Like most Arabian horses, Echo has an opinion on everything. He needs to know he is heard. When I ask anything of him, his willingness to comply makes our experience successful.
Echo and I went for a trail ride today. While during some rides we will pause and he will graze for awhile, I work to keep Echo's focus on the ride vs. the next mouthful of grass.
As we went down the trail, Echo made it clear he would like to stop and eat at a point where I was ready to turn back toward home. Echo informed me he would not head home yet, he wanted to graze first.
At this point I had a choice. If I escalated my request to prove I was his leader I stood a good chance of Echo bolting back to the barn-with or without me on his back. If I let him graze I was teaching him he was the leader. If I dismounted and led him back to the barn, I would have felt defeated.
So we stood in silence for a few minutes, with me not letting Echo graze, and Echo refusing to move in the hope that I would change my mind.
After a few calming breaths, I talked to Echo. I told him that I had given him a good grooming back at the barn and that I loved him. I then informed him firmly and honestly that we could have such a nice time together if he would cooperate with me for the rest of the ride. Then I asked him again to head home. To my amazement, he turned and walked home as calmly and obligingly as could be.
Horse Wisdom: When you have to force something to prove you are in charge, you have already lost.
