- Gait -
The "gait" is the different ways a
horse can move. The standard natural gaits are: walk, trot, canter and
gallop. There are also bred or trained additional
gaits: pacing, ambling, running walk---describe precise and different ways in
which a horse moves its legs. A horse can only do one pace at a time! Gait is
the repetitive limb coordination pattern used in locomotion.
Asymmetrical gait - gait in which the limb movements on one side
are not exactly repeated on the other side.
Example: Canter, Gallop.
Symmetrical gait - gait in which limb movements on one side are
repeated on the opposite side half a stride later.
Example: trot, pace.
Stance Phase - when at least one foot is in contact with the
ground.
Swing Phase - when the hoof is lifted and brought forward.
Suspension Phase - when no hooves are on the ground.
Overlap Time - the longer the limbs are off the ground (stride
suspension phase) relative to the time on the ground (stride stance phase) the
smaller the overlap.
Walk - 4 beats symmetrical gait
Trot - 2 beat diagonal symmetrical gait
Pace - 2 beat lateral symmetrical gait
Canter - 3 beat asymmetrical gait
Gallop - 4 beat asymmetrical gait
Running Walk - 4 beat gait characteristic of Tennessee Walking
Horse
Paso Fino - slowest 4 beat gait of the Paso Fino (A Latin
American bred horse)
Paso Corto - medium speed 4 beat gait of the Paso Fino
Paso Largo - fastest 4 beat gait of the Paso Fino
Slow Gait - slow 4 beat gait performed by the American
Saddlebred. Very tiring gait for the horse and somewhat rough to ride.
Rack - fastest 4 beat gait performed by the American Saddlebred. Very smooth gait to ride.
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