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Equine Sciences Extension
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Horse Locomotion - Gallop
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Characteristics
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- 4-beat gait.
- Fastest gait of horse (12-20 mph).
- Similar to canter (lope), but the paired diagonals
do not land at the same time - extended to two
beats: hind foot hits before the diagonal front
foot.
- Has right or left lead depending on direction
of travel.
- Period of suspension is after last front foot
leaves ground.
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Sequence of steps will change depending on lead --
race horses will change leads during race to shift weight
and decrease fatigue on leading foreleg.
Natural gait to all breeds.
- Thoroughbred has been bred for
his speed at this gait.
- Faster race horses found to spend
a shorter period of time in the stance phase of this
gait; less time with feet on the ground (See figures
below).
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