Explanation
Walk, trot and canter: three ways of coordinating the steps
The walk always keeps at least one hoof on the ground; the trot alternates diagonal pairs with a suspension phase, and the canter arranges support in an asymmetrical sequence.
A stride, from one support to the next
A useful way to compare the gaits is to follow the same limb through a complete cycle: from one position until it returns to that position. In this cycle, the support phase, when the hoof touches the ground, alternates with the swing phase, when it is in the air. The coordination of the limbs and body produces the rhythmic sequence that enables forward movement.
The walk: overlapping supports
The walk is a symmetrical, four-beat gait. The sequence described by IFCE is: right hind, right fore, left hind and left fore. The support phases overlap: at least one limb is always in contact with the ground, so there is no aerial phase. Between the collected and extended walk, the stated speed increases from 1.2 to 1.8 m/s, mainly because the stride lengthens.
The trot: diagonals and suspension
In the trot, footfalls are grouped into two diagonal pairs: first one diagonal, then a suspension phase, followed by the opposite diagonal. It is therefore classified as a jumping, symmetrical gait. The IFCE fact sheet gives speeds ranging from 2.8 to 14.2 m/s for its variations; this is not a single speed that applies to every horse or situation. At high speeds, or in certain contexts, the diagonal pairs can become desynchronized and the rhythm may be perceived as four-beat.
The canter: an asymmetrical sequence
The canter is asymmetrical and is described as a three-beat gait. On the left lead, the stated sequence is right hind, right diagonal and left fore; on the right lead, the sides are reversed. The diagonal may show a slight separation between the footfalls of its two limbs, particularly in the collected canter. The IFCE fact sheet notes that this difference—around 30 milliseconds in the example it presents—is not visible to the naked eye.
The pattern depends on context
The figures and sequences describe patterns, not an identical rule for every individual and speed. The biomechanical review concerns dressage horses and examines, among other movements, collected trot; its findings in that context should not be confused with a universal description of the trot. In general, identifying a gait by the sequence of footfalls is more reliable than trying to distinguish the position of each leg by eye when the horse is moving quickly.
Sources
- A Review of Biomechanical Gait Classification with Reference ... · pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Les allures du cheval : des définitions et des chiffres · Institut français du cheval et de l’équitation