The basis for teaching a horse to respond to a cue

From Mugwump:
http://mugwumpchronicles.blogspot.com/2008/07/there-has-been-some-killer-input-on.html

When I begin to train a horse the first thing I clear up is how I expect it to lead. Which is by following behind me, with plenty of slack in the lead rope.Fluffy can't go past my shoulder.Fluffy can't pull on the lead rope.Fluffy can't touch me.Pretty simple, huh?You wouldn't believe how much trouble most of the little Fluffies get in that first few days.I stick to my three step system in all of these matters.1.I give the cue I would like Fluffy to respond to.2. I give a stronger cue, the only warning they get.3. I make it happen.I do mean make it happen, by the way. I don't mean repeating the warning cue over and over, or starting over. I mean I get big, swing ropes, swat butts, get out a crop.....Whatever it takes to get Fluffy where I want her.The instant Fluffy complies, I immediately relax, immediately assume Fluffy will be perfect forever and ever, amen, and continue on my merry way.I rarely talk to them.Horses are pretty nonverbal in their communication.I try to be also.You will never hear me say, "Fluffy, back. Aw, c'mon, back. Fluffy, back. Back. BACK! BACK!Dammit Fluffy, I said BACK!"If I am on the ground, I ask for my back by stepping into Fluffy's space, and putting my hand on her chest. That's step one.Then I place my hand on her nose, push it toward her neck, and poke her in the chest with my other hand. That's her warning cue.Then I grab her pretty hard by the nose, SHOVE her back, and kick her front hooves to unlock those sticky, stinking front legs. (Warning, careful how hard you kick, and only the hoof, not the legs) I make it happen. That's step three.That's just an example. I don't believe you can create a gentle horse unless Fluffy knows there is a consequence to noncompliance.I don't care what your method is. I don't care if the consequence is more work, or a slap on the butt. There does need to be a consequence that your horse understands.Witholding your love, or carrots, isn't going to cut it.Fluffy will just stomp over your love, and you, to get the carrot.The Big K told me once, "The only gentle horse is the one you haven't made mad yet."If Fluffy doesn't know that getting mad at you will get her in a deep pile of crap, then you are going to be the one dealing with the pile.To my mind the equation I'm searching for is thisClear, fair treatment, (including discipline) = Respect= Safety.I worry about respect foremost. Interestingly enough, most of the horses I train always give me a friendly greeting when I see them again. Even years later. So we've become friends in spite of it all, or maybe because of it.