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Understanding Horse Gaits: A Comprehensive Guide

Dive into the world of horse gaits with this educational resource covering walks, trots, canters, and gallops. Understand the nuances of each gait and learn how to identify them. Discover gait defects and their implications.

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Understanding Horse Gaits: A Comprehensive Guide

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  1. GAITS OF HORSES 2001…D. Karen Hansen, PhD 2007…Stephen R. Schafer, EdD University of Wyoming

  2. Information Development Much effort and time was devoted to: developing accurate/current information incorporating appropriate pictures/graphics providing proper credit of pictures/graphics obtaining user/educational permission Any and/or all errors, omissions, etc. are purely unintentional and/or accidental. This presentation was developed for use as resource and is provided as an educational service. User and/or purchase fees are not associated with this presentation.

  3. Gaits • Gait = Way of Going • Gait = Horse’s manner of moving its legs during progression • Horse is unique among other animals because it has many gaits

  4. Basis For Determining The Gait • Footfall sequence • Beat • Stride • Suspension

  5. Walk • Mother or basis or foundation of all gaits • Walk = 4-beat gait that is slow • LH (1) - LF(2) - RH (3) - RF (4) • There is no suspension phase • At least 2 feet are always on the ground

  6. Walk Source: Ultimate Horse Website

  7. Rack • The Rack is actually a modified walk or exaggerated walk in which flexion is key to the movement • Since it is a walk, it is a 4-beat gait. • Also known as the singlefoot • Used by American Saddlebreds and Racking Horses • Very smooth for the rider • Can be fast

  8. Rack Source: Unknown

  9. Rack Source: Unknown

  10. Rack Source: Unknown

  11. Rack Source: Unknown

  12. Rack Source: Unknown

  13. Back • Reverse, the horse is moving backwards • Back = 2-beat diagonal gait that is moving in reverse….at a slow speed.

  14. Trot/Jog • English = Trot…..Western = Trot or Jog • Two-beat diagonal gait, faster than walk • Sometimes called an intermediate gait • Has a suspension phase • LHRF (1) - suspension RHLF (2)

  15. Trot/Jog Source: Ultimate Horse Website

  16. Trot/Jog Source: Ultimate Horse Website

  17. Trot/Jog Source: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

  18. Trot (piaffe) Source: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

  19. Pace • Pace = 2-beat lateral gait, faster than walk • Pace has a suspension phase • LHLF (1) – suspension RHRF (2) • Unique to certain horses

  20. Pace Source: Muybridge

  21. Canter/Lope • Canter (English Term) & Lope (Western Term) are the same gait • Canter/lope = 3-beat gait with a “lead” and a suspension phase • Speeds may vary depending on horse, but usually faster than trot • Left lead: • RH(1) - LHRF (2) - LF (3) suspension

  22. Canter/Lope Source: Ultimate Horse Website

  23. Canter/Lope Source: Muybridge

  24. Canter/Lope (left lead) Source/Rider/Horse: Zena

  25. Canter/Lope (right lead) Source/Rider/Horse: Zena

  26. Canter/Lope (both leads) Source/Rider/Horse: Karen

  27. Trot/Jog & Canter/Lope (left lead) Source/Rider/Horse: Unknown

  28. Trot/Jog & Canter/Lope (right lead) Source/Rider/Horse: Unknown

  29. Combo-Walk, Trot/Jog, & Canter/Lope Source/Rider/Horse: Shiraz

  30. Gallop • The gallop or “run” is the horse’s fastest gait • It is a 4-beat gait with a suspension phase and a lead • The “hand gallop” is used in showing • Left lead: • RH(1) LH(2) RF(3) LF (4) suspension

  31. Gallop Source: Ultimate Horse Website

  32. Gallop Source: Muybridge

  33. Gait Defects • Usually involves the hitting of a leg or foot by another leg or foot (the moving leg or foot) • Forging • Overreaching • Gait defects can also tell us about lameness

  34. Gaits---Summary • Gait = Way of Going • Gait = Footfall sequence • Gait = How beats form to make stride

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