FROM WALK TO PIAFFE: Developing Engaged Walk The next step in teaching the piaffe is to add energy to the walk. Just like in the exercises from previous chapter, you will continue to activate the horse’s pelvis. The main driving force of the horse’s forward movement should come from the rotation of the pelvis, which
FROM WALK TO PIAFFE: RELAXING THE WALK We will guide you through the process of teaching a horse a beautiful piaffe. The first step is to ensure that the horse is relaxed and has an active pelvis. Throughout the exercises, it’s vital that the horse remains relaxed, even when using a whip to add energy.
As a horse trainer, you may wonder when to teach your horse the piaffe exercise. Some trainers believe that piaffe should only be taught towards the end of a horse’s training when they know all the Grand Prix elements. However, others suggest teaching piaffe early on during the horse’s dressage training as it is a
It is crucial for every rider and horse trainer to understand the movement based on tendons. This occurs when a horse uses the energy stored in the elastic tendons, similar to rubber band but harder, instead of the energy produced by the muscles. Movement based on tendons is similar to throwing a ball on the
When teaching and giving clinics around the world I have noticed something quite remarkable. When a skilled rider with passive, relaxed hands mounts a horse, the horse’s movement improves drastically. This phenomenon occurs without any specific training or preparation. It’s fascinating to witness how a simple change in the rider’s hand position can alter the
It’s important to recognise common mistakes and misconceptions related to using hands during horse riding. Let’s take a look at a few of these errors that you may encounter during your riding career. Firstly, pulling on the reins with excessive force is a common mistake. This practice is not a proper technique in horse riding
