The Cycle of Movement: One Stride at a Time

“Movement begins in the horse’s brain: it starts with the desire to go forward. Movement in any gait is accomplished stride by stride.” Horse gaits, balance and movement- Susan E. Harris

 

Horses are designed to move! They are capable of an incredible range of movements, from a slow, ambling walk to a 30 mph gallop or a leg yield or piaffe. They are capable of so many diverse athletic feats both loose and under saddle, but let's break down the basics. 

A complete cycle of movement for the horse is defined as a stride. This means that all four legs complete their full motion and the whole horse is moved. There are five phases that each leg goes through:

• Swing: (starting from still) the leg extends backwards, flexes forwards and swings through the air

  

• Impact: (Grounding) this is when the foot contacts the ground, preparing to take on the weight of the horse 
• Loading: The leg takes on the weight of the horse, the fetlock joint is extended with stress on the flexor tendons and muscles, and the center of gravity of the horse moves directly over the hoof. 

• 
  Stance/ support: the flexor tendons and muscles pull the leg back up to a normal weight bearing position as the center of gravity moves forward, ahead of the hoof.

• Thrust: (break-over) The hoof begins to leave the ground and weight shifts to the toe. The deep digital flexor tendon is stretched as it helps to rotate the coffin bone, and the joints of the leg bend to help lift the hoof off of the ground. 

Although horses use every muscle in their body during movement (they are all connected), the power starts from the hindquarters. Horses are “rear-engine drive.” 

A hind leg is picked up, flexed and swings forward, then the hoof strikes the ground, creating impact. The horse's weight loads the leg, and the leg supports the horse's body, pushing against gravity as it moves forward.  As the horse’s center of gravity moves forward from the vertical, the leg thrusts the horse's body forward, and prepares for the next swing phase. The other hind leg, and then two forelegs are picked up in turn and cycle through their own movements to complete an entire stride. 

Harris, S. E. (2017). How a Horse Moves: The Cycle of Movement. In Horse Gaits, balance, and Movement. essay, Souvenir Press Ltd.