Running walk
The running walk is a lateral four-beat gait in the same order as the walk, but faster and very smooth, with a characteristic head nod.
What does this gait look like?
At the running walk the horse uses the same footfall as the ordinary walk but with more speed and overstep: the hind hoof steps well past the print of the fore hoof. The head nods rhythmically and the rider sits remarkably still.
- Number of beats
- 4
- Footfall order
- left hind, left fore, right hind, right fore (faster than the walk)
- Suspension
- No
- Type
- Lateral (same-side)
More about this gait
The running walk is a symmetrical, lateral four-beat gait without suspension, with the same order as the walk but considerably faster. Its hallmarks are the deep overstep and the rhythmic head nod. The gait is the signature of the Tennessee Walking Horse.
Which breeds show this gait?
Discover more
Sources: Nicodemus, M.C. & Clayton, H.M. (2003), Applied Animal Behaviour Science 80(2):133-142 · Wikipedia.