Movement and Structure of Equine Athletes

Question 1

What is a gait

Answer 1

A repetitive series of hoof movements

Question 2

What is stride length

Answer 2

The distance from the point of ground contact of a hoof to the next point of ground contact for that hoof at a specific gait

Question 3

What is stride rate

Answer 3

The number of strides per unit time

Question 4

Wha is the average speed for a race horse

Answer 4

40mph

Question 5

What changes in movement would you do to employ to move faster

Question 6

Gaits can be what beats

Answer 6

2,3, or 4

Question 7

Can gaits be symmetrical or asymmetrical

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

What to horses commonly do to stay comfortable

Answer 8

They will switch gaits to the most comfortable in that given situation

Question 9

How are gaits determined

Answer 9

Number of beats and footfall pattern (comparing the movement of paired legs)

Question 10

What are you looking for in symmetrical gaits

Answer 10

That the paired limbs move the same

Question 11

What are you looking for in asymmetrical gaits

Answer 11

The paired legs do not move the same

Question 12

What is a moment of suspension

Answer 12

The moment of time when all four legs are off the ground

Question 13

What are the usual gaits

Answer 13

Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop

Question 14

Explain the walk foot fall

Answer 14

Left rear, Left front, Right rear, Right front
4 separate beats each space equally in length and in time
Symmetrical gait with no moment of suspension

Question 15

Explain the trop foot fall

Answer 15

Left rear and right front, left front and right rear
2 beat, equally spaced in length and time, symmetrical, moment of suspension

Question 16

Explain the canter

Answer 16

One diagonal pair lands together and the other two legs land independently
3 beat gait, asymmetrical, brief moment of suspension between 3 and 1
Legs on one side will reach further (leading leg)

Question 17

What are the two different cantering footfalls

Answer 17

Right lead: Left rear, Left front and right rear, Right front
Left lead: Right rear, Left rear and Right front, Left front

Question 18

Explain the gallop

Answer 18

Each leg lands independently
One leg on one side reaches more froward (lead leg)
Asymmetrical

Question 19

What is the footfall patter of the two leads at a gallop

Answer 19

Right lead: Left rear, Right rear, Left front, Right front
Left lead: Right rear, Left rear, Right front, Left front

Question 20

List gaits, number of beats, if asymmetric or symmetrical and if moment of suspension

Answer 20

Walk- 4 beat, symmetrical, no suspension
Trot- 2 beat, symmetrical, suspension
Canter – 3 beats, asymmetrical, suspension
Gallop – 4 beats, asymmetrical, suspension