Overview
This document introduces the fundamental principle of the Art of Natural Dressage (AND): before asking anything from a horse, a human must first become interesting and inspiring. The goal is to shift from training through pressure to fostering a voluntary, mutual relationship where the horse chooses to engage.
Key Concepts
• No Demands, Just Presence: The first “exercise” is not for the horse, but for the human—to learn how to be with the horse without asking anything.
• Becoming Interesting: Instead of using pressure or food rewards, the goal is for the horse to want to engage because the human is fun and inspiring.
• Voluntary Interaction: The horse should approach of its own choice, signaling trust and engagement.
• Gradual Progression: The transition from passive presence to active engagement happens naturally over multiple sessions.
Practical Steps
1. Do Nothing: Spend time in the horse’s space without asking anything—sit, walk, or engage in your own activity (e.g., playing with a ball).
2. Reward Interest: If the horse shows curiosity, acknowledge it with attention but do not immediately ask for exercises.
3. Encourage Playfulness: The horse should see being with the human as enjoyable, not as a chore.
4. Avoid Overtraining: Once the horse chooses to engage, keep interactions short and enjoyable to maintain enthusiasm.
Discussions & Additional Insights
• Some horses naturally engage quickly, while others (depending on breed, background, or past experiences) may take longer.
• Mirroring techniques—where the human subtly copies the horse’s movements—can be effective in building trust.
• Breeding, past handling, and temperament influence how easily a horse engages with people.
Takeaway
The first step in AND is to build a foundation of voluntary interaction. When a horse genuinely wants to be with a person, training becomes effortless and based on mutual enjoyment rather than force or reward-driven motivation.