Ralph-Michael Rash uses work in hand in order to make it easier for inexperienced horses to learn piaffe steps without the weight of the rider. This training technique has even proved successful when he corrects horses that have performed poorly under the saddle.
Ralph-Michael Rash shows respect for the personality of the horse and works with real patience and feeling so that horses in his charge come to trust him and enjoy the whole exercise.
He is keen to stress that work in hand is a means to an end rather than an end in itself. The ultimate goal is piaffe under the saddle with no discernible aids from the rider.
„The piaffe is a success when it expresses joy in movement, lightness of step and a feeling of pride and dignity on the part of the horse.“