Piaffe

Spent yesterday's lesson on Piaffe.  Started with Frances on the ground tapping the front of Gracie's hind legs one at a time with the Piaffe whip.  The goal was to get her to lift them, hold them up and forward, with no stress.  Gracie started out irritated, but as long as she got a treat every time she lifted her leg politely she was ultimately happy.  I did the same thing with her today and she obviously figured it out yesterday (especially the treat part).  

From there we moved on to half-steps.  Trot on a circle, collect, collect, collect, then move on.  To collect I have to shift my legs waaaay back and sit more forward, off Gracie's loins.  It's challenging to get her in and sitting, but then she moves off well.  I had more and more right rein as we went on. 

Then today I worked on the same, plus some 10 meter canter circles.  Left lead is going much better! There is some engagement of the left hind and a little right rein -- I still need more finesse, so I don't hold her up with the left rein.