Piaffe - is this normal? Also, more control

[SailleCinza]

I have a story that seems pretty hilarious, but I can't help wondering whether this is normal! Of course, I also have a nagging question.

I was riding Cajun on the trail the other day, and after a while of becoming excited, he decided to try to avoid the bit. While cantering up a hill, the more I shortened the reins and held him back, the more he collected himself - shortening his stride but adding power, at the same time as shortening his neck BEHIND the bit... obviously tring to avoid me. However, the result was collection - even if it wasn't proper. At first, this wasn't so bad. However, it soon got so bad that when I brought him into a trot, he began to piaffe.

I wouldn't have been sure, but my instructor turned around and laughed. She said indeed he was piaffing. The only other experience I had with that was riding a nervous horse, whom, anxious to please, would piaffe whenever confused. I am not kidding.

Is this normal?
Also, how can I gain more control of him on the trails when he just drops behind the bit?

[Lgd]

Some horses piaffe and passage naturally. My younger mare has thrown piaffe and passage since she was a 5yo, although thankfully she never dropped behind the leg - she always did it when she wanted to be off at high speed and I refused to let her go, so at least it was contained impulsion rather than evasion. She is now starting to do it in her training (she is a 9yo now).

If they are dropping behind the contact the easiest solution is to apply the leg rather forcefully and allow with the hands. They may explode forward a bit the first few times but that is far preferable than them learning to work incorrectly and evade the contact.

[SailleCinza]

Thank you - I'll follow your advice, and hopefully he'll drop the habit. :)