The natural & trained gaits of the horse

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Horse Gaits

Although what may appear to be a fairly rudimentary title for a horse riding article, the aspects of a horses gait are far from straightforward. There are a number of natural gaits whilst others can be specially trained; this article will look at them both.

There are 4 main gaits associated with the horse; walk, trot, canter and gallop. Each one shows an increase in speed from the previous, with them all being referred to as the �natural gaits. As a general rule these gaits are seen in all breeds of horses, however, there are several variations that can be noted in particular breeds and with certain styles of training.

The Walk

The walk is what is known as a four-beat lateral gait, this means that every hoof step can be heard distinctly. The horses legs follow from the left hind, left fore, right hind and right fore. At any one time the horse will have one foot raised and the other 3 will be on the ground.

As the slowest gait, the walk averages at approximately 4mph. The horse rider will experience a comforting side to side motion upon the horse. However, this is not necessarily so with the so called ambling gaits that are akin to certain breeds.

The ambling gaits are four beat intermediate gaits that are faster than a regular walk but are generally slower than a canter. There are several varieties:

The Running Walk - The Tennessee walking horse has a 4 beat walk like the regular horse, but is characterized by a greater speed and smoothness.

Slow gait - Following the same footfall patterns of the regular walk, the slow gait has a variation of rhythm and collection. Also called the stepping pace and singlefoot.

Racking - Commonly associated with the American Saddlebred, the speed is equivalent to that of the pace.

Fox Trot - The Missouri Foxtrotter is noted to possess a fine example of the Fox Trot gait. Here the gait is a four-beat diagonal one, with the front foot of the diagonal pair landing before the hind.

Paso - Characterized by the Peruvian Paso and Paso Fino, these are a range of smooth intermediate ambling gaits.

Tolt - Famous as the preferred gait of the Icelandic Horse, it shares similarities to that of the Racking gait, but is characterized by the freedom and liquidity of movement.

In dressage riding it is sometimes necessary to vary the walk from an extended walk where the horses walk stride is elongated, to a collected walk, whereby the stride pattern is shortened with the balance being focused on the hindquarters, lightening the forehand.

The Trot

The trot is a two-beat diagonal gait, whereby the right hind and left front move together, and the left hind and right front move at the same time. Averaging at 8mph, the horses trot is equivalent to that of a humans running speed. As horses differ, so does the speed of the trot. A slow trot is known as a jog and a fast trot, although not officially named, is characterized by the American Standardbred horse. Incidentally the Saddlebred can reach speeds exceeding the gallop of an average non-racing horse.

There are several versions of the trot that can be achieved through dressage training:

Collected Trot - Where the horses steps are shorter than in regular trot and is lighter and more mobile.

Working Trot - An average trot whereby the horse is balanced, with even elastic steps and has a good hock action.

Medium Trot - This is where the horse goes in a forward motion with clear and moderately lengthened steps, with impulsion pushing through the hindquarters

Extended Trot - Like the Medium, but here the horse covers as much ground as possible whilst still keeping absolute balance.

In advanced dressage training there are two particular variations of the trot, the Piaffe and Passage. The Piaffe was originally used to keep horses focused and warm before the onset of battle. It is a highly collected version of the trot whereby the horse barely moves on the spot. Unlike trot movements, the Piaffe has no moment of suspension. On the other hand, the Passage is an exaggerated, highly elevated powerful trot, moving with great collection and impulsion.

The Pace

Entirely different to the trot where the legs work in diagonal pairs, the Pace is a two-beat gait where the two legs on the same side of the horse move forward in unison. The Pace is akin to certain breeds such as the Saddlebred, and can reach significantly faster speeds than that of the trot.

The Canter

The canter, also known in Western riding as the Lope, is a 3-beat gait ranging from 10-17mph. When cantering the horse can be on one of two leg leads; the right or left. A horse on the right leg lead would have the right fore leg hitting the ground in front of the left leg, and likewise on the left leg lead, the left fore would lead. To be in perfect harmony and balance when horse riding it is important that you establish the correct leg lead when cantering, otherwise the horse can become unbalanced and its legs disunited.

When training a horse to perform medium to high level dressage, it is often necessary to take up the incorrect leg-lead, this is called �counter canter. This is done to show the horse is in balance and collected through the riders good training.

When show jumping or partaking in medium level dressage it often necessary to teach a horse the art of a �flying change, whereby the horse under the instruction of the rider, changes its leg lead whilst maintaining the canter.

The variations of the canter:

Working canter - the natural canter.

Medium canter - bigger and rounder with greater impulsion and extension than the former.

Collected canter - a much more engaged canter, with shorter springier strides and a more compressed frame of the horse.

Extended canter - horses frame is lengthened and it takes a larger stride. Takes great impulsion but should not be flattened.

The Gallop

The gallop or run, is when the horse is at full extension and there is a split moment where all four feet are suspended above the ground. Unlike the canter it is a 4 beat gait where speeds reach in excess of 30mph. The sequence goes; left hind, right hind, left fore then right fore followed by the moment of suspension.

Due to the power and energy exerted when galloping, most horses cannot gallop flat out for more than a mile and a half. The fastest recorded speed of a horse being ridden is when an American Quarter horse clocked speeds reaching 55mph.

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