Art Of Natural Dressage
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- 1.1 A possible start – Just be with your horse
Overview This document introduces the fundamental principle of the Art of Natural Dressage (AND): before asking anything from a horse,… Read more: 1.1 A possible start – Just be with your horse - 1.2 Introducing Food RewardsTeaching Yourself and Your Horse How to Use Food Rewards *Note: Food rewards are not a necessary part of training… Read more: 1.2 Introducing Food Rewards
- 1.3 Making Grass Your Friend
Many horse owners struggle with their horses being overly focused on grass, making it difficult to maintain attention and interaction.… Read more: 1.3 Making Grass Your Friend - 1.4 Playing: Role PlayOverview This document explores the use of role-playing games as a way to interact with horses in a fun, engaging,… Read more: 1.4 Playing: Role Play
- 1.5 Playing – Calm GamesAs high-energy play is not always suitable for every horse or situation, this discussion collects ideas for calm games—activities that… Read more: 1.5 Playing – Calm Games
- 1.6 Dealing with Scared HorsesOverview This document focuses on methods for working with horses that are fearful, traumatized, or anxious. The emphasis is on… Read more: 1.6 Dealing with Scared Horses
- 1.7 Different Ways of Starting to Interact with Your HorseThis discussion explores various ways to begin interactions with horses, highlighting different approaches based on mutual trust, curiosity, and natural… Read more: 1.7 Different Ways of Starting to Interact with Your Horse
- 1.8 Safety Measures When Playing with HorsesThis discussion collects safety measures used when playing with horses, emphasizing awareness, communication, and individual approaches to maintaining safety. Key… Read more: 1.8 Safety Measures When Playing with Horses
- 1.9 Dealing with a Pushy HorseThis discussion explores how to handle pushy horse behavior while maintaining a positive relationship. Instead of viewing pushiness as dominance… Read more: 1.9 Dealing with a Pushy Horse
- 1.10 Encouraging PolitenessThis discussion explores how to encourage politeness in horses by using mutual awareness and soft, clear communication rather than corrections… Read more: 1.10 Encouraging Politeness
- 1.11 Playing: Chase the TigerChase the Tiger is a popular game in the Art of Natural Dressage (AND) community, designed to encourage horses to… Read more: 1.11 Playing: Chase the Tiger
- 1.12 Playing: Wild GamesWild Games in AND focus on encouraging energetic, playful interactions between horses and humans. These games promote natural movement, engagement,… Read more: 1.12 Playing: Wild Games
- 1.13 Preparing for the CordeoThe cordeo (a neck rope) is used in Art of Natural Dressage (AND) to guide horses with subtle cues rather… Read more: 1.13 Preparing for the Cordeo
- 1.14 Stimulus Control and Begging with ExercisesThis discussion addresses stimulus control, particularly when horses become overly focused on specific behaviors (e.g., repeating tricks for treats). It… Read more: 1.14 Stimulus Control and Begging with Exercises
- 1.15 Movement and Body Language of the HumanThis discussion explores how human movement and body language influence horse behavior, emphasizing natural mimicry, synchronization, and intuitive communication. Key… Read more: 1.15 Movement and Body Language of the Human
- 1.16 Overview: Stretching Exercises for Horse and RiderThis topic provides a comprehensive guide to stretching and strengthening exercises for both horses and riders, aimed at improving flexibility,… Read more: 1.16 Overview: Stretching Exercises for Horse and Rider
- 1.17 The Whip (and Fear of It or Any Other Object)This discussion explores the role of whips and similar objects within the Art of Natural Dressage (AND) philosophy, focusing on… Read more: 1.17 The Whip (and Fear of It or Any Other Object)
- 1.18 Training the Neck-Back BandThis topic examines how to train the “neck-back band” (nuchal/supraspinous ligament) to support collection and proper posture without force or… Read more: 1.18 Training the Neck-Back Band
- 2.1 Backing Tail to HandThis discussion explores a positive reinforcement approach to teaching horses to back up toward the handler’s hand, turning backing into… Read more: 2.1 Backing Tail to Hand
- 2.2 Bow on One KneeThis topic explores different methods for teaching a horse to bow on one knee using positive reinforcement and patience. Key… Read more: 2.2 Bow on One Knee
- 2.3 JambetteThe Jambette is an exercise in which a horse lifts and extends one front leg forward. It serves as a… Read more: 2.3 Jambette
- 2.4 Lie DownThis topic explores various methods to teach a horse to lie down, using mimicry, positive reinforcement, and environmental encouragement rather… Read more: 2.4 Lie Down
- 2.5 Mountain GoatThe Mountain Goat exercise is a reverse of the back crunch, where the horse positions all four feet as close… Read more: 2.5 Mountain Goat
- 2.6 Ramener, and Ramener into MovementThis topic explores Ramener (a gentle flexion at the poll) and how to maintain it in motion. The goal is… Read more: 2.6 Ramener, and Ramener into Movement
- 2.7 Spanish Walk and PolkaThis topic outlines the Spanish Walk and Polka, both of which involve lifting and extending the front legs rhythmically while… Read more: 2.7 Spanish Walk and Polka
- 2.8 The Bow and the Back CrunchThis topic explores two stretching exercises, the Bow (Front Crunch) and the Back Crunch, which help increase flexibility, balance, and… Read more: 2.8 The Bow and the Back Crunch
- 2.9 Building Duration in ExercisesThis topic focuses on how to increase the duration of exercises like head lowering, Ramener, or school halt without creating… Read more: 2.9 Building Duration in Exercises
- 2.10 Merging Exercises Together: The SandwichThis topic introduces the “Sandwich Method”, a technique for merging two exercises into one fluid movement. The Concept A sandwich… Read more: 2.10 Merging Exercises Together: The Sandwich
- 3.1 Forwards Movement and RunningThis topic focuses on how to inspire forward movement in horses, ensuring they run with enthusiasm rather than simply ambling… Read more: 3.1 Forwards Movement and Running
- 3.2 Lunging generalThis topic examines lunging from an AND perspective, contrasting traditional lunging methods with a more interactive and communicative approach. Key… Read more: 3.2 Lunging general
- 3.3 Lunging: A Change of DirectionThis topic explores how to smoothly change direction during lunging while maintaining balance, engagement, and correct posture. Key Techniques for… Read more: 3.3 Lunging: A Change of Direction
- 3.4 Sideways: Stepping Under, Shoulder-in, TraversExplore how to develop sideways movements like stepping under, shoulder-in, and travers through communication, not force. Key Techniques for Lateral… Read more: 3.4 Sideways: Stepping Under, Shoulder-in, Travers
- 3.5 Transitions Between and Within GaitsFocuses on using transitions to build energy, balance, rhythm, and communication without pressure. Key Techniques for Transitions 1. Initiate with… Read more: 3.5 Transitions Between and Within Gaits
- 3.6 Walking Positions and Their VariationBreaks down the use of walking positions as a subtle form of communication, shaping energy, focus, and body awareness. Key… Read more: 3.6 Walking Positions and Their Variation
- 3.7 Racing: The Point of Point to PointIntroduces the concept of using two physical markers (A and B) as endpoints for liberty exercises to bring energy, focus,… Read more: 3.7 Racing: The Point of Point to Point
- 4.1 Courbette and Walk CourbetteExplores how horses offer the courbette (rearing while walking) and the variations that develop through voluntary experimentation. ⸻ Key Techniques… Read more: 4.1 Courbette and Walk Courbette
- 4.2 Flying Lead ChangesThis topic collects ideas and experiences from several trainers on how to develop flying lead changes from the ground and… Read more: 4.2 Flying Lead Changes
- 4.3 Maintaining Regular GaitsA discussion on how to preserve the purity, rhythm, and balance of a horse’s natural gaits amidst play, collection, and… Read more: 4.3 Maintaining Regular Gaits
- 4.4 Passage and Collected MovementsA detailed exchange on how to build upward energy, expression, and lightness in collected work such as passage. ⸻ Key… Read more: 4.4 Passage and Collected Movements
- 4.5 Pesade and LevadeFocuses on how to build controlled rearing movements such as pesade and levade using body preparation, patience, and strength. ⸻… Read more: 4.5 Pesade and Levade
- 4.6 School HaltDescribes how the School Halt helps develop collection by shifting the horse’s weight onto the hindlegs. ⸻ Key Techniques for… Read more: 4.6 School Halt