Horse Gaits
What is a horse gait?
A horse's gait is the speed of the horse.
Horse and pony breeds possess the 4 natural gaits what are described below. However, some breeds may have a 5th, 6th or 7th gait that is either natural or trained.
There seems to be an on-going debate on which gaits are 'natural' and which are 'trained' gaits. Many gaits can be 'natural' to one breed, and at the same time, must be 'trained' to other breeds. This is the reason we will not get into detail here about which gaits are 'natural' and which are 'trained'.
A horse's gait is the speed of the horse.
Horse and pony breeds possess the 4 natural gaits what are described below. However, some breeds may have a 5th, 6th or 7th gait that is either natural or trained.
There seems to be an on-going debate on which gaits are 'natural' and which are 'trained' gaits. Many gaits can be 'natural' to one breed, and at the same time, must be 'trained' to other breeds. This is the reason we will not get into detail here about which gaits are 'natural' and which are 'trained'.
Walk
The walk is a natural 4-beat movement. The horse always has two or three hooves on the ground. The walk is the slowest natural gait, it is the steadiest and most comfortable.
The horse lifts his hooves as follows:
(1st beat) right hind leg, (2nd beat) right fore leg, (3rd beat) left hind leg, (4th beat) left fore leg.(Picture below)
The walk is a natural 4-beat movement. The horse always has two or three hooves on the ground. The walk is the slowest natural gait, it is the steadiest and most comfortable.
The horse lifts his hooves as follows:
(1st beat) right hind leg, (2nd beat) right fore leg, (3rd beat) left hind leg, (4th beat) left fore leg.(Picture below)
Trot/Jogging
The trot is a steady 2-beat movement. This gait has a period of suspension. The horse springs from one diagonal to the other. In between these springs, all four legs are off the ground. Since the trot has two beats each stride and a moment in mid-air, it is more comfortable for the rider (and the horse) to rise up and down every-other beat (this is called "posting"). Jogging is in Western Riding is a bit slower then a trot.
The horse lifts his hooves as follows:
(1st beat) right fore/left hind, (2nd beat) left fore/right hind.(Picture Below)
The trot is a steady 2-beat movement. This gait has a period of suspension. The horse springs from one diagonal to the other. In between these springs, all four legs are off the ground. Since the trot has two beats each stride and a moment in mid-air, it is more comfortable for the rider (and the horse) to rise up and down every-other beat (this is called "posting"). Jogging is in Western Riding is a bit slower then a trot.
The horse lifts his hooves as follows:
(1st beat) right fore/left hind, (2nd beat) left fore/right hind.(Picture Below)
Canter/Loping
The canter is a 3-beat movement. This gait has a period of suspension after each stride. This gait starts with the hind leg then leads to the front in a rocking motion. When you canter, you keep your seat in the saddle (unlike the trot). Before learning to canter, make sure your balance and rhythm stays consistent with the horse during the trot. Loping is in Western Riding is a bit slower then a canter.
The horse lifts his hooves as follows:(Pictures Below)
The Right-Lead Canter:(Picture-Left)
(1st beat) left hind leg, (2nd beat) right hind / left fore, (3rd beat) right fore leg
The Left-Lead Canter:(Picture-Right)
(1st beat) right hind leg, (2nd beat) left hind / right fore, (3rd beat) left fore leg
The canter is a 3-beat movement. This gait has a period of suspension after each stride. This gait starts with the hind leg then leads to the front in a rocking motion. When you canter, you keep your seat in the saddle (unlike the trot). Before learning to canter, make sure your balance and rhythm stays consistent with the horse during the trot. Loping is in Western Riding is a bit slower then a canter.
The horse lifts his hooves as follows:(Pictures Below)
The Right-Lead Canter:(Picture-Left)
(1st beat) left hind leg, (2nd beat) right hind / left fore, (3rd beat) right fore leg
The Left-Lead Canter:(Picture-Right)
(1st beat) right hind leg, (2nd beat) left hind / right fore, (3rd beat) left fore leg
Gallop
The gallop is a 4-beat movement. This gait is similar to the canter, but the horse's legs move one at a time. The gallop feels just like a fast canter. When riding the gallop, raise your seat slightly out of the saddle, putting your weight in your heels. Before attempting to gallop, you must be able to control the horse 100% and be able to ride all other gaits in balance.
The horse lifts his hooves as follows:(Pictures Below)
The Right-Lead Gallop:(Picture Left)
(1st beat) left hind leg, (2nd beat) right hind leg, (3rd beat) left fore leg, (4th beat) right fore leg
The Left-Lead Gallop:(Picture Right)
(1st beat) right hind leg, (2nd beat) left hind leg, (3rd beat) right fore leg, (4th beat) left fore leg
The gallop is a 4-beat movement. This gait is similar to the canter, but the horse's legs move one at a time. The gallop feels just like a fast canter. When riding the gallop, raise your seat slightly out of the saddle, putting your weight in your heels. Before attempting to gallop, you must be able to control the horse 100% and be able to ride all other gaits in balance.
The horse lifts his hooves as follows:(Pictures Below)
The Right-Lead Gallop:(Picture Left)
(1st beat) left hind leg, (2nd beat) right hind leg, (3rd beat) left fore leg, (4th beat) right fore leg
The Left-Lead Gallop:(Picture Right)
(1st beat) right hind leg, (2nd beat) left hind leg, (3rd beat) right fore leg, (4th beat) left fore leg