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Flatwork / Dressage Intermediate 20 min

Turn on the Haunches at Walk

Focus: Lateral Work, Collection, Obedience

Equipment: None required

Arena Diagram

Arena diagram for Turn on the Haunches at Walk

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Collect the walk to a slow, rhythmic pace. Half-halt to lighten the forehand.
  2. To turn on the haunches to the right, apply your left rein to guide the shoulders right while your right leg supports at the girth.
  3. The hind legs should remain nearly stationary, stepping in a very small circle, while the front legs walk around them.
  4. Your left leg behind the girth prevents the haunches from swinging out. Your seat stays centered.
  5. Ask for a quarter-turn first (90 degrees). Halt, praise, and assess the quality before continuing.
  6. Progress to a half-turn (180 degrees) and eventually a full turn (360 degrees).
  7. The walk rhythm should be maintained throughout — the hind legs keep the walk tempo even while nearly in place.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • The haunches swinging wide instead of staying in place.
  • The horse stepping backward instead of turning.
  • Losing the walk rhythm — the horse freezing or shuffling.
  • Using too much inside rein, pulling the horse around instead of pushing from the outside aids.

Variations & Progressions

  • Practice the turn on the haunches from a halt for a simpler starting position.
  • Use the turn as a pirouette preparation: maintain walk rhythm, decrease the turn radius over time.
  • Chain turns on the haunches with shoulder-in departures for a seamless lateral exercise.
Tip: The turn on the haunches is a baby pirouette. The key is maintaining the walk tempo in the hind legs — they should keep marching even while pivoting.