BY EITAN BETH-HALACHMY AND JENNI GRIMMETT, DVM
IlluStRatIoNS bY eItaN beth-halaChmY PhotoGRaPhS bY leSleY DeutSCh
The walk, trot, and canter (or gallop) are the natural gaits of the horse. The jog and lope are cultivated gaits that were born on the ranches of the West. Instead of a fast ground-covering long trot, the shorter jog is better for slipping from pen to pen without spooking the cattle. The rockingchair lope that is comfortable to sit all day is the shortened form of the rougher and faster canter. When done correctly, working with the gaits and three “frames,” which we’ll tell you about, can help build balance and harmony in the horse.