368:
217:
278:, when a horse is galloping, the leading leg may tire, resulting in the horse slowing down. If the lead is changed, the horse will usually "find another gear" or be able to maintain its pace. Because horses race counter-clockwise in North America, a racehorse is usually trained to lead with the left leg while rounding the turn for balance, but switch to the right lead on the straightaways between the turns to rest the left
266:
256:
disciplines in which gait is judged, the rotatory canter (called disunited canter or cross-canter in most rule books) is considered a fault and penalized. However, in horse racing, the rotatory gallop (there often called round gallop) not only is common at the start of races but also is about 5 miles
224:
Most riders begin asking for the counter-canter by riding through a corner on the inside lead, then performing a very shallow loop on the long side of the arena, returning to the track in counter-canter. As the horse becomes better at the exercise, the rider may then make the loop deeper, and finally
184:
In equestrian competition, a show ring "hand gallop," or "gallop in hand" is a true lengthening of stride. However, the horse remains in control and excess speed is penalized. Usually the constraints of a show arena and the presence of other animals prevent the gait from extending into the four-beat
175:
competition, travel on the inside "lead" is almost always considered correct, and horses on the outside lead or those performing a disunited (rotatory) canter are penalized. The only exceptions are when a counter-canter is specifically requested, or in some timed events where leads are not evaluated.
145:
Some authorities define the leading leg in the singular form as the last to leave the ground before the one or two periods of suspension within each stride. In these cases, because the canter has only one moment of suspension, the leading leg is considered to be the foreleg. Because in some animals
197:
is a movement in which the animal travels a curved path on the outside transverse lead. For example, while on a circle to the left, the horse is on the right lead. When performing a counter-canter, the horse is slightly bent in the direction of the leading legs, but opposite to the line of travel.
358:
from the rider. Simple changes going through the walk are used as stepping stones for the flying change, asking the horse for more self-carriage that is needed for the flying change. The canter-halt-canter transition is becoming more and more popular, especially at the higher levels of competition,
306:
actions and in the rider's cues. The horse will not speed up or slow down or display resentment (i.e. by switching its tail excessively) or hesitation. Controlled speed is desired in reining competition, and the faster a horse moves while properly executing the flying change, the higher the score.
305:
flying lead changes are an integral part of nearly all patterns except for those at the most novice levels. They performed as part of a pattern, usually in a figure eight, and illustrate a high degree of training and responsiveness. A good flying lead change appears effortless both in the horse's
407:
at the upper levels. Tempi changes are very difficult movements, as the horse is required to perform multiple flying changes in a row. In a test, tempi changes may requested every stride (one-tempis), every two strides (two tempis), three strides (threes), or four strides (fours). The number of
244:
In the rotatory gait, often called "cross-firing," "cross-cantering," or a "disunited canter," the horse balances in beat two on both legs on one side of its body, and in beats one and three on the other side. This produces a distinctive rotary or twisting motion in the rider's seat. For the
35:
88:, changing from one lead to the other. There are two basic forms of lead change: simple and flying. It is very easy to define the correct lead from the incorrect lead. When a horse is executing the correct lead, the inside front and hind legs reach farther forward than the outside legs.
408:
strides per change asked in tests begins at four, to give the horse and rider more time to prepare, and as the horse and rider become more proficient the number decreases to one-tempis. When a horse performs one-tempi changes, it often looks as if it is skipping. They may be performed
321:
competition, the flying change is essential, as a horse on the incorrect lead may become unbalanced on the turn, and then have an unbalanced take-off and may hit a rail. It is also possible that the horse will fall should he be asked to make a tight turn. For
236:, the counter canter is often used in anticipation of a sudden change of direction. For example, the horse travels a large arc to the right while staying on the left lead, then suddenly turns sharply to the left with a burst of speed and on the correct lead.
293:
increases with each level, from simple changes, to single flying changes, to multiple flying changes within fewer and fewer strides (known in this context as tempi changes). They are judged on their smoothness, promptness, and the submission of the horse.
158:
of the canter, that is to say, the lead which corresponds to the direction of travel. If a horse is on the wrong lead, it may be unbalanced and will have a much harder time making turns. However, there is an exception to this general rule, the
269:
To perform a flying change, the rider will switch her aids in the next step (as she is currently asking the horse to canter on the right lead), moving her left leg towards the girth to ask the horse to change his leg while in the suspension
146:
the gallop has two moments of suspension, some authorities recognize a lead in each pair of legs, fore and hind. So when an animal is in a rotatory gait, it is called disunited, due to different leading legs in the front and hind.
334:
jumping phases, the flying change is not judged, but correct leads are recommended should the rider wish to stay balanced enough to jump each fence with the horse's maximum power and agility.
163:, or counter-lead, a movement used in upper-level dressage, where a horse may be deliberately asked for what would normally be the "wrong" lead in order to show obedience and balance.
890:
explicitly penalizes cross-cantering in several events (including
Working Hunter, Western Riding, and Equitation) plus 62 other references to being correct and straight on both leads)
65:. The feet on the leading side touch the ground forward of its partner. On the "left lead", the animal's left legs lead. The choice of lead is of special interest in
122:
canter and gallop, the hind leg on the opposite side (the diagonal hindleg) advances more. In horses, it is more often than not an undesirable gait form, also known as
171:
The standard canter is movement where the horse travels in a transverse canter bent slightly in the direction of the leading inside front and rear legs. In standard
354:
simple change asks for the horse to perform a canter-walk (or halt)-canter transition. This requires more balance from the horse, and more finesse in timing the
346:
is a way to change leads on a horse that has not yet learned how to perform a flying change. In most cases, riders change leads by performing a few steps of the
359:
where judges are now beginning to specify a simple change through the halt, as it requires a greater degree of control by the rider and balance by the horse.
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664:"Gaits in General for Dressage: Math & Variations on a Theme of Walk, Trot, Canter (or, Why the Old Classical Masters Were Right)"
908:
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921:
952:
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The counter-canter is primarily used as a training movement, improving balance, straightness, and attention to the
28:
103:
canter and gallop, the hind leg on the same side as the leading foreleg (the lateral hindleg) advances more. In
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These tables outline the sequence of footfalls (beats) in the canter and gallop, the animal on the right lead.
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17:
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957:
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880:
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majority of horses and riders this rotary motion is awkward, unbalanced and could be dangerous.
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refers to which set of legs, left or right, leads or advances forward to a greater extent when a
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A horse in the midst of a flying change of lead, note position of diagonal front and hind legs.
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illustrated both rotatory and transverse canters but did not stress the difference of lead.
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While a single change is often performed to change direction, dressage competition adds
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penalizes cross-cantering, not changing leads simultaneously and requires correct leads
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409:
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142:. In animals such as dogs, deer, and elk, however, this form of the gait is the norm.
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describes correct canter footfall pattern, requiring front and read footfalls to lead
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events, where a horse will change lead as it changes direction on the course.
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85:
54:
24:
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General rules for
Judging, penalizes failure to change front and back leads
387:, where the horse may do several changes in sequence (tempi changes), in
384:
331:
314:
286:
282:
210:
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Andalusian/Lusitano division requires correct and straight on both leads
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is a lead change performed by a horse in which the lead changes at the
298:
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requires true and straight on both leads, singles out cross-cantering
380:
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350:, before coming back to the opposite lead of the canter. However, a
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264:
215:
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requires true three beat canter, true and straight on both leads
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Understanding
Balance: The Mechanics of Posture and Locomotion
326:, a horse is penalized for a poor or missed flying change. In
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requires correct leads, explicitly penalizes cross-cantering
274:
Lead changes are important in many riding disciplines. In
383:
while in the air between two strides. It is often seen in
220:
A shallow loop, often used for teaching the counter-canter
721:
requires horses to be straight and correct on both leads
23:"cross-fire" redirects here. For weapons fire term, see
792:
penalizes out of lead 1 point for every 1/4 of a circle
46:
Rotatory, right fore and left hind leading, slow motion
642:
Eadweard
Muybridge, edited by Lewis S. Brown (1955)
697:rules requires ponies to be straight on both leads
638:
636:
634:
209:. It is also a movement asked for in upper level
903:, The Russell Meerdink Company Ltd., 261 pages,
828:requires canter true and straight on both leads
154:A horse is better balanced when on the correct
612:
610:
608:
38:Transverse, right fore and right hind leading
8:
881:American Quarter Horse Association Rule Book
257:per hour faster than the transverse gallop.
757:requires correct and straight on both leads
420:Comparison of transverse and rotatory gaits
646:, Courier Dover Publications, 74 pages,
493:
431:
205:. It is used as a stepping-stone to the
871:describes and defines disunited canter.
604:
281:Changes of lead are asked for in some
7:
616:Tristan David Martin Roberts (1995)
285:tests, and in the dressage phase of
850:National Reining Horse Association
683:Ziegler, Lee. "What is a Canter?"
14:
922:"To see one-tempis on video, see"
869:United States Dressage Federation
963:Riding techniques and movements
685:Web site accessed April 5, 2008
673:Web page accessed April 5, 2008
76:refers to an animal, usually a
391:as part of the pattern, or in
1:
709:penalizes missed lead changes
530:Suspension (in some animals)
814:National Show horse division
185:form of the racing gallop.
994:
240:Rotatory canter and gallop
29:crossfire (disambiguation)
22:
15:
899:Rooney, James DVM (1998)
460:Left fore and right hind
695:USEF Welch pony division
463:Left fore and left hind
953:Terrestrial locomotion
733:requires correct leads
593:Terrestrial locomotion
372:
309:In jumping, including
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39:
27:. For other uses, see
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268:
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150:Usage in horse sports
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18:Lead (disambiguation)
968:Dressage terminology
707:USEF Hunter division
291:Degree of difficulty
59:cantering, galloping
16:For other uses, see
767:Saddlebred division
731:Equitation division
410:across the diagonal
229:in counter-canter.
886:2008-05-13 at the
855:2006-11-14 at the
802:Paso Fino Division
620:, Nelson Thornes,
373:
272:
247:Eadweard Muybridge
222:
207:flying lead change
130:galloping, and as
107:this is the norm.
48:
40:
743:Dressage division
719:Friesian division
644:Animals in motion
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303:working cow horse
167:Transverse canter
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958:Horse gaits
561:Suspension
556:Right fore
553:Right fore
550:Footfall 4
539:Footfall 3
522:Right hind
519:Footfall 2
514:Right hind
508:Footfall 1
500:Transverse
479:Suspension
474:Right fore
471:Right fore
468:Footfall 3
457:Footfall 2
452:Right hind
446:Footfall 1
438:Transverse
414:on a circle
261:Lead change
180:Hand gallop
74:lead change
947:Categories
932:2011-01-18
599:References
588:Horse gait
583:Gait (dog)
545:Left fore
542:Left fore
525:Left hind
511:Left hind
449:Left hind
254:equestrian
225:perform a
173:horse show
93:transverse
57:animal is
978:Hunt seat
503:Rotatory
441:Rotatory
120:disunited
55:quadruped
25:crossfire
973:Eventing
884:Archived
853:Archived
667:Archived
572:See also
385:dressage
332:eventing
330:and the
315:eventing
287:eventing
283:dressage
211:dressage
116:diagonal
112:rotatory
497:Stride
435:Stride
393:jumping
389:reining
299:reining
213:tests.
97:lateral
63:leaping
907:
650:
624:
490:Gallop
428:Canter
381:canter
319:hunter
317:, and
270:phase.
138:, and
124:rotary
105:horses
101:united
86:gallop
82:canter
128:round
110:In a
91:In a
78:horse
61:, or
905:ISBN
648:ISBN
622:ISBN
578:Gait
375:The
356:aids
352:true
348:trot
342:The
301:and
234:polo
203:aids
193:The
156:lead
126:and
51:Lead
412:or
297:In
252:In
232:In
118:or
114:or
99:or
95:or
84:or
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633:^
607:^
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313:,
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134:,
72:A
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
