If the haunches are allowed to lead in the half pass, the rhythm becomes insecure.

If the horse is too energetic and forward and will not collect after an extension, leave it and take a walk break.

When the horse puts one leg out in the halt, it was usually not well prepared. The horse will halt square if half halts are given a few strides before, and then a brief/light rein aid asks for the halt.

The easiest movements are sometimes the most difficult.

Entry into passage should be gradual and quiet. One has to be willing to let the horse develop himself. The horse should be ridden out again if he takes too much weight behind. The piaffe should be ridden lightly and taken slowly out. The rider must take time for the transition and the horse must remain sensitive.

A horse that is not strong enough in his back will hurry away in the walk. The rider must work to strengthen the horse’s back. Ride differences in tempo to make the back muscles loose, but don’t ride all the way to piaffe because you need to focus on keeping the horse forward, and a weak horse cannot get to piaffe without losing the forward.

If the horse stops working, you must determine whether the horse is tired and has done too much, or whether he’s just lazy and doesn’t want to continue.

In piaffe, lightness in the hand is good, but the horse must have a clear tendency to move forward in order to get a good transition.

Day Two:

The rider must use both legs, both seat bones and both reins in a balanced way in order to give the horse collection. The alignment of the body must be correct.

A common mistake in shoulder in (not made by Leslie) is to use the inside leg too far back, sitting to the inside (as opposed to weighting the inside seat bone), and taking the outside leg off the horse.

The correct seat involves sitting deeply with both seatbones, the crotch and the inner thighs making contact with the saddle. The upper thigh should be brought back only to the degree that it does not disrupt the contact of the seatbones and put the rider on his crotch. The lower leg should be brought back so that the heel is in line with the rider’s seat and shoulders. The toes should be up, but without tension. The ankle joint must be supple and flexible to allow swing. The toe should be out just enough that the horse is not disturbed at his elbow.

The upper body should be straight up, with the shoulder blades back. The head should be looking straight ahead and held upright. The elbows should rest lightly against the waist, but not pressed in nor held away. There should be a straight line from the elbow to the bit. The hands should be carried in a fist, with the rein between the small and ring finger, and exiting between the thumb which holds it against the index finger.

All of this must be in relaxation. If the rider leans forward or back, it will cause rider fatigue. A good seat is required for good aids.

Out of a relaxed forward trot, the horse can be asked for collection. Sensitizing can be interspersed as needed if the horse becomes dull to the aids. Sensitizing should NOT be done in walk if the horse has a tendency to pace. The canter is often the best gait to work on sensitizing the horse, asking the horse for a quicker jump and a deeper neck.

The horse must be kept straight in piaffe so that he carries weight equally. Adequate rest is required between periods of piaffe so the horse’s muscles can regenerate.