Horses Gaits

Horses have four gaits the walk, trot, canter and gallop which enables them to travel for many miles over varied terrain often with great stamina and speed. Each gait has the horses legs moving in a set order. The horses left hand side is known as their nearside with the foreleg being called the near fore and the hind leg being called the near hind. The right hand side is known as the offside with the foreleg called the off fore and the hind leg called the off hind.

The Walk

The walk is a four time movement, which means that each leg moves on its own and in a set order. The horses near hind starts the pace off followed by the near fore, then the off hind with the off fore being the last leg to go down. When the horse is walking it should track up, this means that the hind hoof should fit into or in front of the hoof print of the forefoot. The average pace that a horse will walk is around 2 to 5 mph. Collected Walk

The collected walk is where the horse remains light and on the bit with even and active footfalls, the steps are shorter but with more engagement from the hindquarters to give a lively active march. Medium Walk

The medium walk is where the horse lengthens out the stride and covers slightly more ground than when in collected walk. The horse should still remain on the bit and with even footfalls and with a marching rhythm. Extended Walk

The extended walk is where the horse lengthens the stride out to the maximum that is possible. The horse remains on the bit and the steps should be active and even with the hind legs extending as much as the forelegs, the horses frame will lengthen slightly during extended walk. Free Walk

The free walk is where the horse stretches down the rein to open out there frame. A light contact with the reins should be kept by the rider.

The walk is a four time movement, which means that each leg moves on its own and in a set order. The horses near hind starts the pace off followed by the near fore, then the off hind with the off fore being the last leg to go down. When the horse is walking it should track up, this means that the hind hoof should fit into or in front of the hoof print of the forefoot. The average pace that a horse will walk is around 2 to 5 mph.