When first learning to ride a horse, gaits are one of the primary lessons. The three fastest gaits are the canter, lope and gallop, but how does one tell them apart?
The canter, lope and gallop are three similar equestrian gaits used in many equine sports and for basic pleasure riding. Many people believe that there are no differences between canter, lope and gallop, but they are actually three separate gaits.
The Canter
The canter is one of the fastest equestrian gaits, though it is possible for a horse to canter in place. Speed is determined by the rider's manipulation of his or her aids as well as the fitness level of the horse.
Essentially, the canter is a three-beat gait, which means that the horse's stride is measured in three footfalls. On the left lead, for example, the horse's back right leg hits the ground first, followed by the front right and the back left hitting the ground simultaneously. Finally, the front left leg hits the ground.
When traveling to the left on a horse at the canter, the horse is on the left lead, allowing him to bend more easily around the corners and maintain a better balance and center of gravity. When traveling to the right, the front right leg hits the ground last, resulting in the right lead.
The Lope
In terms of footfalls, there is no difference between the canter and the lope. Both are three-beat gaits determined by the leading leg, and they look very similar. The main difference between these equestrian gaits is that the lope is the terminology used for western disciplines, such as reining and western pleasure, while the canter is reserved for English disciplines.
There are other differences, however, and it is important riders know how to distinguish between a lope and a canter. For example, the lope is generally slower and more deliberate than the canter, with heavier footfalls and an emphasis on the front end.
Additionally, the canter is more extended than the lope, encouraging the horse's legs to stretch out and maintaining impulsion front the hind end. In some circles, there are more differences between lope and canter than in others, but they are defined separately.
The Gallop
Much different from the canter and lope, a gallop is a four-beat gait that looks similar to the previous two equestrian gaits. There is no "leading leg" at the gallop because all four legs hit the ground independently; however, horses will sometimes stretch one foreleg out farther than the other, similar to a human's right- or left-handedness.
Contrary to popular opinion, some horses are incapable of reaching a gallop gait because they cannot force all legs to hit the ground separately. Dressage horses, in particular, will simply extend the canter rather than transitioning into a full-fledged gallop.
In equestrian sports, the only time a horse is required to gallop is during racing. Other sports simply require different speeds of the canter or lope.
The Hand Gallop
There is one less-recognized equestrian gait that is often referred to in English equestrian sports called the hand gallop. Despite its name, the hand gallop is a three-beat gait, and is actually just an extension of the canter. Cross-country horses often hand gallop in the field to make up time between fences.
It is important for all riders to understand equestrian gaits. The canter, lope and gallop are integral to riding instruction, and riders should be able to recognize them both by sight and feel.
Laura Thompson - Laura Thompson is a horseback riding instructor and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. She is proud to be the feature writer for ...
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