While my friends were visiting from Texas, we were invited to watch a Doma Racional (Horse Whisperer) training session at the home of a friend in Uruguay.   Doma Racional is a method of taming horses with patience and respect.  The trainer, Marcelo Gonzalez says, "Today in Uruguay, about 60% of dressage is rational."  This training method uses interpretation of the horse's body language and animal psychology, instead of the traditional methods. 
     Marcelo believes, "To carry out rational dressage, you have to put yourself in the place of the horse and take into account that, for the animal, humans are predators. The techniques of this type of friendly dressage is intended to make the horse understand that this alleged predator is not going to harm it, but rather it is going to be an educator, a friend."
     It was an amazing experience!  I had to say there were tears in my eyes several times, seeing the communication between such a magnificent animal and a trainer.  Watching this was an experience I'll never forget.