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Equine
Equine Sciences Extension
Program
Horse Locomotion - Canter
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Table of Contents
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Characteristics
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- Defined as a collected or restrained gallop.
- A 3-beat gait.
- Base of support changes from one to two diagonal
to one leg supporting weight.
- Period of suspension - is the best time for
the rider to ask horse for a lead change.
- Average speed 6-10 mph.
- Natural gait to all breeds.
- Sequence of steps changes depending on lead
and direction of travel
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Leg sequence = right or left lead,
depending which foreleg is leading; in a circular path,
the inside foreleg and inside hind leg travel in a more
advanced position. (See figure below).
Right lead: Left hind -- 1st beat
Right hind/left front -- 2nd beat
Right front -- 3rd beat
Period of suspension - after right front leaves ground
Left lead: Right hind -- 1st beat
Left hind/right front -- 2nd beat
Left front -- 3rd beat
Period of suspension - after left front leaves ground
Disunited Canter (Cross-firing) =
When the horse, for example, changes from left lead
to right lead in the front, but does not change the
hind legs, or vice versa. The sequence for this example
would be: RH, LH and LF, RF
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