The
Walk
The
walk is a natural relaxed four beat stride. The footfalls are left hind,
left fore, right hind, right fore - four distinct and regular beats.
Even at the walk the Standardbred will generally show a naturally long,
ground covering stride.
The
Trot
 The
trot is the more natural of the racing gaits. It is a rapid, two beat
diagonal gait. The forefoot on one side and the opposite hind foot take
off and strike the ground at the same time. The horse works from one
pair of diagonals to the other pair for maximum efficiency of stride and
thus maximum speed. It is essential that the trotter be balanced evenly
on both diagonals. The weight of the horse is distributed first by one
diagonal and then the opposite diagonal, then all four feet are off the
ground at the same time for an instant. The longer the stride of a
trotter, the longer the time all four feet are off the ground. The trot
should be square, balanced and springy with length and quickness to the
stride.
The
Pace
 The
pace, also a racing gait, is a fast, two beat gait. The front and hind
feet on the same side are moved forward and back together at the same
time. When the stride is fully extended, all four feet are off the
ground for an instant. The base of support of the horse's weight is
always the two lateral legs. As in the trotter, the efficiency of the
horse's gait is greatly enhanced by the horse being balanced on its
laterals. Proper balancing and an efficient stride will lead to maximum
speed.
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The
Canter
Although
the Standardbred is best known as a trotter or pacer, is still retains
the natural ability to canter. It is up to the trainer of a race horse
to ensure that only the selected racing gate (trot or pace) is used by
the horse when in work. This training leads many people to believe
incorrectly that the Standardbred does not canter. The canter is a three
beat gait known as the lope by Western-style riders. The horse moves in
bounds with either the right foreleg or left foreleg leading. If it
begins on the left hind the sequence is; left hind, left fore and right
hind touching the ground simultaneously, right fore, followed by an
interval when all four feet are off the ground. The sequence is a
‘Lead lead to the right'. On a circle to the right, the horse
‘leads' with the inside foreleg, i.e. the right fore. On a circle to
the left, when the sequence is reversed, it ‘leads' with the left
foreleg. A horse cantering a right handed circle on the left lead, or
vice versa, is said to be on the ‘wrong lead' or moving with a
‘false lead'. However, in the advanced balancing exercise of
counter-canter, the horse is required to canter on a false lead.
The
Gallop
A
gallop is a four beat gait - essentially an unrestrained canter. The
stride is longer and the moment of suspension is much longer. The
sequence of footfalls varies according to speed.
Gait
and efficiency
A
successful Standardbred must have speed, stamina and gait. A fully
developed gait is a key to success of the other characteristics. The
greater the efficiency of stride, the easier it is for a horse to
achieve its maximum speed and the less tiring it is on the legs at a
greater distance. This results in more stamina. If the horse's stride is
less efficient, it tires more quickly and is difficult to keep sound. A
trainer's first priority is to develop a young horse's gait immediately
after the horse is broken. Speed cannot be attained until balance is
achieved to maintain a steady gait. Due to the intensive gait training a
Standardbred undergoes as a racehorse, proper attention must be paid to
developing previously unused gaits when undertaking retraining for a
retirement career.
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