Dressage - Passage
Lateral Work

Dressage - Passage
This is a highly collected and elevated trot which has a prolonged moment of suspension.

Principles Of Passage

The horse should already be well established with school movements, lateral work and Piaffe before attempting Passage.
The toe of the raised foreleg should be level with the middle of the opposite cannon bone.
The toe of the raised hind leg should be above the fetlock of the opposite leg.
The trot steps should be even, elevated and cadenced.
The horses neck should be raised and arched with the poll being the highest point.
Passage should be ridden equally on both reins.

Common Faults Of Passage

Irregular footfalls is an indication that the horse is weak in one of the hind legs and becomes crooked through tension and weakness at not being able to equally engage the hindquarters. You may find that more lateral work on the weaker side is required and then only do a short periods of Passage at a time to begin with to ensure that the Passage stays free from tension and irregularity.
Not enough height in the steps is often due to insufficient activity and engagement from being generated from the horses hindquarters.
Resistance to move forwards into the Passage is often caused by the horse losing energy in the Piaffe which then prevents the horse from being able to actively continue in balance afterwards and so the horse shows resistance.
Hollowing by the horse can be caused by either incorrect rider aids or horse discomfort. The horse should remain light with a curved neck and the poll the highest point whilst remaining fully engaged behind. If the rider uses too much hand or does not maintain sufficient engagement then the horse may hollow against them.