Conflict is created when we make a horse do stuff that is not its idea to do. Conflict is avoided when the stuff we want our horse do is the same as the stuff they want to do.
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.