What are gaited horses? The term gaited can be confusing since the movements of all horses and ponies the walk, the canter, etc. are called gaits. However, the term 'gaited horse' has come to mean a horse that can perform an intermediate gait, between a walk and a canter, which is different than a two-beat trot. This intermediate gait may be a fox trot, a rack, a running walk or a stepping pace, depending on the way the individual horse moves. Various breed organisations may a variety terms or others (paso corto, paso largo, paso llano, sobreandando, tolt, running walk, single-foot, slow gait, show walk, ravaal, foxtrot and many others) to describe their breed's way of moving.
Gaited horses' gaits can be described by the pattern of their footfalls. The chart below lists some gaited breeds, with their some of their gaits and footfall rhythms, where 1 = left hind foot, 2 = left front foot, 3 = right hind foot and 4 = right front foot.
The gaits can differ in the amount of action shown by the horses as well as the speed, length of stride and other minor details.
FAQs
Is the gait natural?
Yes. Gaited horses are born with the ability to gait. The way that an individual gaited horse moves will depend on both its inherited ability and its training. Although there is a misconception that gaited horses gait solely because of inhumane training practices, this is the by far exception rather than the rule. Gaited horses gait because they can, rather than because they've been forced to do so. As in any equine activity there are those who train gaited horse who use harsh methods to attempt to achieve a specific end, but fortunately they are a very small minority.
Can a cross with non-gaited breeds gait?
Sometimes, but to be assured of a gaited off-spring it's best to breed a gaited horse to a gaited horse.
Where are gaited horses found?
Just about everywhere! In addition to the more well-known North and South America breeds (and the Icelandic of course!) there are many more gaited horse breeds such as:
Gaited horses' gaits can be described by the pattern of their footfalls. The chart below lists some gaited breeds, with their some of their gaits and footfall rhythms, where 1 = left hind foot, 2 = left front foot, 3 = right hind foot and 4 = right front foot.
The gaits can differ in the amount of action shown by the horses as well as the speed, length of stride and other minor details.
FAQs
Is the gait natural?
Yes. Gaited horses are born with the ability to gait. The way that an individual gaited horse moves will depend on both its inherited ability and its training. Although there is a misconception that gaited horses gait solely because of inhumane training practices, this is the by far exception rather than the rule. Gaited horses gait because they can, rather than because they've been forced to do so. As in any equine activity there are those who train gaited horse who use harsh methods to attempt to achieve a specific end, but fortunately they are a very small minority.
Can a cross with non-gaited breeds gait?
Sometimes, but to be assured of a gaited off-spring it's best to breed a gaited horse to a gaited horse.
Where are gaited horses found?
Just about everywhere! In addition to the more well-known North and South America breeds (and the Icelandic of course!) there are many more gaited horse breeds such as:
- Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia
- Basuto - South Africa
- Campolina Horse - Brazil
- Chamurthi or Spiti Pony - India
- Marwari Horse - India
- Merens - France
- Messara (or Cretan) horse - Crete
- Transkei - South Africa