trots

Trots are a two-beat diagonal gait used by horses and many other quadrupeds, in which diagonal pairs of legs move together (for example, right-front with left-hind, and left-front with right-hind) with a moment of suspension between beats. The trot lies between the walk and the canter in speed and is a fundamental gait for riding and driving.

Mechanics and variation: The trot relies on diagonal limb coordination and weight transfer from hindquarters to forehand. The hind leg often provides propulsion, while the forehand carries more weight during the cycle. Speeds and expressions of the trot vary with training and conformation. Common forms include the working trot (a balanced, moderate cadence), the collected trot (shorter, more elevated steps and greater engagement), and the extended trot (longer stride and higher speed). In riding, the rider’s technique—such as posting, where the rider rises and falls with the trot, or sitting trot—affects comfort and balance.

Uses and disciplines: The trot features prominently in many equestrian disciplines, including dressage, show hunting, and eventing. In harness racing, horses may perform a trot or a pace, with the two gaits differing in rhythm and limb arrangement. In training, the trot is used to develop cadence, balance, and hindquarter engagement, and it often serves as a transition between slower and faster gaits.

Other animals and note: Many other quadrupeds display a diagonal two-beat trot similar in rhythm to the horse’s. The term “the trots” also appears in informal English as slang for diarrhea, a usage unrelated to the gait described here.