Travers (haunches-in)
The travers (haunches-in) is an exercise where the forehand travels straight down the track while the hindquarters are flexed inward. The horse is bent and flexed in the direction of travel.
In the travers, the outside hind leg is trained. It is an exercise on two tracks and performed in 3 or 4 tracks. The lateral flexion remains the same as in the shoulder-in.
The outside hind leg steps toward the center of gravity, which gives the inside shoulder more freedom.
The outside hind leg is forced to carry more weight and bend more, which improves suppleness, balance, coordination, and lateral flexion.
The travers (haunches-in) is an excellent preparation for the half-pass (travers on the diagonal) and the pirouette (the smallest form of travers on a circle).
The travers can be performed in walk, trot, and canter.
