Way of Going

Ideal

A horse’s gait is judged on length, height, spring of step, promptness, power, balance, directness, and regularity.

Common flaws in way of going

Cross-firing: This happens when the hind foot on one side strikes the opposite front foot.
Over reaching is hitting the heel of the front foot with the toe of the hind foot.

Forging is hitting the toe of the front foot with the toe of the hind.

Paddling: The term for the throwing of the front feet outward in flight, common in horses that are toe-in or pigeon-toed. Also known as “winging out” in high-stepping harness horses and saddle horses.

Pointing: Noticeable extension of the stride with little flexion.
Pounding: Heaving contact with the ground that causes excessive concussion. Often described as “heavy-going”.
Rolling: Extreme lateral shoulder motion.
Scalping: The hairline at top of the hind foot hits the toe of the forefoot as it breaks over.

Stringhalt: Excessive flexing of a hind leg.

Trappy: Used to describe a short, quick, high, and often choppy stride. This happens in horses with straight pasterns and straight shoulders.

	Created by Laressa Hood over 10 years ago

NZQA level 4 Equine 2014 Note on Conformation, created by Laressa Hood on 26/05/2014.