After your first horse riding lesson, you’ve likely mastered the basics of starting, stopping, and steering at a walk. Congratulations! The next exciting step in your equestrian journey is understanding and learning to ride the different ways a horse moves. In the horse world, these movements are called “gaits.”
This guide will introduce you to the four basic horse movements, or gaits, that you’ll hear about and learn as you continue your lessons at GallopGo Stables & Riding School.
What are Gaits?
Simply put, gaits are the different speeds and patterns of a horse’s footsteps. Each gait has a specific rhythm, or “beat,” which refers to how many times their hooves strike the ground. As a rider, you will learn to feel this rhythm and move your body in harmony with the horse. Let’s break down the main gaits you’ll encounter.
1. The Walk: A Steady Four-Beat Gait
The walk is the first gait every rider learns. It’s a natural, four-beat movement, meaning you can count a steady “one-two-three-four” as each hoof lands on the ground independently.
- What it feels like: The walk is the most stable and comfortable gait. You’ll feel a gentle, side-to-side rocking motion in the saddle as the horse’s back moves. Your primary job is to sit relaxed, stay balanced, and use the steering aids you learned in your [first horse riding lesson in Nairobi].
- Why it’s important: It’s the foundation for everything else. You’ll use the walk to warm up your horse, cool them down, and give them a rest between practicing more strenuous movements.
2. The Trot: A Bouncy Two-Beat Gait
Once you are confident at the walk, your instructor will introduce the trot. This is a two-beat gait where the horse’s legs move in diagonal pairs. For example, the right front leg and the left hind leg hit the ground at the same time, followed by the left front and right hind.
- What it feels like: The trot is naturally bouncy! This is often the biggest challenge for new riders. To ride the trot comfortably, you will learn a technique called “posting.” This involves rising gently out of the saddle for one beat and sitting back down for the next, all in rhythm with the horse’s movement. It takes practice, but it’s a major milestone in learning to ride.
- Why it’s important: The trot is a fantastic working gait. It’s efficient for the horse to cover ground and a great way for the rider to build balance, strength, and coordination.
3. The Canter: A Smooth Three-Beat Gait
After mastering the trot, you’ll be ready for the canter. The canter is a three-beat gait that feels like a lovely, rolling “rocking horse” motion. The footfall pattern is a bit more complex: one hind leg strikes the ground, followed by the opposite hind leg and its diagonal front leg together, and finally, the last front leg, which is known as the “leading leg.”
- What it feels like: While faster than a trot, a good canter is actually much smoother and more comfortable to sit to. The “rocking” motion is easy to follow with your hips once you relax and find the rhythm.
- Why it’s important: The canter is an exhilarating and fun gait! It’s the first true taste of speed and flow that many riders fall in love with.
4. The Gallop: The Fastest Four-Beat Gait
The gallop is the horse’s natural “run” and their fastest gait. It’s a four-beat movement, similar to the walk but much, much faster, with a moment of suspension where all four hooves are off the ground.
- Why it’s important: You’ll see the gallop in horse racing and in open-field riding. However, as a beginner, this is an advanced movement that you won’t be practicing for quite some time. Safety and control in the walk, trot, and canter are the top priorities.
- What it feels like: This is a high-speed, powerful movement that requires significant rider balance and control.
Conclusion: Your Journey Through the Gaits
Understanding the walk, trot, canter, and gallop is a key part of your riding education. Each new gait you learn unlocks a new level of communication and partnership with your horse. Remember, progression takes time, and our instructors at GallopGo Stables & Riding School are here to guide you safely at every step. Before you know it, you’ll be posting the trot and feeling the smooth rhythm of the canter!