This article was created for the rider starting out with horses and wanting to improve their riding skills and knowledge.

 

I

 

t does not matter whether you are a Grand Prix Dressage rider, an Event rider, or Pony Clubber the basic fundamentals of all four gaits should be understood if we are to ride in rhythm with our horses.  Majority of the movements seen in an upper level Dressage test can be witnessed by horses in their natural state of play without the added weight of a rider, and so, we should be committed to learning about our own balance so that the horse’s rhythm is enhanced not hindered by our presence, therefore we feel like we are moving as one with our partner, the horse.  It is when we feel these gaits,  understand the mechanics, that we are able to then begin to ask for variations within the four basic gaits, for example lengthening if the stride.

LET THE HORSE’S RHYTHM TEACH YOU HOW TO MOVE WITH HIM

 

THE WALK

One-two-three-four-one-two-three-four

The walk is a marching FOUR time rhythm.  This means that each foot is placed individually onto the ground, without a moment of suspension (there is always one or more leg on the ground).

In the walk the placing of a foreleg is followed by its diagonal hind.  Right fore (one) goes forward followed by the left hind (two), left fore (three) followed by the right hind (four).

It is most likely true that the walk is often the hardest gait to improve yet the easiest to spoil.

 

THE TROT

One-two-one-two-one-two

The trot is a TWO time rhythm.  As the horse trots, he springs from one diagonal pair of legs to the other, thus creating a moment of suspension between each step where no feet are on the ground. 

The trot can be ridden in either rising (posting) or sitting.  To rise to the trot, the rider must allow the horse to lift the rider out of the saddle (as one pair of feet come to the ground, beat one) and return gently back onto the horses back (as the opposite diagonal come to the ground, beat two).  When sitting the trot your pelvis absorbs the movement and rhythm.

 

THE CANTER

One-two-three-one-two-three

The canter is a steady THREE time rhythm.  This gait also, like the trot, has a clear moment of suspension.  This is also an asymmetrical gait where one lateral pairs of legs (leading leg) reaches further forward than the other.

The horse steps under with his outside hind leg (one), this moves him (and you) up and forward, then the inside hind and outside foreleg come through this is also known as the diagonal pair (two), and finally the leading leg, the inside fore (three). This then sends the horse into a moment of suspension to then resume the first beat.

 

THE GALLOP

One-two-three-four-one-two-three-four

Like the walk, the gallop is a FOUR time rhythm, without a moment of suspension.

The foot falls of this gait are in the following order: outside hind (one), inside hind (two), outside foreleg (three) to inside foreleg (four).  To enable the horse to gallop effectively and cover ground he should be allowed to move freely and use his entire body.  The head and neck may swing up and down through an angle of 30 degrees.  Any restriction of this movement may decrease his performance by as much as 10 percent.

The rider must sit in a way that allows the horse to be free in his back, with their upper body in a slightly forward position.  Galloping work should be introduced slowly, and only when the basics of the other three gaits have been established.  Building up to a gallop and, consequently, slowing down should be down gradually, as any abrupt transitions may cause injury.

Rebecca Moore is a Pony Club DC & BHSAI