While I encourage us all to reflect on how little pressure we can apply in our training, I believe the criteria for judging the amount of pressure to use or not to use is NOT in how loud is our energy. Pressure is not the enemy of good horsemanship - no matter what source the pressure comes from (positive or negative reinforcement). It’s in how effective it is in opening and maintaining the conversation between us and our horse. If we do too little, a horse will ignore us. If we do too much, a horse will be obedient because it will be afraid not to be obedient. If we get it just right we will have the best relationship, the most willing performance and so much fun.