What Are Six Gaits of the Horse?

Questions

  1. A four beat gait, with varying speeds. The sequence of hoof beats is right fore, left hind, left fore, right hind. Both feet on one side strike the ground before the feet on the opposite side strike the ground.
  2. A two beat gait in which the paired diagonal feet strike and leave the ground simultaneously. Between each beat there is a period of suspension in which all four feet are off the ground.
  3. A two beat gait in which the lateral limbs strike the ground simultaneously. There is a lateral base of support and a period of suspension with all four feet off the ground which occurs between each beat. Because the horse is shifting its weight from side to side, there is a rolling motion to the gait.
  4. A three beat gait in which the first and third beats are made by two legs striking the ground independently and the second beat is made by two limbs striking the ground simultaneously.
  5. A four beat gait. The gait is similar to number 4 except that the paired diagonal limbs do not land at the same time. A period of suspension follows the four beats.
  6. This gait is number two in reverse. It has two beats in which the diagonal pairs of legs work together.

Answers

  1. Walk
  2. Trot
  3. Pace
  1. Canter
  2. Run
  3. Back


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