Hi Marleen and thank you!
I have not followed any courses from Emiel Voest so I do not know how he works actually but
...:
Years ago, I think 7, I was at a Horse Event in Holland and I saw Emiel Voest 'freestyle' a horse.
The thing I picked up there was (to my astonishement) how one can have the horse focus on certain moves of your body, just by holding a rope!
So, I hold the rope in my hands and then I make movements with my arms to indicate the rythm, tempo and direction.
But, I do not drive Owen with my rope!
How did I teach him... good question, I did not, Owen just likes to move and he likes to move close to me or around me, so it is very simple.
(allthough I have to say, when someone else tries it, Owen does not oblige...)
With horses like Donanta or Ino who do not like to move (on command or question) I would not swing a rope at them. Of course, you can try ones, but if it does not work, well, it will not work the second time.
So I suggest you play chase the tiger with Donanta, and I will do it with Ino
(and have it filmed!)
And last, I like to have a rope in my hand, just in case. When horses spook or get agressive or to playful and your body is getting sort of in the way, you can use the rope to define your space to hang on to dear life so to speak ha ha !
I hope this will help you
Warm regards,
Josepha