Which statement correctly contrasts canter with trot in terms of beats and suspension?

Which statement correctly contrasts canter with trot in terms of beats and suspension?

• A. Canter is a 4-beat gait; trot is a 3-beat gait
• B. Canter has no suspension; trot has suspension
• C. Canter is a 2-beat gait; trot is a 3-beat gait
• D. Canter is a 3-beat gait with suspension; trot is a 2-beat gait with suspension

Answer: (D)

Understanding gait terminology: the number of beats describes how many separate footfall events occur in one cycle, and suspension is the moment when all four feet are off the ground. The trot is a two-beat gait because the horse moves in diagonal pairs: one diagonal pair lands together (one beat), then the other diagonal pair lands (second beat). Between these two landings there is a suspension phase. The canter is a three-beat gait with a leading leg, where the sequence is outside hind first, then the diagonal pair (inside hind with outside front) as the second beat, and the inside front as the third beat; after the third beat there is a suspension before the next cycle begins. Therefore, the best statement is that canter is a three-beat gait with suspension, while trot is a two-beat gait with suspension. The other descriptions misstate either the number of beats or the presence of suspension in one or both gaits.

Understanding gait terminology: the number of beats describes how many separate footfall events occur in one cycle, and suspension is the moment when all four feet are off the ground. The trot is a two-beat gait because the horse moves in diagonal pairs: one diagonal pair lands together (one beat), then the other diagonal pair lands (second beat). Between these two landings there is a suspension phase. The canter is a three-beat gait with a leading leg, where the sequence is outside hind first, then the diagonal pair (inside hind with outside front) as the second beat, and the inside front as the third beat; after the third beat there is a suspension before the next cycle begins. Therefore, the best statement is that canter is a three-beat gait with suspension, while trot is a two-beat gait with suspension. The other descriptions misstate either the number of beats or the presence of suspension in one or both gaits.