What is the definition of Haunches-in in dressage?

Answer 1

Haunches-in (also called "travers") is a lateral movement used in training of the horse. It has a close cousin, haunches-out (renvers, "croupe au mur"), that is slightly more difficult. Both movements are three-track, meaning they produce three lines of hoof prints in the sand, as opposed to the usual two seen if the horse is straight.

In haunches-in, the horse bends his hindquarters slightly to the inside of the arena, away from the arena wall, so that he is bent in the direction of movement. His front legs and shoulders should not move from the original track. This produces the three-tracks, with the outer track made by the outside foreleg, the middle track by the inside foreleg and outside hind leg, and the inside track made by the inside foreleg.

In haunches-out (renvers), the horse is similarly bent in the direction of movement, but his hindquarters are bent toward the arena wall instead of away from it. This produces a three-track movement consisting of the outside track made by the outside hind leg, the middle track by the outside foreleg and inside hind leg, and inside track by the inside foreleg. This movement is considered to be more difficult than travers. A good example of a horse that moves crookedly, with the haunches naturally turned in. Although he is on three-tracks, the horse lacks the bend and impulsion seen for a true movement of haunches-in.

A horse that naturally moves with his haunched slightly to the inside is simply travelling crooked, and is notperforming haunches-in. These horses usually lack correct bend through the whole body, do not work properly into their outside aids, and do not show the same engagement seen in horses ridden in a true haunches-in.