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Equine Sciences Extension
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Horse Locomotion - Pace
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Characteristics
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- A rapid 2-beat lateral gait.
- Horse tends to throw body from side to side
(termed a body pacer)
- Generally used in harness racing, not for
riding -- the swinging action of horse’s
body makes it uncomfortable to ride.
- Is faster than the trot; average speed 6
up to 30 mph.
- Is homozygous recessive genetic trait.
- Not a natural gait to all breeds.
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Breed’s pace is natural to:
- Standardbred - bred to race under harness.
- Icelandic - small horse 13.2 - 14 hands, weighing
up to 1000 pounds; has 5 natural gaits: walk, trot,
canter, pace and tolt (running walk). Pace used for
short distances at high speed; known to reach up to
40 mph (See picture following page)
Sequence of steps is unchanged.
Leg sequence =
- left hind/left front -- 1st beat
- right hind/right front -- 2nd beat
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