Horse & Pony Gaits
Gaits are the way a horse or pony can move, either naturally or through training
Horse & Pony Gaits Explained
Review the animations and graphics below to better understand the walk, trot, canter, and gallop.
Take the Gaits quiz at the bottom of the page to test your knowledge!
Walk
The walk is a gait with four beats. It does not have a moment of suspension and it averages 4 mph.
Trot
The trot has two beats, averages 6 mph and has a moment of suspension. The legs move in diagonal pairs.
1st Beat: Left Fore Leg/Right Hind Leg
2nd Beat: Right Fore Leg/Left Hind Leg
Canter
The canter is a gait with three beats. It averages 8 mph and has a moment of suspension. A western canter is called a lope.
Right Lead Canter
Left Lead Canter
Gallop
The gallop has four beats, averages 15 mph and has a moment of suspension. A hand gallop isn’t actually a gallop, but a faster canter.
Right Lead Gallop
Left Lead Gallop
Activity Book On Horsemanship For Kids
A Reader’s Favorite 5 Star award winner and Academics’ Choice Smart Book award winner, this fun and educational activity book teaches horsemanship skills with mazes, puzzles, crafts & activities that instruct and entertain.
Learn about horse & pony markings, grooming tools, types of tack, breeds, gaits, how to measure horses and more! Makes a great gift for horse-loving kids!
