Written by Sue Morris

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The canter is  3-beat gait followed by a suspension phase when all four feet are off the ground. The canter can be "true"; leading with the left leg when going to the left or "counter"; leading with the  left leg (and staying flexed towards the left leg) when cantering to the right. It can also be said to be ""disunited" when the correct  sequence of leg movement is broken i.e. a horse changes legs in  front but does not change behind. For a left lead canter the sequence runs: Right Hind put down Right Diagonal raised Right Diagonal put down Left Front put down Right Hind raised Suspension phase "The correct activity of the back produces a swinging movement and becomes  evident to the rider by a swinging back and resilient chewing on the  bit. A swinging back must therefore be one of the trainer's main goals during the entire course of training." (Paul Plinzner in a footnote to Gustav Steinbrecht's "Gymnasium of the Horse" ) The Walk Regularity of the Walk The Trot Regularity of the  Trot The Canter Regularity of the  Canter Copyright  © Sue Morris 1998-2005