Natural Gaits

gait

Any of the ways by which an animal can move by lifting the feet in a different order or rhythm

Natural gait

Those that the animal adopts without training

Artificial gaits

Those exhibited by animals via training or breeding & is not found in the wild

Limb terms

Near limb - left limbs

Far limb - right limb

Support phase - limb on ground/jts in extension

Swing phase - limb off ground/jts in flextion

Suspension - all limbs off ground

Stride - distance b/w imprints of same foot

Step - distance b/w 2 forelimb/himdlimb

Walking

Support & Swing phase

Swing phase (green) - foot off ground in flexion

Support phase (blue) - foot on ground in extension

Suspension

All limbs off the ground

All limbs are in swing phase

Stride

Distance b/w imprints of same foot

• secretariat had a stride of 29 ft. - full gallop

• Fastest horses gallop on average of 25-30 mph

Step

Distance b/w 2 forelimbs or hind limbs

Natural gaits: beats

2, 3, or 4 beat - dictated by # of separate foot strikes in a single cycle

Natural gaits: symmetry

symmetrical - both sides of the body performing the same movement - through maybe not at the same time

asymmetrical - each side of the body performing different movements (Ex. has a lead)

Lead

lead limb - farther forward placed forelimb

• turns easier to side of the lead limb

• lead changes occur in suspension w/ lead hindlimb striking the ground 1st

• lead limb bears most of the body weight and fatigues faster - need to change leads (horse racing)

Types of natural gaits

• walk

• trot

• pace

• canter/lope

• gallop/run

Walk

4 beats, symmetrical, 3 feet on ground at a time

Trot

2 beat, symmetrical, diagonal limbs strike together, brief moment of suspension (phase 1/3 - called passage)

Pace

2 beat, symmetrical, same side limbs strike (Ex. RH, RF), brief moment of suspension (passage, phase 1/3), natural for some

Trot vs. Pace

Canter/lope

Slow gallop; 3 beat, asymmetrical, “lead”, diagonal limbs strike together, other 2 limbs are “lead” limbs and are independent; period of suspension

Gallop/run

4 beat, asymmetrical, period of suspension, on a “lead”

same as canter but faster which results in 4 beats