The airs above the ground

The movement of the limbs is more elevated than in a trot, and the moment of suspension is accentuated, and the projetion time is lengthened.

Piaffe is passage on the spot : there is elevation and the hooves striking the ground two at a time diagonally, but the horse is hardly moving forwards at all.

This exercise demands a very strong engagement of the hind limbs, and a high level of dressage in the horse.

It consists in one beat with the hind legs, and one with the front legs, without any foward thrust.

This air is used by the cadre noir riders to prepare their horses for the cabriole.

These movements are carried out naturally by the horse, but improved technically through dressage.

The courbette is an on the spot movement which corresponds to rearing : the horse goes up on its hind legs, elevating its forehand. The front legs are bent and joined together. He maintains this position for a few moments and then comes back down to the ground.

The levade is also an on the spot movement where the horse elevates his forehand with his legs folded beneath him. The hind legs are extremely engaged under the mass, and the haunches are lowered as far as possible.

The mézair is a series of successive levades with the horse moving forwards : the horse goes into a first levade, then puts his front legs back on the ground,and brings them up again as he moves his hind legs forwards.

The croupade is the air above the ground which corresponds to a buck.

The horse throws his back legs out behind him energetically, as high and as far as he can.

The cabriole is the most complete and difficult of the airs above the ground.

It is the combination of the courbette and the croupade : the horse first raises his forehand, then bounds forwards and vigorously throws out his hind legs behind him, seeking for maximum elevation and range.