Gaits of a Horse

This is the walk. It is the gait that the horse warms up with and is the gait most often used on commercial trail rides.  There are 4 beats, each hoof for one beat.

This is the trot.  To all you non horsey people out there who haven't ridden much: IT'S THE BUMPY GAIT! (If you don't post!) First, the left hind and right fore together, then the right hind and left fore together.  There are 2 beats all together.

This is the canter.  It is very smooth and is the gait most often used for show jumping.  There are 3 beats, first one hind leg, then the other hind leg and a front leg, and then the other front leg. (Did that sound confusing?)  It's really smooth!

This is the gallop.  It has 4 beats, with each hoof getting one beat  This is the gait used for racing.