GAITS OF HORSES

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