Alois Podhajsky The late former director of the “Spanish Riding School of Vienna”

Quoted from the “Riding Teacher” Podjasky says” If he [the horse] shies form any objects, specks of light, etc, and does not pay attention to the rider, he should be allowed to take a look at these objects. The teacher leads him up to them, talking to him and rewarding him with sugar when he approaches. Even if it has to be repeated several times, this method is the surest way to success and much better than even the slightest punishment” (1974 p. 93). The trainers of the Vienna school use sugar contained in small sacks underneath their jackets to immediately reward the airs above the ground, courbette, levade, ballotade, and capriole. This may be seen during the live performance and on the videos. I was lucky not only to see them in Vienna, but also the performances in Jerez de la Frontera where visited and performed at Las Cadenas with “The Riding School of Jerez” under the Alvaro de Domecq. This was also during the time when I was a student at the Domecq School and the excitement of having the stallions and riders at the school was a joy to all of us. The work of the Spanish Riding School demonstrates the power of primary reinforcement that has been quietly used for more than 50 years with horses.

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Podhajsky with stallion Maestoso Mercurio