One of the key elements to correct or enhanced gaiting is the engagementof the haunches. Without it, the horse will be off gaited or will short stride, and not utilize their full potential. It's kind of like driving your car with the clutch part way pushed in. You are only getting part of the power that is available. The great master, Charles De Kunffy, recently described how a horse will avoid engagement of their haunches. One is inversion, meaning above the bit, or over flexion, which is under the bit.  A horse above the bit uses it's resistance muscles to lean on the bit and become upside down.  Of the two, this is most common. Over flexion, or under the bit, is caused by the horse over flexing it's neck and avoiding the rider's contact.

The second way a horse keeps from engaging the haunches is by speeding up or rushing through the bit.  This way they can disengage the hind end and not fully utilize their power.

The third way is by being crooked. If a horse is not aligned from back to front, in a proper bend, they can easily avoid engagement. Our job as riders is to discern how the horse is avoiding engagement and use the proper tools to ask the horse for correct bend and alignment of the spine.  This will result in engagement of the haunches and correct gait.

In summary there are three ways a horse avoids engagement. 1: inversion or over flexion 2: speeding up or rushing 3: crookedness.

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