• A good leader takes on more responsibility than their subordinate. You have the responsibility to know your horse's strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, habits, physical limitations. You have the responsibility to become the best rider you can be, provide the best care and handling you can.
• A good leader listens to the horse, then takes the horse's feedback into consideration and acts accordingly. He does not approach his horse with a set regimen and expect the horse to fit that regimen no matter what. He understands how to read the horse well enough to find the right exercise, in the right amount, at the right time.
• A good leader accepts responsibility when things don't go as planned.
• A good leader tries to see things from the horse's perspective. Sometimes I hear people refer to their horse as being "disrespectful". In most cases, the horse is just confused by the human's lack of clarity. This would be obvious if they could see things from the horse's perspective.
• A good leader can give the horse support and confidence when the horse gets worried.
• A good leader is able to observe, remember, compare, and make a sensible plan.
• A good leader is flexible and ready to adjust to fit whatever situation might arise.
• A good leader will set his horse up for success and makes him feel like a winner!
• A good leader allows the horse to think for himself.

  

• A good leader is clear, fair, and consistent.
• Through good feel, timing, judgment, and skill a good leader will inspire his horse to want to do their best.
• A good leader shows his horse love, respect, and appreciation.
• A good leader has the humility to know that they cannot appoint themselves as a leader - they have to EARN it - it
  is something the horse may, or may not bestow upon you.

   

And, before you put too much pressure on yourself, remember, you can have a fantastic relationship without having attained the all-high status of a true "leader". I think there are very few people who can truly be a worthy leader in their horse's eyes.