equine locomotion

Equine locomotion refers to how horses move their bodies to walk, trot, canter, and gallop. It involves coordinated movements of their limbs, joints, muscles, and bones to generate forward motion while maintaining balance and stability. Different gaits have specific patterns: walking has a slow, deliberate stride; trotting involves two diagonal legs moving together; cantering is a faster, three-beat gait; and galloping is a full-speed, four-beat run. The horse's nervous system and musculoskeletal system work together seamlessly to adjust movement based on speed, terrain, and purpose, enabling efficient and smooth progression across various environments.