TROT-GAITED GAIT DESCRIPTIONS
JACKSON-ORTLIEB-JACKSON
Keeping in mind that basically all gaits between the Trotting Horse and Gaited are the same, where you find
the differences are in the middle gaits*
THE WALK
Walk-The walk is a free marching 4-beat gait in which the footfalls of the horse's feet follow one another in "four time",
well marked and maintained in all work at the walk.
Free Walk- A relaxed walk with horse being allowed complete freedom to lower and stretch head and neck, must show
good ground cover and length of strides with hind feet clearly stepping in front of front-feet to define quality.
Medium Walk- A clear, regular, unconstrained walk of moderate length, while remaining on bit, the horse walks
energetically but calmly with even, active steps, with hind feet hitting the ground in front of the front feet. The rider keeps
soft, steady contact with the horse's mouth..
Collected Walk- Remaining on bit, the horse moves forward with purpose, neck raised and arched, showing clear self
carriage. Light contact is maintained with head almost vertical. The hind legs are engaged with active hocks, must be
marching and regular. Steps are shorter and higher because of more flexion in hocks. Must not be rushed or irregular
but must have greater activity.
Extended Walk- Covers as much ground as possible without being rushed or irregular, hind feet clearly hitting the
ground in front of fore feet. The horse is allowed to stretch head and neck without losing contact.
VARIATIONS OF THE WALK*
Flat Walk*- This is a four beat broken lateral gait between the collected flat walk and the Medium Flat walk in which a
horse not yet trained and ready for collected movements shows himself properly balanced. This gait is a very timed gait
with pronounced vertical head shake that involves the whole head and neck, the head goes down when the rear leg
lands and the head comes up when the lateral front leg lands on the same side of the horse. The rear foot should track
straight over the front track of the same side foot. This is called Over Stride. Both the flat Walk and Running Walk is a
very smooth, gliding, comfortable gait for the rider.
Running Walk*- This is a four beat broken lateral gait the horse covers as much ground as possible. As with the Flat
Walk, the headshake/nod is also a very timed gait with even a greater pronounced headshake/nod that goes down
when the rear leg lands and the head comes up when the lateral front leg lands on the same side of the horse. The
horse must continue to shake its head while executing the Running Walk and the shake must originate in the shoulder
and continue up the neck column a horse that merely pecks its head must be penalized as with the horse whose head
remains stationary. The Over Stride is more pronounced and noticeable in The Running Walk.
Medium Running Walk*- Between Running Walk and Extended Running Walk but showing more "roundness" than the
latter. The horse is forward with clear and moderately lengthened strides and obvious impulsion from hindquarters. The
horse remains on the bit with head slightly in front of the vertical, while slightly lowering the head and neck. Steps must
be even and free
Collected Flat Walk*- A very engaged Flat Walk where most of the horse's weight is carried toward the hindquarters.
The frame is compressed; the stride length is shorter than any of the other walk, with the horse taking higher steps. The
horse is lighter in the front and more mobile in the Collected Flat Walk.
Extended Running Walk*- Covers as much ground as possible. Maintains same cadence while lengthening to utmost
as a result of maximum impulsion from hindquarters. While remaining on the bit without leaning or bracing, lengthens
frame to cover more ground. The horses must be balanced with smooth transitions from and to Collected Flat Walk by
taking more weight on hindquarters.
THE CANTER
Canter- Three beat, light, cadenced, regular, and straight
Working Canter- For the horse that is not yet trained or ready for collected movements. Properly balanced and
remains on bit, forward with even, light, cadenced strides and active hocks; does not require collection.
Collected Canter- The horse remains on bit with neck raised and arched, has lighter forehand and more engagement
of hindquarters, freer shoulders, and greater thrust from hocks. Strides are shorter, but are more active, rounder, and
mobile.
Lengthen Canter- Clearly more forward with increased thrust from hocks, longer frame with slightly lower neck, nose
slightly in front of vertical, maintaining cadence, regularity, balance, develops from Working Canter.
Medium Canter- Between Working Canter and Extended Canter. Forward with free, balanced, unconstrained,
moderately extended, rounder strides and obviously impulsion from hindquarters; remains on bit with head slightly in
front of vertical and slightly lower.
Extended Canter- Covers as much ground as possible. Maintains same rhythm, lengthens to utmost, and does not
lose calmness/lightness while showing great impulsion from hindquarters which must show great thrust from hocks; must
remain on bit without leaning. Lowers/ extends head/neck, nose pointing more or less forward.
Counter-Canter- Balancing movement (example; While on circle left, deliberately makes horse canter on right lead);
maintains natural flexion at poll to outside of circle. Stays positioned to side of leading leg.
