When I recall my first horse coming home from the local auction. I knew nothing about training horses. I am reminded of the things I was taught by a few friends. I learned from them that in order to get my horse to trust me I had to force him into submission, run him until he was tired, and give him no choice but to want to be with me. I don't know how you get friends but that isn't usually my first choice, and if you did, how long would they stick around.
In the past few years I have been exposed to many more horse training methods. Many of those methods are successful but most of my influence comes from the many wise people who make up Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center. We were taught a more "horse friendly" method to give the horse more of a choice to be our partner. Starting free in an open arena to let your horse be a horse, run, play, buck, whatever it wants to do. Since we are coming onto their world we need to interact with them on a level they understand. So by using our pressures and becoming part of their herd they will choose to allow us into their world. Ron Meredith the owner of Meredith Manor called it using "Methodically applied directional pressures a horse can understand." Its like being stuck in a country where no one speaks your language. Who do you want to learn from the mean, nasty guy who pokes, yells, or even hits you when you don't get it right. Or someone who's going to learn a little of your language to help you learn faster. Your horse is stuck in your world and doesn't speak your language. Who's going to teach him.