Equine Production - Horse Gaits

• The gait of a horse refers to the different sequences in which the horse's feet touch the ground
• Western horse jogs and lopes
• English horse trots and canters
• The walk has four beat rhythm. Each foot is picked up and set down in sequence. The horse's back is level at the walk
• Trot/Jog has a two beat rhythm. Diagonal front and hind feet move at the same time. This is called diagonal movement. The horse's back has a regular up and down movement.
• Canter/lope is a three beat gait with a movement of suspension (hesitation). The head and neck are carried above the natural position of the neck to lift the forequarters and help front leg action.
• Gallop is a horse's fastest gait, and is a four beat gait, with a movement of suspension. The body of a horse is more stretched out when it gallops than with any other gait   
• Backup is a two beat rhythm at diagonal pairs
• Stride is the term used to measure the distance covered between two successive steps of the same hoof in any gait.
• When the horse lopes/canters, it reaches further front with one leg that is called the lead
• When the front and hind legs are not on the same lead, it is called crossfiring