THE PIAFFER. 45 



The lessons in the piaffer should be 

 given every day, but for only a few 

 minutes, as the action is very fatiguing 

 and harassing to the horse, and he is 

 apt to become careless and heavy. 



The advance in the passage should be 

 gradually decreased, and when the horse 

 has made a step or two in place, or in 

 the piaffer, he should be permitted to 

 again advance in the passage and be 

 rewarded by a kind word. In a short 

 time, increasing the number of steps in 

 the piaffer at each lesson, the horse will 

 perform the movement without difficulty, 

 and can be made to begin the action 

 from the halt. But if the first lessons 

 are given from the halt, the horse must 

 offer more or less resistance, and will 

 frequently become violent in his oppo- 



