Equine Sciences Extension Program

Horse Locomotion - Canter

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Walk
• Trot
• Canter
• Gallop
• Back
• Pace

Characteristics

• 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

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