Movement in Horses

Question 1

Characteristics of good movers that are common among most disciplines:

Answer 1

-purity of gaits
-straightness
-lightness
-engagement
-dynamic balance

Question 2

What are the symmetrical gaits?

Answer 2

walk and trot
-the paired legs move the same (front and hind)

Question 3

What are the asymmetrical gaits?

Answer 3

canter and gallop
-one side should reach further ahead on a specific lead

Question 4

How many beats is a walk?

Answer 4

4 - evenly spaced beats and steps

Question 5

How many beats is a trot?

Answer 5

2 - diagonal gait

Question 6

How many beats is the canter?

Answer 6

3 beats
left lead = right outside hind, right outside front, left inside hind, left inside front

Question 7

How many beats is the gallop?

Answer 7

4 beats
-hind, hind, front, front, moment of suspension

Question 8

Suspension

Answer 8

moment of time when the horse is off the groun

Question 9

Purity of gaits 1

Answer 9

a correct footfall pattern (ex: a canter should be 3 beats not 4)

Question 10

Purity of gaits 2

Answer 10

correct timing (rhythm) of footfalls (sometimes also called cadence)

Question 11

Purity of gaits 3

Answer 11

regularity of stride length

Question 12

Stride length

Answer 12

distance from the point of break-over of a hoof to where that hoof next contacts the ground

Question 13

Regularity

Answer 13

the stride length is consistent from one stride to the next

Question 14

Purity of gaits 4

Answer 14

regularity of tempo
-the tempo is consistent from one stride to the next

Question 15

Tempo

Answer 15

the rate of stride repetition

Question 16

Straightness

Answer 16

-each limb swings straight
-each foot lands evenly
-hind legs track on the same path as fore legs

Question 17

Lightness (softness)

Answer 17

minimal amount of force/impact during landing
-minimal amount of effort needed to initiate and maintain movement

Question 18

Engagement

Answer 18

1. stepping under of the hindlimb
2. lifting of the back and forehand
   -the back transmits the power of the hind quarter and the body works as a connect unit
   -engagement of the hind end will free the shoulder and forelimb

Question 19

Tracking up

Answer 19

hind foot lands in the print of the fore foot

Question 20

Overstep

Answer 20

hind foot lands in front of the print of the fore foot

Question 21

Dynamic balance

Answer 21

maintaining balance of body and limbs while in motion
-at different gaits
-at different speeds
-on different surfaces
-during turns and circles
-when ridden
-up and down hills

Question 22

“good movement”

Answer 22

-not all good movers are good at every gait
-some have a good canter but not a good trot
-some gaits are more/less important in some disciplines than others

Question 23

What two gaits are often said to be related in “good movement”

Answer 23

walk and canter

Question 24

Characteristics that vary among disciplines and breeds

Answer 24

-stride length
-flexion and animation of the limbs
-amount of suspension
-scope and elasticity

Question 25

What is the stride length between poles in western trail?

Answer 25

6-7 ft

Question 26

What is the stride length between fences in hunter courses?

Answer 26

12-13 ft

Question 27

Flexion and animation of limbs

Answer 27

amount of bend in joints
-height of foot flight

Question 28

What is looked at during suspension in the trot, canter, and gallop?

Answer 28

-length (how far they go when theyre off the ground)
-height (lower is less energy, higher is more energy)

Question 29

Scope and elasticity in the gaits

Answer 29

ability to shorten and lengthen the stride while maintaining cadence
-the ability to increase speed by lengthening the stride
-the ability to increase or decrease speed without breaking a gait