jaquine

The term "jaquine" refers to a specific type of gait found in certain breeds of horses, most notably the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Missouri Fox Trotter. It is a four-beat diagonal gait, meaning that each of the four hoof beats lands at a different time, and the diagonal pairs of legs move in unison. This gait is characterized by a smooth, gliding motion and a characteristic "nodding" head movement.

Unlike the flat-footed walk, where the horse's feet strike the ground in a distinct sequence, the jaquine involves a more pronounced moment of suspension between each beat. This gives the impression of the horse "floating" over the ground. The front leg on one side and the hind leg on the opposite side move forward simultaneously, followed by the other diagonal pair. This rhythmic progression creates a very comfortable ride for the rider, as there is minimal up-and-down or side-to-side motion.

The jaquine is often mistaken for other gaits like the running walk or the fox trot. While similar in its smoothness and four-beat nature, the jaquine typically has a slightly faster tempo and a more pronounced knee action in the front legs. The head nodding, a common characteristic of the jaquine, is believed to be a natural rhythmic response to the gait itself, often amplified by training and the horse's conformation. This distinctive gait makes horses that perform it highly desirable for pleasure riding and trail riding due to their exceptional comfort.