Definition
A gait is the specific pattern in which an animal moves its legs to travel at a given speed. In horses, each gait has a defined footfall sequence, number of beats per stride, and characteristic rhythm that distinguishes it from other gaits. The term covers both natural gaits, which horses perform without training, and acquired gaits, which are bred or trained into specific breeds.
The Four Natural Gaits
The four natural gaits of the horse are the walk, trot, canter, and gallop. The walk is a four-beat gait in which each hoof strikes the ground individually in a regular sequence. The trot is a two-beat diagonal gait in which pairs of legs on opposite corners move together. The canter is a three-beat gait with a moment of suspension, and the gallop is a four-beat gait at maximum speed with a full phase of suspension. The lope is the Western riding term for the canter performed at a slower, more collected pace.
Acquired and Ambling Gaits
Beyond the four natural gaits, some breeds perform ambling or gaited movements that replace or supplement the trot. The paso fino, running walk, and rack are examples of four-beat ambling gaits that provide a smoother ride at speed. These gaits have a genetic basis, present in certain breeds and refined through selective breeding and training. The American Saddlebred, for example, is bred for the slow gait and rack in addition to the three standard gaits.
Gait in Equine Assessment
Evaluating a horse’s gaits is central to lameness examination, conformation assessment, and competition judging. A farrier considers how a horse moves when assessing hoof imbalance that affects footfall quality and rhythm. In dressage, the purity and regularity of each gait are scored directly. In veterinary contexts, abnormalities in gait — shortened stride, asymmetric footfall, or altered rhythm — are primary diagnostic signals for lameness conditions.
Further Reading
For a more detailed treatment of equine gait mechanics and variation: