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Other Gaits
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Runningwalk A good running walk is the same as a flat walk, but with more speed. The hooves on a side lift and set down separately in an even 1-2-3-4 beat. Head nod continues into this fastest of the walking gaits. The croup remains steady and the hind legs take long, reaching steps, unlike the higher, quicker motion in the fox trot. There is no obvious "breaking" in the hocks in the running walk, and the front legs take a less reachy step than in the fox trot. Over step increases so that the horse is often stepping over his front track by a couple of feet. (1 foot is 30,48 cm) This gait also moves the rider a bit from front to back in the saddle, combining it with a rolling motion in the shoulders. However, there is no noticeable up and down motion in the hindquarters, just a driving sensation as the hind legs push the horse forward. The sensation is the horse equivalent of riding on a river boat with a paddle wheel turning just out of phase on each side. Often, what is called a running walk is a long stepping "saddle" rack. It is still an even four-beat gait, but the legs on one side seem to move forward together, and the hooves lift at the same time, setting down separately. |
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