Horse gaits: what types are there and additional recommendations

A horse's gait refers to the type of gait that an animal follows. Often this term is used in relation to varieties of running horses. But the usual gait also applies to the above concept. The main thing that is important to know about gaits is that each gait is characterized by a change in the movements made by the animal. The speed of the horse also depends on the type of movement.

Types of gaits

Horses make many movements while running. Depending on the type of gait, the nature of muscle tension changes. As a consequence, because of this, the limbs of the animal move differently.However, with each type of run, a characteristic tact is observed, noticeable both to an outside observer and to the rider. Gates are divided into several types, combined into 2 large groups: natural and artificial.

Each type of run is judged based on the following characteristics:

1. Rhythm, or the period of time during which the horse takes his hooves off the ground and puts them back.
2. Tempo. This indicator hides the number of hits made while moving.
3. Support. The parameter determines the number of hooves that touch the ground at the same time.
4. Step. This parameter refers to the distance between the hooves during movement.
5. Frequency, or the number of steps a horse takes every minute.

The way a horse moves is important mainly for professional riders. The score and the result achieved in the competition depend on how accurately the animal observes the beat of a particular gait.

Basic

Natural (basic) gaits are understood as the type of running that animals do on their own. That is, a person does not teach a horse how to move. Despite the fact that natural gaits are inherent in animals from birth, these types of running are also characterized by a number of features common to all horses.

Step

This type of walking is inherent in all horses, regardless of age and breed. A step is characterized by four measures. During such movement, the animal first brings forward the right forelimb, then alternately:

• right rear;
• left front;
• left rear.

The step is also divided into 3 types. This type of walking happens:

1. Short. In this case, the hind limbs are located at a considerable distance from the front.
2. Medium. Legs move one after another.
3. Wide. With this type of movement, the hind legs go behind the front.

Teaching the horse gaits begins with the walk, and for the rider this is the start of animal control exercises. Due to the fact that the maximum speed during this movement does not exceed 8 km / h, it is possible to identify all the shortcomings while driving.

Lynx

A trot is a leisurely run at which the speed does not exceed 10 km/h. This type of movement is two-stroke, characterized by the occurrence of the so-called "hanging period". In this case, the horse's limbs simultaneously move as follows: first, the right front and left rear, then the left and right, respectively (or vice versa). That is, the legs move crosswise during movement.

The rider feels the jolts of a trotting horse. Therefore, a person who is in the saddle at this moment must adapt to the current type of movement and rise in a timely manner. Otherwise, you can lose balance and fall off the animal.

Depending on the speed of movement, the lynx is divided into the following types:

1. Thor. Characterized by a short stride and slow movement speed.
2. Assembled. Steps in this case are shortened and become rhythmic. The horse starts moving a little faster.
3. Sweep. The stride becomes longer and there is a "hang period".
4. Max. Big stride and high speed.
5. Strong lynx. Frequent strides and maximum speed typical of a trot.

This type of movement is also divided into training and lightweight. The difference between these types of lynx comes down to the position of the rider in the saddle.

Gallop

This is a fast running style that reaches speeds of up to 70 km/h. In the natural environment, horses go to a gallop when predators approach or when it becomes necessary to overcome long distances. When galloping, the limbs move in the following order:

• rear;
• front, located on the same side, and the second back;
• remaining front.

Depending on the speed that the horse develops, the canter is not divided by the following types:

• assembled (from 12 km/h);
• manege (up to 18 km/h);
• medium (24-28 km/h);
• extended (48 km/h);
• quarry (over 60 km/h).

If the animal goes to the quarry, then the hind legs are often carried far beyond the front. The body at this moment begins to move rhythmically. The quarry is characterized by the fact that from the side it seems that the horse is jumping, not running.

Additional

Artificial (additional) types of gaits are characterized by the fact that people teach this type of horse movement. There are also varieties of running that are specific to a particular breed of animal.

Amble

The amble is characteristic of American trotters and representatives of mountain riding breeds. With this style of riding, the horse moves faster than the trot, but moves just as easily. This gait is considered an intermediate option between natural and artificial. This type of run also includes:

1. Telt. This type of gait is typical for Icelandic horses. Horses with a calf move in the same way as with a step, but develop greater speed.
2. Paso Mino. A brisk movement, but a small step.
3. Marsha. This type of gait is considered a kind of amble, which is characteristic of Brazilian horses. As with the last one, the march is a genetically determined form of running.

Compared to the trot, the amble is more comfortable for the rider, as the horse moves faster, but the person experiences less discomfort.With this style, the right or left legs move simultaneously. Because of this, the horse becomes clumsy, so the amble is used when moving forward.

Half amble

This type of gait resembles the previous one. But with half amble, the horse's step changes. As in the previous case, the limbs of the animal begin to move simultaneously. However, with this style of movement, the hind leg first falls to the ground, and then the front leg. Therefore, the amble is considered a two-beat gait, and the half-amble is considered a four-beat.

Hoda

A gait is an irregular broken trot. With this type of movement, the hind hooves fall to the ground later than the front ones, as a result of which 4 knocks are heard. It is believed that the move is more convenient for the rider than the trot. This style of running is characteristic of American horses, which were previously used when harvesting on plantations. However, some breeds of horses move like this from birth.

Tropota

Tropota is another type of incorrect gait. With this style, the front legs move at a trot, the hind legs at a gallop. The reverse situation is also possible. Tropota differs in that it characterizes the nervous state of the horse. If the animal begins to move unevenly, then this indicates the desire of the horse to get to the stall faster.

Also, troubling occurs when horses need more movement, but the rider does not give it. In addition, in some animals, this running style is due to abnormalities in the structure of the spine.

Useful tips and tricks

Most horses are able to maintain the above gaits for a relatively long time. However, when trotting, the rider needs to pay increased attention to the condition of the animal. In particular, the rider in such cases must turn the horse's head to the side.Thanks to this, the animal will move to a walk, but after a few meters it will again return to the tropota. Therefore, this procedure must be carried out constantly. The danger of tromping lies in the fact that over time this type of gait will become familiar to the animal. And the horse will stop running differently.

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