1. Horsemanship Training: Basic Gaits of the Horse

2. Walk
Walk: The walk is a natural 4-beat movement. The horse always has two or three hooves on the ground. The walk is the slowest natural gait, it is the steadiest and most comfortable. The horse lifts his hooves as follows:
          
(1st beat) right hind leg (2nd beat) right fore leg (3rd beat) left hind leg (4th beat) left fore leg

3. Trot (Jog)
Trot: The trot is a steady 2-beat movement. Since the trot has two beats each stride and a moment in mid-air, it is more comfortable for the rider (and the horse) to rise up and down every-other beat (this is called "posting"). The horse lifts his hooves as follows:
          
(1st beat) right fore / left hind (2nd beat) left fore / right hind

4. Canter (Lope)
Canter: The canter is a 3-beat movement. Before learning to canter, make sure your balance and rhythm stays consistent with the horse during the trot. The horse lifts his hooves as follows:
          
The Right-Lead Canter: (1st beat) left hind leg (2nd beat) right hind / left fore (3rd beat) right fore leg

5. Gallop
Gallop: The gallop is a 4-beat movement. This gait is similar to the canter, but the horse's legs move one at a time. The gallop feels just like a fast canter. When riding the gallop, raise your seat slightly out of the saddle, putting your weight in your heels. Before attempting to gallop, you must be able to control the horse 100% and be able to ride all other gaits in balance. The horse lifts his hooves as follows:
          
The Right-Lead Gallop: (1st beat) left hind leg (2nd beat) right hind leg (3rd beat) left fore leg (4th beat) right fore leg

6. Words to Remember
Lead: The term "lead" is used to tell which fore leg of the horse is farther forward (leading). This term is used only in the canter and gallop. A horse is on his "left lead" when his left fore leg is leading and on his "right lead" when his right fore leg is leading.
Posting: The term "posting" is used to describe the up-and-down pattern of the trot. When you post, you raise out of the saddle for one beat, and sit down in the saddle for one beat. This pattern usually creates a more comfortable trot for both the horse and rider. Diagonal: The term "diagonal" refers to which fore leg is moving forward while you are in the up position of the posting trot. You should always be in the up position of the posting trot when the horse's outside fore leg (closest to the arena wall) is farther forward.

7. Let’s review!

8. What are the four basic gaits?
ANSWER:
1. Walk
2. Trot
3. Canter
4. Gallop

9. What gait is this? Say the name used both English and Western riding?
ANSWER:
Canter in English; Lope in Western

10. How many beats does the walk have?
ANSWER:
4 beats

11. ANSWER: The up-and-down pattern of the trot.
What does posting mean?
ANSWER: The up-and-down pattern of the trot.