Equine BreedsEquine Science & Technology

Equine GaitsA gait is a particular way of going, either natural or acquired

which is characterized by a distinctive rhythmic movement of the feet and legs.

Walk A natural slow, flat footed, four beat gait. It should be springy, regular, and true.

Walk Video

Equine GaitsTrot A natural two-beat, diagonal gait in which the front foot

and the opposite hind foot take off at the same split second and strike the ground simultaneously.

There is a brief moment when all four feet are off the ground and the horse seemingly floats through the air.

This gait varies considerably according to breed and training.

Sitting Trotting Video

Rising Trot Video

Equine GaitsCanter (Lope) The canter is a slow, restrained, three-beat gait in which the

two diagonal legs are paired, thereby producing a single beat that falls between the successive beats of the other unpaired legs.

In the show-ring the lead should be toward the inside of the ring. Thus when traveling to the left, the front leg should lead (the horse is on the “left lead”).

Right Canter Video

Left Canter Video

Equine GaitsRun (Gallop) The run or gallop is a fast, four beat gait in which the feet

strike the ground separately- first one hind foot; then the other hind foot; then the front foot on the same side as the first hind foot; then the other front foot, which decided the lead.

In executing the gallop, the propulsion is chiefly in the hindquarters.

Run (Gallop) Video

Equine GaitsPace The pace is a fast, lateral two-beat gait in which the front

and hind feet on the same side start and stop simultaneously.

The feet rise very little above the ground. The pace is faster than the trot but not so fast as the run or

gallop.

Pace Video

Amazingly fast racking Video

Equine GaitsMovement Defects

The feet of an animal should move straight ahead and parallel to a centerline drawn in the direction of travel; any deviations from this way of going constitute defects.

Forging The striking of the forefoot by the toe of the hind foot.

Equine GaitsMovement Defects

Paddling Throwing the front feet outward as they are picked up. This condition is predisposed in horses with toe-narrow or

pigeon-toed standing positions.

Equine GaitsPounding A condition in which there is a heavy contact with the

ground in contrast to the desired light, springy movement. Defects in conformation that shift the horse’s center of

gravity can lead to pounding.

Rolling Excessive lateral shoulder motion, characteristic of horses

with protruding shoulders.