All About Horse Gaits
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Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop!
Riding horses is lots of fun, but first you have to know a little about them, and how they run. I have been riding for about a year now, so I'm no expert - I'm just trying to share what I know with you. There are four main gaits. The walk, the trot, the canter, and the gallop.
Most beginners start at the walk and trot, until they can learn more about riding skills. The walk is the slowest of the gaits, and is very easy to control.
Once the riders progress, they can move on to higher gaits such as the canter. The canter is a rocking, running motion. It's the horses run. Once the rider gets really good, and feels truly comfortable, they can try the gallop.
Now the gallop is lots, and lots of fun. This is most horses fastest gait. It is a little bit like the canter, but much faster, and more fun! You have to be able to control your horse before you try the gallop.
Photo credit
Most beginners start at the walk and trot, until they can learn more about riding skills. The walk is the slowest of the gaits, and is very easy to control.
Once the riders progress, they can move on to higher gaits such as the canter. The canter is a rocking, running motion. It's the horses run. Once the rider gets really good, and feels truly comfortable, they can try the gallop.
Now the gallop is lots, and lots of fun. This is most horses fastest gait. It is a little bit like the canter, but much faster, and more fun! You have to be able to control your horse before you try the gallop.
Photo credit
Contents at a Glance
What is a Gait?
Explaining gaits.
What is a horses gait? A horses gait is the speed and way the horse runs or walks.Compared to us, here's what the horse gaits match up to "our gaits."
Their walk equals our walk. Their trot equals our jog. Their canter equals our run. And their gallop equals our sprint.
(I'm not saying we go as fast as them, I'm just trying to show you what they match up too.)
Still confused? Here, I'll explain gaits a little better.
All the gaits have different beats. (example: The walk has four beats.) Sometimes, a very slow trot is referred to as a "jog."
The gaits and their beats:
Walk ---> four beats.
Trot ---> two beats.
Canter ---> three beats.
Gallop ---> four beats.
Like I said in the intro text, beginners usually start out at a walk. As they learn more and more, and become comfortable on their horse, they can move on to other, more fun gaits. So if you ever get discouraged that you're only at a walk, keep trying, you'll get there!
Still really confused? Click here or here for more information about gaits.
What is your favorite?
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In your own words...explain what a horses gaits are!
I'd love to hear from you!
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sushilkin Jun 6, 2011 @ 3:36 am | delete
- I don't know much about horses but I love horse riding.
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Annamadagan
May 23, 2011 @ 9:49 am | delete
- I think I have already done that... :P
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Great horse gaits: Books and more!
Horse Gaits on Youtube!
A Horses Gaits!
Take a quiz and test your knowladge!
Quiz: A Horses Gaits
How much do you know about a horses gaits?
My Favorite Gait!
I love to canter and gallop!
My favorite horse gaits!
Cantering & Galloping!
I love to ride horses...if you guessed, you are right! I love to canter and to gallop. The truth is I have only galloped once, but I loved it. I have cantered plenty of times, and love that too! That is probably my 1st favorite because I have mastered it. Why don't I like trotting? It is a little too bumpy for me. But cantering...amazing. And galloping you don't even really have to do anything. You just let the horse go free! Cheyenne!
This is the lens I was talking about!
What is your favorite gait?
Thanks for stopping by!
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Annamadagan
May 23, 2011 @ 9:53 am | delete
- I love cantering and galloping! I hope you liked this lens: I really enjoyed making it!
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Please give me a thumbs up!
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About Anna
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by Annamadagan
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If you're going to be riding, you might want one of these!
Troxel® Spirit - Horseback Riding Helmet > (Blk Duratec-med.)
Amazon Price: $36.08 (as of 06/01/2012)
I don't own my own helmet, (the barn I ride at has some we can use) but it is a lot safer to ride with one!
