Canter

Canter is a term that refers to a specific gait of a horse, which is faster than a trot but slower than a gallop. It is a controlled, three-beat gait that is commonly used in equestrianism for various disciplines, including dressage, show jumping, and eventing.

Characteristics

The canter is characterized by a three-beat rhythm followed by a moment of suspension when all four of the horse's legs are off the ground. The sequence of footfalls in a canter is as follows: 1. Outside hind leg 2. Inside hind leg and outside foreleg together 3. Inside foreleg The canter can be performed at different speeds, ranging from a collected canter, which is slower and more controlled, to an extended canter, which is faster and covers more ground.

Types of Canter

There are several variations of the canter, each suited to different equestrian activities:

• Collected Canter: A slow, controlled canter with increased engagement of the hindquarters.
• Working Canter: A natural, forward-moving canter used in everyday riding.
• Extended Canter: A faster canter with longer strides, often used in dressage tests.
• Counter-Canter: A canter where the horse leads with the outside leg, used to improve balance and coordination.

Training and Use

Training a horse to canter correctly involves teaching the horse to respond to the rider's aids and maintain a balanced, rhythmic gait. Riders use various aids, including leg pressure, seat position, and rein contact, to cue the horse into the canter and maintain the desired speed and rhythm. The canter is an essential gait in many equestrian disciplines:

• In dressage, the canter is used in various movements and is judged on its quality, rhythm, and the horse's ability to perform collected and extended canters.
• In show jumping, the canter is the primary gait used to approach and navigate jumps.
• In eventing, the canter is used in both the dressage and cross-country phases.

Related Pages

• Equestrianism
• Dressage
• Show jumping
• Eventing
• Horse gait
• Trot
• Gallop