Trust feels like a handshake, but for a machine it’s a protocol handshake and for a person it’s a series of small, honest choices. You show up, you repeat the same reliable behavior, you listen when the other side talks. Over time, the pattern becomes predictable enough that the other side can lean on it. For a horse, you’re building that pattern with steady cues and respect for its body language. With a person, the pattern is more nuanced—tone, timing, vulnerability. With a machine, the pattern is data, logs, and a clear error‑handling routine. All three need consistency, and a little surprise (or empathy) to show you’re alive enough to adapt. If you keep the pattern stable, trust slowly compiles into something that feels solid.