Most horse breeds possess the 4 natural gaits described below. However, some breeds
have a 5th, 6th or 7th gait that is either natural or trained. Please keep that in mind when
you view this article.
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:
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(1st beat) right hind leg
(2nd beat) right fore leg
(3rd beat) left hind leg
(4th beat) left fore leg
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Trot:
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").
The horse lifts his hooves as follows:
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(1st beat) right fore / left hind
(2nd beat) left fore / right hind
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Canter:
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.
The horse lifts his hooves as follows:
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The Right-Lead Canter:
(1st beat) left hind leg
(2nd beat) right hind / left fore
(3rd beat) right fore leg
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The Left-Lead Canter:
(1st beat) right hind leg
(2nd beat) left hind / right fore
(3rd beat) left fore leg
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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:
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The Right-Lead Gallop:
(1st beat) left hind leg
(2nd beat) right hind leg
(3rd beat) left fore leg
(4th beat) right fore leg
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The Left-Lead Gallop:
(1st beat) right hind leg
(2nd beat) left hind leg
(3rd beat) right fore leg
(4th beat) left fore leg
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Other Natural and Trained Gaits:
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'. However, we will point you
to other articles that we have found on the internet which describe specific gaits. If anyone
feels that any of these articles lead to false information, please don't hesitate to
inform us.
Lateral Gaits - Tolt
Words To Remember:
Lead:
The term "lead" is used to tell which fore leg
of the horse is farther forward (leading). This term is used only in
the canter and gallop. A horse is on his "left lead" when his left fore
leg is leading and on his "right lead" when his right fore leg is leading.
(see above diagrams).
Posting:
The term "posting" is used to describe the up-and-down
pattern of the trot. When you post, you raise out of the saddle for one beat,
and sit down in the saddle for one beat. This pattern usually creates a more comfortable
trot for both the horse and rider.
Diagonal:
The term "diagonal" refers to which fore leg is
moving forward while you are in the up position of the posting trot.
You should always be in the up position of the posting trot when the
the horse's outside fore leg (closest to the arena wall) is
farther forward.
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