Dressage - Piaffe
Lateral Work

Dressage - Piaffe
Piaffe is a highly collected and elevated trot where the horse appears to remain on the spot.

The Piaffe requires immense strength and engagement from the hindquarters which have to lower and flex in order to raise each hind foot and ensure that the horse is light and mobile in front.

Principles Of Piaffe

The toe of the raised forefoot should be level with the middle of the horses opposite cannon bone.
The toe of the raised hind foot should be raised above the fetlock of the opposite hindleg.
Each trot diagonal should be evenly placed alternately.
The horses forehand should be light and mobile.
The Piaffe will look like it remains on the spot but will actually advance slightly.
The rider should always be able to ride out of the Piaffe at any time.

Faults Of Piaffe

Croup High is a sign that the horse is insufficiently engaged behind and will need more training to allow it to respond to the half halt, bend its hocks and engage behind.
Lack of height with the steps is a sign that the horse is insufficiently collected and engaged. Working on your horses collected trot and lateral work will help to strengthen the hindquarters in order to achieve a greater degree of engagement and overall suspension with the steps.
Quarters swinging out during Piaffe is a sign that the horse is not straight and is trying to avoid taking the weight onto his hindquarters. Ask for a few steps at a time on a straight side of the school to help keep control of the hindquarters and then ride your horse away.
If the horse is on the forehand then it will not be engaging its hindquarters effectively and will be heavier in front. The horse may need to focus more on some lateral work to help build up the hindquarters and lighten up the forehand before re attempting the Piaffe steps. When the horse is again light and mobile in front then attempt a few steps at a time before riding forwards and away.

Dressage - Piaffe Lateral Work

Dressage - Piaffe
Lateral Work