I like to think about introducing myself to a horse as positively as I would another person. Normally speaking, horses are assaulted and abused. People trap them, force them into squeeze chutes, tie them up, tie them down, tie up a leg, blindfold them, throw a saddle on, get on and ride the buck out of them. For a moment, let's consider that the horse in question is already ridable.
Most riders just saddle up and get on, as if no preparation is needed.
They kick to go, pull to stop and yank the horse around to turn. And if the poor horse objects and misbehaves at this kind of treatment, then there's a whole armory of gadgets and gogues to choose from at the tack shop to shut his mouth, tie down his head, and chain his brain to correct this behavior and have him submit to out will. In my view, studded reins and chains are just downright cruel to a horse's mouth. But, hey, it's normal, so very few people even question it. Yet with a little of the Friendly Game, so much of this forceful, mechanical equipment and the military attitude that goes with it can be avoided for a more positive result.