Let your horse be responsible for his actions . Don't protect him. A mistake is really a blessing in disguise, because every time your horse makes a mistake and you correct him, it's one less mistake he will make in the future. The more you try and protect him from making a mistake, I guarantee the more mistakes he will make - and they will be a lot worse and will come when you least expect them. Horses have a very natural desire to be controlled or led .
Horses always follow a leader in the pasture.
However, if you don't want to be the leader in your relationship with your horse, your horse will gladly step up to the plate. If you want to get that leadership back, most horses are willing to give it up. However, if your horse has been the leader for a long time, he might be reluctant, but not impossible. Every time you let your horse take control, you are teaching your horse this is acceptable . Horses learn through repetition.