Understanding a horse’s gait is essential for horse owners and riders, as gait can directly affect the horse’s performance, soundness and ability. The term “gait” is used to describe the manner in which a horse moves, and it is typically divided into two categories – natural and artificial.
What is Natural Gait?
Natural gait refers to the manner in which a horse moves without the aid of human intervention. It is the way the horse moves when it is on its own, without a rider or any type of training. Natural gait is divided into four types:
- Walk – a four-beat gait, slowest of the natural gaits, takes four steps to complete one cycle
- Trot – a two-beat gait, faster than the walk, takes two steps to complete one cycle
- Canter/Lope – a three-beat gait, faster than the trot, takes three steps to complete one cycle
- Gallop – a four-beat gait, fastest of the natural gaits, takes four steps to complete one cycle
What is Artificial Gait?
Artificial gait is a term used to describe the additional gaits that can be performed by horses through the use of training and/or special equipment. These gaits include:
- Pace – a two-beat gait, slower than the trot, takes two steps to complete one cycle
- Stepping Pace – a two-beat gait, faster than the walk, takes two steps to complete one cycle
- Running Walk – a four-beat gait, faster than the walk, takes four steps to complete one cycle
- Rack – a four-beat gait, faster than the trot, takes four steps to complete one cycle
- Single Foot – a four-beat gait, slower than the trot, takes four steps to complete one cycle
- Foxtrot – a two-beat gait, slower than the trot, takes two steps to complete one cycle
- Jog Trot – a two-beat gait, slower than the trot, takes two steps to complete one cycle
- Slow Gait – a four-beat gait, slower than the trot, takes four steps to complete one cycle
- Reverse Pace – a two-beat gait, faster than the trot, takes two steps to complete one cycle
How Can You Tell Which Gait a Horse is Performing?
The easiest way to tell which gait a horse is performing is to watch its feet. Horses can be trained to perform any of the artificial gaits, but the natural gaits are instinctive and can be seen much more easily.
When a horse is performing a walk, you will see four distinct hoof beats with each step. The horse will take one step with the left front and left rear hoof at the same time, followed by one step with the right front and right rear hoof.
At the trot, you will see two distinct hoof beats with each step. The horse will take one step with the left front and right rear hoof at the same time, followed by one step with the right front and left rear hoof.
At the canter/lope, you will see three distinct hoof beats with each step. The horse will take one step with the left front and left rear hoof at the same time, followed by one step with the right front hoof, then one step with the right rear hoof.
At the gallop, you will see four distinct hoof beats with each step. The horse will take one step with the left front and right rear hoof at the same time, followed by one step with the right front and left rear hoof.
What Are the Benefits of Each Gait?
Each gait has its own benefits, and it is important to understand these benefits in order to choose the best gait for your horse.
The walk is the slowest gait, and it is often used as a cool down or warm up for horses. It is also used as a way to build endurance and for horses to recover from injury.
The trot is a bit faster than the walk, and it is often used as a way to build strength and stamina in horses. It is also used to build balance and agility.
The canter/lope is a bit faster than the trot, and it is often used as a way to build speed and agility in horses. It is also used to build stamina and strength.
The gallop is the fastest gait, and it is often used as a way to build speed and power in horses. It is also used as a way to build endurance and stamina.
What Are the Different Types of Gaits?
As mentioned previously, there are two main types of gaits: natural and artificial. Natural gaits are instinctive and cannot be taught to a horse, while artificial gaits can be taught through training and/or special equipment.
The four natural gaits are the walk, trot, canter/lope and gallop. The eight artificial gaits are the pace, stepping pace, running walk, rack, single foot, foxtrot, jog trot and slow gait.
What Are the Different Types of Horses?
Horses come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and each type of horse has its own unique gait.
- Thoroughbreds – Thoroughbreds are a type of horse known for their speed and agility. They are typically used in racing and are able to perform the walk, trot, canter/lope and gallop.
- Quarter Horses – Quarter Horses are a type of horse known for their strength and agility. They are typically used in rodeos and are able to perform the walk, trot, canter/lope, gallop, and pace.
- Draft Horses – Draft Horses are a type of horse known for their strength and power. They are typically used for pulling heavy loads and are able to perform the walk, trot, canter/lope, gallop, pace, and stepping pace.
- Saddlebreds – Saddlebreds are a type of horse known for their elegance and grace. They are typically used in dressage and are able to perform the walk, trot, canter/lope, gallop, pace, stepping pace, running walk, and rack.
- Gaited Horses – Gaited Horses are a type of horse known for their smooth gaits. They are typically used in pleasure riding and are able to perform the walk, trot, canter/lope, gallop, pace, stepping pace, running walk, rack, single foot, foxtrot, jog trot, and slow gait.
What Are the Different Types of Riding?
The type of horse and the type of riding will often determine which gait is best for the horse.
- Dressage – Dressage is a type of riding that focuses on the horse’s natural gaits. The horse is asked to perform the walk, trot, canter/lope, and gallop. Additional gaits may be asked for, depending on the level of competition.
- Western – Western riding is a type of riding that focuses on the horse’s artificial gaits. The horse is asked to perform the walk, trot, canter/lope, gallop, pace, and stepping pace. Additional gaits may be asked for, depending on the type of event.
- Racing – Racing is a type of riding that focuses on the horse’s speed. The horse is asked to perform the gallop, and additional gaits may be asked for, depending on the type of event.
- Eventing – Eventing is a type of riding that focuses on the horse’s endurance. The horse is asked to perform the walk, trot, canter/lope, gallop, and additional gaits may be asked for, depending on the type of event.
- Pleasure Riding – Pleasure riding is a type of riding that focuses on the horse’s comfort. The horse is asked to perform the walk, trot, canter/lope, gallop, and additional gaits may be asked for, depending on the type of event.
What Are the Most Commonly Used Gaits?
The most commonly used gaits are the walk, trot, canter/lope and gallop. These gaits are used in all disciplines of riding, from dressage to western to racing.
In addition, many horses are also trained to perform the additional gaits, such as the pace, stepping pace, running walk, rack, single foot, foxtrot, jog trot, and slow gait. These gaits are often used in pleasure riding and some competitions.
What Are the Benefits of Understanding Gait?
Understanding gait is important for horse owners and riders, as it can help them choose the best gait for their horse and their level of riding. It can also help them identify any problems with their horse’s movement or soundness.
Understanding gait can also help riders understand the different types of horses and their gaits, as well as the different types of riding and the gaits used in each discipline.
Conclusion
Gait is an important concept for horse owners and riders to understand, as it can help them choose the best gait for their horse and their level of riding. Gait can also help them identify any problems with their horse’s movement or soundness.
Gait is divided into two categories – natural and artificial. Natural gaits include the walk, trot, canter/lope and gallop, while artificial gaits include the pace, stepping pace, running walk, rack, single foot, foxtrot, jog trot and slow gait.
Different types of horses have their own unique gaits, and the type of horse and the type of riding will often determine which gait is best for the horse. The most commonly used gaits are the walk, trot, canter/lope and gallop, but many horses are also trained to perform the additional gaits.
Understanding gait is essential for horse owners and riders, as it can directly affect the horse’s performance, soundness and ability.