specific reactions (in horse people) are: the hands close quickly and lock onto the reins, the legs clamp to the horse´s sides, the belly tightens, the seat tightens, breathing shuts down, they don´t blink because they can´t think, they take on the fight or defensive response (fetal position), they shout, growl, hit, kick, pull, jerk, yank, and their compete to win or `dominance reflexes´come into play.
Aggression has an attitude of punishment or attack and an emotion of anger, frustration or fear. Because of this, the timing is often late there is a distinct lack of phases just one big Phase 4!
Aggression, no matter how mild or servere, is ineffective iwth horses because even if you achieve the result you want, you lose the horse´s trust and respect, He´ll mentally and emotionally shut you out, bracing this mind and body against you.
Some examples of aggression are represented in actions such as pulling on a horse with a chain shank when he doesn´t lead well, or smacking him across the nose when he tries to bite you. The horse feels your anger or frustrations which increases his insecurity and resentment, so instead of the behaviour going away, it gets worse.
Horses are simple. But they´re only simple if you truly invest yourself in learning about them...not how to sit and hold the reins, what leg to put where... but more about what makes them tick, what´s important to them, how they think, why they do what they do, and how to gain their trust and confidence. When you have this kind of savvy you´ll never get frustrated or run out of answers again.