A horse can like you and not trust you...
A horse can like you and have no respect for you...
The ultimate goal in my mind, is working towards my horse liking AND listening to me (trust & respect) under any circumstance.
The "liking" part isn't necessary for safety or function, I've seen plenty of horses that were calm and content doing their job without necessarily having a "connection" with their human counterpart. But in the end, I think it makes for a more wholesome and enjoyable interaction for both, and I also believe the horse tries harder when it knows you care.
A balanced approach is always best for the horse
~Kalley
