The classical way of riding aims for the horse to stay in good riding condition for most of its life. Relaxed, supple, cooperating - these are the traits we wish to achieve with training, no matter what riding discipline .

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Groundwork and lunging prepare the horse for carrying the rider. The young horse learns balance, self-carriage, ideal shape, lateral bending all without the rider's weight. This way when the rider finally sits on him, it'll be easier for him, there'll be less disagreements between horse and rider.

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Cavesson

The cavesson is a much like a leather stable halter, with three metal rings on the noseband. Correct placement of the horses skull relative to its neck is the easiest to achieve with a cavesson, because the horse understands it easier than any other aid.

 

In groundwork and lunging the middle ring is used. Lunging with a bit is not advisable, as it pulls on the horses mouth unnecessarily, causing pain, and also makes the bit to act in the wrong direction, causing incorrect bending. The hand using the bit must be very sensitive and gentle, which is impossible when you connect a lunge line to the bit.

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The​ side rings on the cavesson are used in riding and work in hand with a bridle.

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Collected gaits

Campagne (normal) gaits have their schooled counterparts

Walk – School walk/half steps

Trot – Piaffe, Passage

Canter – School canter/four beat canter, Redopp, Terre a terre, Carriere (the latter three are two beat canters)

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School exercises

- School halt

- Levade

- Pesade

- Mezair

- Carré

- Falkade

- Repulon

- Passade

- Repulonpassade

- Sarabande

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Airs above the ground

-Courbette

- Croupade

- Ballotade

- Capriole