The gait of horses refers to the type of gait that the animal follows. This term is often used in relation to types of racing horses. But a normal gait also refers to the above concept. The main thing that is important to know about gaits is that each gait is characterized by a change in movements performed by the animal. The speed of the horse also depends on the type of movement.
Types of gaits
Horses make a lot of movements while running. Depending on the type of gait, the nature of muscle tension changes. As a result, this causes the animal's limbs to move differently.However, with each type of running there is a characteristic tact that is noticeable to both the outside observer and the rider. Gaits are divided into several types, combined into 2 large groups: natural and artificial.
Each running type is scored based on the following characteristics:
- Rhythm, or the period of time during which a horse lifts its hooves off the ground and sets them back down.
- TempoRhythm This indicator hides the number of blows made during movement.
- Support. The parameter determines the number of hooves that touch the ground at the same time.
- Step. This parameter refers to the distance between the hooves during movement.
- 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 result achieved in competitions depend on how accurately the animal follows the timing of a particular gait.
Basic
Natural (basic) gaits mean the type of running that animals perform 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 beats. 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:
- Short. In this case, the hind limbs are located at a considerable distance from the forelimbs.
- Average. The legs move after each other.
- Wide.With this type of movement, the hind legs extend behind the front legs.
The horse's training in gaits begins with a walk, and for the rider this is the start of exercises in controlling the animal. Due to the fact that the maximum speed during such movement does not exceed 8 km/h, it is possible to identify all the shortcomings while driving.
Lynx
The trot is a leisurely run at a speed not exceeding 10 km/h. This type of movement is push-pull, characterized by the occurrence of a so-called “freezing period.” In this case, the horse’s limbs simultaneously move as follows: first the right front and left hind, then the left and right, respectively (or vice versa). That is, the legs move crosswise during movement.
The rider feels the jolts of the horse as it moves at a trot. Therefore, the 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 may lose your balance and fall from the animal.
Depending on the speed of movement, the lynx is divided into the following types:
- Thor. Characterized by a short stride and slow speed.
- Collected. In this case, the steps shorten and become rhythmic. The horse begins to move a little faster.
- Sweep. The stride becomes longer and a “freezing period” appears.
- Max. Large stride and high speed.
- Frisky lynx. Frequent steps and maximum speed characteristic of a trot.
This type of movement is also divided into educational and lightweight. The difference between these types of trot comes down to the position of the rider in the saddle.
Gallop
This is a fast running style, the speed of which reaches 70 km/h. In their natural environment, horses begin to gallop when predators approach or when there is a need to cover long distances.When galloping, the limbs move in the following order:
- back;
- the front one, located on the same side, and the second back one;
- the remaining front.
Depending on the speed that the horse develops, gallop is divided into the following types:
- assembled (from 12 km/h);
- arena (up to 18 km/h);
- average (24-28 km/h);
- extended (48 km/h);
- quarry (over 60 km/h).
If an animal goes into a quarry, then the hind legs are often carried far beyond the front ones. The body at this moment begins to move rhythmically. The quarry is characterized by the fact that from the outside it seems as if the horse is jumping and not running.
Additional
Artificial (additional) types of gaits are characterized by the fact that horses are taught this type of movement by people. There are also varieties of running that are characteristic of a particular breed of animal.
Amble
Ambling is typical for American trotters and representatives of mountain riding breeds. With this style of riding, the horse moves faster than a trot, but moves just as easily. This gait is considered an intermediate option between natural and artificial. Running of this type also includes:
- Telt. This type of gait is characteristic of Icelandic horses. Horses with a body move in the same way as with a walk, but develop greater speed.
- Paso mino. A quick movement, but a small step.
- Marsha. This type of gait is considered a type of ambling, which is typical for Brazilian horses. As with the latter, marcha is a genetically determined type of running.
Compared to trotting, ambling 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 ambling is used when moving forward.
Half-amble
This type of gait resembles the previous one. But with half-ambling, the horse's stride changes. As in the previous case, the animal’s limbs begin to move simultaneously. However, with this style of movement, the back leg comes to the ground first, and then the front leg. Therefore, ambling is considered a two-beat gait, and half-ambling is considered a four-beat gait.
Hoda
Walking means an irregular, intermittent trot. With this type of movement, the hind hooves land on the ground later than the front hooves, resulting in 4 knocks. It is believed that walking is more comfortable for the rider than trotting. This running style is characteristic of American horses, which were previously used for harvesting crops on plantations. However, some breeds of horses move this way from birth.
Tropota
Tropota is another type of irregular gait. With this style, the front legs move at a trot, the hind legs at a gallop. The opposite situation is also possible. Tropota is different in that it characterizes the nervous state of the horse. If the animal begins to move unevenly, this indicates the horse’s desire to quickly end up in the stall.
Tramping also occurs in cases where horses need more movement, but the rider does not give it. In addition, in some animals this running style is caused by disturbances in the structure of the spine.
Useful tips and tricks
Most horses are able to adhere to the above types of gaits over a relatively large period of time. However, when trampling, the rider must pay increased attention to the condition of the animal.In particular, in such cases the rider must turn the horse's head to the side. Thanks to this, the animal will begin to walk, but after a few meters it will return to walking again. Therefore, this procedure must be carried out constantly. The danger of trotting is that over time this type of gait will become familiar to the animal. And the horse will stop running differently.
