Lead (leg)
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In the context of a quadruped that is cantering, galloping, or leaping, lead refers to which leg (or which foreleg), left or right, leads or advances more. The foot on the leading leg touches the ground after and forward of its partner. On the "left lead", the animal's left leg leads. The choice of lead is of special interest in horse riding.
In a transverse or lateral or united canter and gallop, the hind leg on the same side as the leading foreleg (the lateral hindleg) advances more.[1] In horses this is the norm.
In a rotatory or diagonal or disunited canter and gallop, the hind leg on the opposite side (the diagonal hindleg) advances more.[1] It is also known as rotary and round galloping, and as moving disunited, cross-firing, and cross-cantering. In dogs, deer, and elk, among others, this gait is the norm.[1]
Some authorities define the leading leg as the last to leave the ground before the one or two periods of suspension within each stride.[2] Because the canter has only one moment of suspension, the leading leg necessarily is a foreleg. Because in some animals the gallop has two moments of suspension, some authorities recognize a lead in each pair of legs, fore and hind. Hence references to the rotatory gait as disunited.[2]
Contents |
[edit] History
Eadweard Muybridge illustrated both rotatory and transverse canters but did not stress the difference of lead.[2]
[edit] Comparison of transverse and rotatory gaits
These tables outline the sequence of footfalls (beats) in the canter and gallop, the animal on the right lead.
[edit] Canter
| Stride | Transverse | Rotatory |
|---|---|---|
| Footfall 1 | Left hind | Right hind |
| Footfall 2 | Left fore and right hind | Left fore and left hind |
| Footfall 3 | Right fore | Right fore |
| Suspension |
[edit] Gallop
| Stride | Transverse | Rotatory |
|---|---|---|
| Footfall 1 | Left hind | Right hind |
| Footfall 2 | Right hind | Left hind |
| Suspension (in some animals) | ||
| Footfall 3 | Left fore | Left fore |
| Footfall 4 | Right fore | Right fore |
| Suspension |
[edit] Usage in horse sports
[edit] Counter canter
The counter-canter is a movement in which the animal travels a curved path on the outside lead. For example, while on a circle to the left, the horse is on the right lead. When performing a counter-canter, the horse is slightly bent in the direction of the leading legs.
The counter-canter is primarily used as a training movement, improving balance, straightness, and attention to the aids. It is used as a stepping-stone to the flying lead change. It is also a movement asked for in upper level dressage tests.
Most riders begin asking for the counter-canter by riding through a corner on the inside lead, then performing a very shallow loop on the long side of the arena, returning back to the track in counter-canter. As the horse becomes better at the exercise, the rider may then make the loop deeper, and finally perform a 20-meter circle in counter-canter.
In polo, the counter canter is often used in anticipation of a sudden change of direction. For example, the horse travels a large arc to the right while staying on the left lead, then suddenly turns sharply to the left with a burst of speed and on the correct lead.
[edit] Rotatory canter and gallop
In the rotatory gait, the horse balances in beat two on both legs on one side of its body, and in beats one and three on the other side. This produces a distinctive rotary motion in the rider's seat. For the majority of horses and riders this rotary motion is awkward, unbalanced and could be dangerous.[3][4]
In equestrian disciplines in which gait is judged, the rotatory canter (there often called disunited canter) is considered a fault and penalized.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] [20] However, in horse racing, the rotatory gallop (there often called round gallop) not only is common at the start of races but also is about 5 miles per hour faster than the transverse gallop.[21]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Gaits: Gait foot-fall patterns (free courseware)
- Animal gaits: Footfall sequence. Gallop in the dog (Double suspension, rotatory)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Tristan David Martin Roberts (1995) Understanding Balance: The Mechanics of Posture and Locomotion, Nelson Thornes, ISBN 0412601605.
- ^ a b c Eadweard Muybridge, edited by Lewis S. Brown (1955) Animals in motion, Courier Dover Publications, 74 pages, ISBN 0486202038.
- ^ [http://nicholnl.wcp.muohio.edu/DingosBreakfastClub/BioMech/BioMechGaits.html "Gaits in General for Dressage: Math & Variations on a Theme of Walk, Trot, Canter (or, Why the Old Classical Masters Were Right)"] Web page accessed April 5, 2008
- ^ Ziegler, Lee. "What is a Canter?" Web site accessed April 5, 2008
- ^ USEF Welch pony division rules requires ponies to be straight on both leads
- ^ USEF Hunter division penalizes missed lead changes
- ^ Friesian division requires horses to be straight and corrct on both leads
- ^ Equitation division requires correct leads
- ^ Dressage division describes correct canter footfall pattern, requiring front and read footfalls to lead
- ^ Arabian division requires correct and straight on both leads
- ^ Saddlebred division requires correct leads, explicitly penalizes cross-cantering
- ^ [http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/04-AL.pdf Andalusian/Lusitano division requires correct and straight on both leads
- ^ Reining division penalizes out of lead 1 point for every 1/4 of a circle
- ^ Paso Fino Division requires true three beat canter, true and straight on both leads
- ^ National Show horse division requires true and straight on both leads, singles out cross-cantering
- ^ Morgan division requires canter true and straight on both leads
- ^ Western division penalizes cross-cantering, not changing leads simultaneously and requires correct leads
- ^ Natinal Reining Horse Association General rules for Judging, penalizes failure to change front and back leads
- ^ United States Dressage Federation describes and defines disunited canter.
- ^ American Quarter Horse Association Rule Book explicitly penalizes cross-cantering in several events (including Working Hunter, Western Riding, and Equitation) plus 62 other references to being correct and straight on both leads)
- ^ Rooney, James DVM (1998) The lame horse, The Russell Meerdink Company Ltd., 261 pages, ISBN 0929346556.
