Equine Sciences Extension Program
Horse Locomotion - Pace
Table of Contents
Characteristics
- 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.
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
