The gaits of horses are a way of moving them in space, on which the strength, speed, smoothness and endurance of the animal directly depend.
Historically, a certain structure of movements has developed, which has survived to this day and includes two main groups:
1. Natural Movements
These include the gaits with which the animal is able to move from birth, for example, walk, trot, gallop. Let's take a closer look at them.
Step - the slowest way of movement, when the horse alternately rearranges the back and diagonally placed front foot. Why does the move start with the back foot? The answer is simple enough. Like any other kind of gait, this one is directly dependent on the center of gravity of the horse. An animal with a properly set head and neck - the main regulators and counterweights - has a center of gravity in the front of the body, which, in turn, is slightly heavier than the back. Thus, the horse substitutes a more "free" leg in order to bring forward the loaded front. As a result of such a gradual shift in the center of gravity, you can clearly hearfour kicks on the ground. The modern riding school highlights the collected, medium, extended, and free stride.
The trot is a type of gait characterized by clear movements in two measures. The horse simultaneously brings forward the left hind and right front legs, after which the suspension phase follows, then there is a repulsion from the ground and a simultaneous forward movement of the right hind and left front legs. As a result of this, two hoof hits on the ground are heard. The "short trot" gait is widespread in dressage, where, in addition to it, a medium and extended trot are distinguished. Each of these types is distinguished by the so-called overlap length of the previous trace. Thus, in the first case, the trail from the hind foot does not overlap the footprint from the front foot, in the second case it overlaps one another, and in the third case the foot footprint extends far beyond the front one.
Canter is a three-stroke progressive movement, when the horse moves in fast jumps with a fairly long suspension phase. This kind of gait also has several types: collected, medium and extended gallop (quarry). The riding school distinguishes between movement with the right and with the left foot, depending on which foot the horse brings forward further. When moving in a circle, it is more convenient for the horse to make the "leading" leg that is closer to the center of the circle. This ensures a steady and harmonious movement.
2. Artificial movements
To this categoryrank skills that were obtained as a result of communication with a person. They are a mixture of various natural movements that the horse can perform voluntarily, but when properly trained, are performed on command. For example, piaffe is a kind of gait when the horse raises its legs, as if at a trot, but at the same time it is in place. A similar element can easily be seen in a prancing overexcited horse. In addition to piaffe, artificial movements include passage, pirouette, half, shoulder, traverse, spanish step and many others.
