Dressage Pointers: Introducing The Haunches-In/Travers Aid System In The Walk

In this video, Cooley and I will demonstrate how you can get started with the haunches-in, or travers, in the walk. I will talk about the necessary aids that will be most comfortable, beneficial and productive for you and your horse, the things you can do to keep your horse in a relaxed rhythm, and, in the copy below, I will talk a bit about the official definition and different approaches when it comes to understanding and choosing how to ride the haunches-in. As always, I invite you to watch with an open mind, to take in what is useful to you and to expand your toolbox according to your level of experience.
Watch and you will find answers to the following questions:
1. Which are the weight aids for the haunches-in/travers?
2. Which are the rein and leg aids for the haunches-in/travers?
3. How can I help my horse maintain her/his balance in the haunches-in/travers?
Check the arena graphic at the end of the video to find a summary of the aids for the haunches-in in the walk.
Interestingly, the official definition of the haunches-in/travers by the USDF (United States Dressage Federation; www.usdf.org/E...) is as follows: “This exercise can be performed in collected trot or collected canter. The horse is slightly bent round the inside leg of the rider but with a greater degree of bend than in shoulder-in. A constant angle of approximately 35 degrees should be shown, from the front and from behind one sees four tracks. The forehand remains on the track and the quarters are moved inwards. The horse’s outside legs pass and cross in front of the inside legs. The horse is bent in the direction in which it is moving. To start the travers, the quarters must leave the track or, after a corner or circle, are not brought back onto the track. At the end of the travers, the quarters are brought back on the track without any counter-flexion of the poll/neck as one would finish a circle.”
Although mostly correct, it’s interesting that it says that this movement can only be ridden in the collected trot and collected canter, where some of the old and newer master riders/teachers have certainly made use of it in the walk as well. In classic guidance works, such as ’Riding Logic’ by Wilhelm Müseler, one of the most respected Dressage books, you can find explanations and drawings that illuminate this fact and the beneficial effects in more detail.
I’d like to encourage you to learn all the lateral movements - leg yield, shoulder-in, haunches-in and half-pass - in the walk before progressing with them in the collected trot and collected canter. You will deepen your understanding of the lateral aid systems, and your horse will thank you. :)
As in some of my other videos, where I introduce certain aid principles, you may notice that I’m riding with pretty long reins. This has to do with the idea that I want us to focus on our seat and aids without inhibiting or boxing our horses in too much. Your rein length may vary according to your horse’s and your own level of experience with this movement.
Also, get your free Arena Pattern Guide at www.katjaelk.c....
Happy riding! :)
Horse: Cooley (Windchase KilCooley), 12-year-old gelding, Irish Sport Horse. Background: Imported from Ireland; formerly ridden and competed as a three-day-eventer. Health: Continuous, thoughtful management of stomach problems/ulcers, bouts of colic as well as arthritis in his hocks. Training: Careful Dressage and ground training while taking into consideration former shoulder injury/surgery.
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California-based Dressage trainer, instructor, clinician and life coach, Katja Elk, provides gentle training solutions for riders and horses of all backgrounds.
“Over the course of my life, I have been fortunate enough to learn from many amazing human and equine teachers. In my videos, I share tips and pointers with people interested in expanding their knowledge about foundational Dressage and different types of groundwork. You will see me work with horses of various breeds, levels and backgrounds, highlighting parts of the journey we call work-in-progress with our equine partners. None of the shown clips are flawless, but they are honest attempts to show you ways to nurture a kind, joyful and productive relationship with your horses as you are exploring the finer points of Dressage and groundwork.”
Katja applies the concept of a friendly, trust-based, two-way communication system to riding Dressage, work-in-hand as well as groundwork such as halter-work, longeing/lungeing and longlining.
Additionally, Katja, a Martha Beck certified master life coach, works with people who are looking for relief from anxiety, depression and/or other challenges in their lives.
www.katjaelk.com
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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

[@amandadonaghey7540]

Very nicely explained 👍

[@katjaelk]

Thank you so much! I’m glad it’s useful. 😊

[@connieheinkel8778]

Are these the same aids when you trot?

[@katjaelk]

Hi Connie! Yes, in principle they are the same, but riding the movements in the two-beat of the trot is slightly different. You may find this video helpful: ruclips.net/video/RuNTekZJiu8/видео.html. :)