Trot

Trot is a two-beat diagonal gait of the horse where the diagonal pairs of legs move forward at the same time with a moment of suspension between each beat. It has a wide variation in possible speeds, but averages about 8 miles per hour (13 km/h). A very slow trot is sometimes referred to as a jog. An extremely fast trot has no special name, but in harness racing, the trot of a Standardbred is faster than the gallop of the average non-racehorse. In this context, the fastest trotting speed is known as racking.

Characteristics

The trot is a two-beat gait that has a wide range of speeds, from very slow to very fast. Depending on the horse and its speed, a trot can be difficult for a rider to sit because the body of the horse actually drops a bit between beats and bounces up again when the next set of legs strike the ground. Each foot hits the ground separately, except for the brief moment of suspension, and the average speed is approximately 8 miles per hour (13 km/h).

Types of Trot

There are several types of trot, each with its own set of characteristics and uses. These include the collected trot, working trot, medium trot, and extended trot. The collected trot is a very collected gait that is used in dressage. The working trot is a comfortable, efficient gait for the horse and is used for most riding. The medium trot is a more forward and engaged trot, used in dressage. The extended trot is a fast, ground-covering trot that is used in dressage and eventing.

In Harness Racing

In harness racing, trotting, as it is known in the United States, or trot monté in France, is a professional racing discipline where Standardbred horses are harnessed to a lightweight two-wheeled cart known as a sulky, gig, or bike. The horses race at a specific gait - a trot or pace. They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, or spider, occupied by a driver.

See Also

• Horse gait
• Ambling
• Pace (horse gait)
• Canter and gallop
• Dressage

Trot Resources
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