"It is true, nevertheless, that advanced lessons assume relative mastery of beginning ones, and so, just like stages of initiation, the lessons are hierarchical, even though the same mysteries of practice, form, and art, if rightly understood, shine through all levels."

~ Kenneth Beittel ~


Advanced Techniques

Levade
The horse must maintain a haunched position at a 45-degree angle to the ground, requiring muscle control and perfection of balance that is quite difficult.

Mezair
- A series of successive Levades in which the horse lowers its forefeet to the ground before rising again on hindquarters, achieving forward motion.

Courbette
The horse balances on the hind legs and then jumps, keeping the hind legs together and the forelegs off the ground.

Capriole
The stallion leaps into the air, drawing his forelegs under his chest at the height of elevation, and kicks out violently with his hind legs. The capriole can take many years of training.