So here goes my list of how things will be different when I am made Emperor of the Universe.
Watching Horse Training Videos
If the horse has a soft-focus, a quiet mind, can follow the human's feel with no trouble, and is okay to have its thoughts interrupted with a new idea, then I want to know more about the trainer, the philosophy, and methods. If those things are working well for a horse, the method can’t be wrong for that horse at that time.
Learning Resources
The Evolution of Learning
Starting A Horse Bareback
I believe there is no problem with what any friend described as laying across a horse and petting it. In fact, I do this a lot myself and consider it an excellent idea before throwing a leg over and riding. But riding a horse bareback and directing it at a time when it is completely unsure and worried about the idiot on its back, seems unnecessary and maybe even a bad idea in some instances.