Are you making or teaching the piaffe?

As a Grand-Prix rider and horse trainer, I’ve seen many horses do a piaffe.

But only a few of them were properly executed in a way that’s durable to their body.

A piaffe needs to be so natural that it seems like they can do it all day. The movement flows from their willingness to perform.

It’s why it’s so important that you’re teaching a piaffe instead of making it.

I believe that the horse should understand a movement before they can execute.

If you explain before doing and in extent teaching, you lead your horse to success.

You need to give yourself the time to ask and your horse the time to respond.

Because the difference between making and teaching the piaffe is just one second.

I’ve explained a lot more on that concept during TRT Live in Germany last year, you can find a video on that below.

(I swear Hans is fine ?)

Remember that when you’re working with your horse, you shouldn’t focus on the things that are going wrong.

Try again instead of enforcing.

Don’t ask for too much; your horse will learn how to offer. Reducing your aids will in turn motivate the continuation.

If your horse gets good at the preparation of what you’re about to ask, the execution comes for free.

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