Gaits

06/08/2008

	The gaits of a horse are identified on a gait spectrum. On one end of the spectrum is the Trot followed by the Fox Trot. In the middle of the spectrum are the Running Walk, Walk and Rack. On the opposite end of the gait spectrum is the Pace followed by the Step Pace. Below are brief definitions of what we believe are the different types of gaits that a horse can do.
	Trot - a diagonal gait with the front foot hitting the ground at the exact same time that the opposite back foot hits the ground. Beat is an even 2 beat count (1..2). This is a very rough gait and is common among the non-gaited breeds.
	Foxtrot - a diagonal gait with the front foot hitting the ground an instant before the the opposite back foot hits the ground. (front foot first). Beat is an uneven 4 beat count (1.2...3.4). This is a very smooth gait and is performed by the Missouri Fox Trotter. Stride and Lift - a very big factor in the foxtrot gait. For the front, the shoulder of the horse must be layed back with a horizontal line from shoulder to arm. This allows the horse to take long strides in the front with very little ground clearance. For the back, the hip line must be fairly short with a low stifle joint. This allows the horse to take short strides with ground clearance/lift. The appearance is that of a horse walking in the front and trotting in the back. Head shake - optional for the horse and is done on as needed basis for balance.
	Running Walk - a square gait with each foot hitting the ground independently of each other. Beat is an even 4 beat count (1.2.3.4.). This is a very smooth gait and is performed by the Tennessee Walking horse. Stride and Lift - a very big factor in the Run Walk gait. For the front, the shoulder of the horse must be somewhat vertical with a somewhat vertical line from shoulder to arm. This allows the horse to take short steps in the front with plenty of ability to lift up for good ground clearance. For the back, the hip must be fairly long with a high stifle joint. This allows the horse to drop down and take long strides with little ground clearance /lift. The back legs should be very long and can be camped in a little. Head shake - optional for the horse and is done on as needed basis for balance.
	Walk - a square gait with each foot hitting the ground independently of each other. Gait is slow and even and low to the ground. Beat is an even 4 beat count (1.2.3.4.). This is a very smooth gait and is performed by all gaited breeds. This is not the same as a slow walk that is common to all breeds. Stride and Lift - the front and back strides are even and not excessively long or short or high. Often times, you can have your horses do a Walk and then speed them up with some head collection and they will fall right into the Fox Trot or Run Walk or Rack. Headshake - optional for the horse and is done as needed for balance.
	Rack - a square gait with each foot hitting the ground independently of each other. Beat is an even 4 beat count (1.2.3.4.). This is a very smooth gait and is performed by several breeds including the Icelandic, Mountain Horse, Paso Fino, Peruvian Paso, Racking Horse, Singlefoot, and Spotted Saddle. Stride and Lift - varies among the different racking gait breeds. Headshake - none.
	Step Pace - a lateral gait with the back foot hitting the ground an instant before the front foot on the same side hits the ground. Beat is an uneven 4 beat count (1.2...3.4.). This is a very smooth gait and is an easy gait for the horse. It is common among the gaited breeds. Note - this is a very unhealthy gait for the horse. During the performance of the gait, there is a moment of time when the back of the horse is carrying all of the weight of the rider (there are no legs on the ground) and then one back leg hits the ground with full impact carrying the full weight of the rider. This leads to sway backs and hock and stifle problems in a short period of time.
	Pace - a lateral gait with the front foot hitting the ground at the exact same time that the back foot on the same side hits the ground. Beat is an even 2 beat count (1..2). This is a very rough gait and is common among the gaited breeds. Note - this is an unhealthy gait for the horse. During the performance of the gait, there is a moment of time when the back of the horse is carrying all of the weight of the rider (there are no legs on the ground) and then one side (two legs) hits the ground with full impact carrying the full weight of the rider. This leads to sway backs and hock and stifle problems over a long period of time.