smooth gait

Question
hello, what does "smooth gait" mean in equine terms? do thoroughbreds have smooth gait? how can i say that my horse has smooth gait?

Answer
In the States, "smooth gaited" generally means a horse that has added (more) gaits than the normal walk, trot, and canter.
Either natural or artificially induced, they often have a type of pace, rack, or running walk which many riders find easier to sit to.

Of course, horses have trots and canters that are easier or more difficult for a rider to be able to sit to correctly. If a horse travels inverted, with his back dropped, head up and hindquarters not engaged, it can result in a very rough ride. A horse also should have had the correct training and time taken to develop the correct muscling. This is why the recently popular one or two day Horse Breaking contests held in the States is so wrong.


Some big moving horses, who have wonderful gaits, can also not be considered smooth, but can be quite correct in their movement.