In the horse world, gaited breeds are a rare but welcome prospect. Of the roughly 350 horse breeds, only around 30 are naturally gaited. Gaited horses have a smoother, easier ride and are often favored by people who have back or joint issues.

Here are 10 horse breeds known for their gaiting ability.

What Is a Gaited Horse?

“Gaiting” is the term for a horse that “single-foots” (always has one foot in contact with the ground), ambles, paces, or does a running walk.

Breed Characteristics

A common thread among gaited breeds is they are sturdy, sensible mounts that don’t require too much from the rider. Some naturally gaited horses, particularly those with lateral ambling gaits like pace and stepping, may have difficulty learning how to canter. If your horse is laterally inclined, you will probably need a gaited trainer to help your horse learn to canter. Most gaited horses tend to be high-headed, with their heads set higher on their shoulders rather than their back. Gaited horses tend to be used more for pleasure riding and driving versus track racehorses that are trained for speed.

Tip

Although some horse breeds are naturally gaited, other horses can be trained to be gaited. Mixed-breed horses that aren’t gaited might pass down the gaiting trait in their DNA, resulting in naturally gaited offspring.

  • 01
  • of 10
  • Icelandic Horse
  • Tim Graham / Getty Images
  • Icelandic horses are sure-footed and resistant to harsh conditions. The Icelandic word “tolt” describes the horse’s single-footed pace. Its gait is comfortable for the rider, and it can carry a person briskly over rough terrain. Icelandic horses are commonly used for pleasure riding, harness races, and horse shows.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 12 hands (48 inches) to 14 hands (56 inches)Weight: 730 to 840 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Squat-legged; deep chest; long back; shaggy fur
  • 02
  • of 10
  • American Saddlebred
  • Kit Houghton / Getty Images
  • The American saddlebred is one of the most popular gaited horses often used in parades. It’s prized for its smooth ride and flashiness. Some have five distinct gaits, including a slow gait and a rack. Racking is a quick, lateral gait that has a four-beat movement in which one foot is on the ground at a time with equal intervals between each beat.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 15 hands (60 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)Weight: 1,000 to 1,200 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Arched neck; short back; muscular build; high tail carriage
  • 03
  • of 10
  • Paso Fino
  • Luc Novovitch / Getty Images
  • The words “paso fino” mean “delicate passage,” which describes this breed’s gait in Spanish. The Paso Fino was developed in Colombia, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and other Caribbean islands. These horses are small and sturdy, carrying riders over the rugged terrain of their island and coastal homes.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 13 hands (52 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)Weight: 700 to 1,100 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Small head; relatively short back; prominent withers
  • 04
  • of 10
  • Peruvian Paso
  • ManuelGonzalezOlaecheaFranco / Getty Images
  • Peru’s national horse has many fans for its elegant carriage and smooth ride. It is famous for its two special gaits: the slow “paso llano” and the fast “sobreandando.” The Peruvian Paso is also noted as the only horse with the “termino”, a movement where the horse lifts its knee high and swings its foreleg outward to the side.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)Weight: 900 to 1,100 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Muscular build; deep chest; low tail carriage
  • Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05
  • of 10
  • American Standardbred
  • Barrett & MacKay / Getty Images
  • The American standardbred is a star in harness races. But these horses are great for riding, too. They have two distinct gaits: pacing and trotting. Pacers have a single-foot amble, or “pace” (forelegs move in unison with hind legs on the same side), while trotters have a single-foot walk or running walk. Pacers tend to race faster than their trotting relatives.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 15 hands (60 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)Weight: 900 to 1,000 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Deep chest; muscular legs; thick mane and tail
  • 06
  • of 10
  • Tennessee Walking Horse
  • Ryan Courson Photography / Getty Images
  • The smooth gait of the Tennessee walking horse makes it one of North America’s most popular breeds. It was developed to give people a gentle ride as they tended to farmland. It is known for its unique four-beat running walk and flashy movement. Plus, it generally has a calm disposition.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)Weight: 900 to 1,200 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Muscular build; long head; small ears; straight profile
  • 07
  • of 10
  • Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse
  • Carmelka / Getty Images
  • Sure-footed and even-tempered, the Kentucky mountain saddle horse has a natural four-beat gait, called an amble or a rack. One hoof is always in contact with the ground, which makes the horse reliably stable. A rider can sit almost motionless while the horse travels at a fast canter.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 11 hands (44 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)Weight: 950 to 1,200 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Muscular build; flat facial profile; deep chest
  • 08
  • of 10
  • Marwari Horse
  • Max Paddler / Getty Images
  • Hailing from India, the Marwari horse is rare to see in North America. It has an ambling gait, similar to a pace. Its gait is called a “revaal,” “aphcal,” or “rehwal.” Considered natural performers, these horses are suited to competitive dressage and exhibitions. Marwari horses are also polo horses.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)Weight: 750 to 1,000 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Sickle-shaped ears that curve inward and often touch at the tips; long back; slender legs with small hooves
  • Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09
  • of 10
  • Morgan
  • dcdebs / Getty Images
  • Morgans are commonly regarded as non-gaited horses, but many will gait naturally. A review of the genetics of gaited Morgans showed a mixture of saddlebred, standardbred, and thoroughbred horses. Scientists have isolated the gaiting trait in DNA tests and found that nearly a fifth of all Morgans have it.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)Weight: 900 to 1,100 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Short head with wide forehead; muscular neck; thick mane and tail
  • 10
  • of 10
  • Appaloosa
  • Marilyn Angel Wynn / Getty Images
  • A gaited Appaloosa has a lateral gait, which is when the legs on the same side of the horse move together. It’s often referred to as the Appaloosa shuffle. This four-beat gait resembles a pace, though it’s smoother. It looks a lot like the running walk of a Tennessee walker.
  • Breed Overview
  • Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)Weight: 950 to 1,200 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Colorful coat patterns; mottled skin; striped hooves

Icelandic Horse

Icelandic horses are sure-footed and resistant to harsh conditions. The Icelandic word “tolt” describes the horse’s single-footed pace. Its gait is comfortable for the rider, and it can carry a person briskly over rough terrain. Icelandic horses are commonly used for pleasure riding, harness races, and horse shows.

Tim Graham / Getty Images

Breed Overview

Height: 12 hands (48 inches) to 14 hands (56 inches)

American Saddlebred

The American saddlebred is one of the most popular gaited horses often used in parades. It’s prized for its smooth ride and flashiness. Some have five distinct gaits, including a slow gait and a rack. Racking is a quick, lateral gait that has a four-beat movement in which one foot is on the ground at a time with equal intervals between each beat.

Kit Houghton / Getty Images

Height: 15 hands (60 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)

Paso Fino

The words “paso fino” mean “delicate passage,” which describes this breed’s gait in Spanish. The Paso Fino was developed in Colombia, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and other Caribbean islands. These horses are small and sturdy, carrying riders over the rugged terrain of their island and coastal homes.

Luc Novovitch / Getty Images

Height: 13 hands (52 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)

Peruvian Paso

Peru’s national horse has many fans for its elegant carriage and smooth ride. It is famous for its two special gaits: the slow “paso llano” and the fast “sobreandando.” The Peruvian Paso is also noted as the only horse with the “termino”, a movement where the horse lifts its knee high and swings its foreleg outward to the side.

ManuelGonzalezOlaecheaFranco / Getty Images

Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)

American Standardbred

The American standardbred is a star in harness races. But these horses are great for riding, too. They have two distinct gaits: pacing and trotting. Pacers have a single-foot amble, or “pace” (forelegs move in unison with hind legs on the same side), while trotters have a single-foot walk or running walk. Pacers tend to race faster than their trotting relatives.

Barrett & MacKay / Getty Images

Height: 15 hands (60 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)

Tennessee Walking Horse

The smooth gait of the Tennessee walking horse makes it one of North America’s most popular breeds. It was developed to give people a gentle ride as they tended to farmland. It is known for its unique four-beat running walk and flashy movement. Plus, it generally has a calm disposition.

Ryan Courson Photography / Getty Images

Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)

Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse

Sure-footed and even-tempered, the Kentucky mountain saddle horse has a natural four-beat gait, called an amble or a rack. One hoof is always in contact with the ground, which makes the horse reliably stable. A rider can sit almost motionless while the horse travels at a fast canter.

Carmelka / Getty Images

Height: 11 hands (44 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)

Marwari Horse

Hailing from India, the Marwari horse is rare to see in North America. It has an ambling gait, similar to a pace. Its gait is called a “revaal,” “aphcal,” or “rehwal.” Considered natural performers, these horses are suited to competitive dressage and exhibitions. Marwari horses are also polo horses.

Max Paddler / Getty Images

Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)

Morgan

Morgans are commonly regarded as non-gaited horses, but many will gait naturally. A review of the genetics of gaited Morgans showed a mixture of saddlebred, standardbred, and thoroughbred horses. Scientists have isolated the gaiting trait in DNA tests and found that nearly a fifth of all Morgans have it.

dcdebs / Getty Images 

Appaloosa

A gaited Appaloosa has a lateral gait, which is when the legs on the same side of the horse move together. It’s often referred to as the Appaloosa shuffle. This four-beat gait resembles a pace, though it’s smoother. It looks a lot like the running walk of a Tennessee walker.

Marilyn Angel Wynn / Getty Images

Breeds to Avoid

Horses that are commonly regarded as “non-gaited” breeds are American quarter horses, thoroughbreds, and Arabians. However, a gaiting trainer can train any horse to pick up a comfortable trail gait. Also, any horse may naturally inherit the gaiting trait if passed on through its DNA.

  • Riding & Equestrian Sports

  • https://www.horseillustrated.com/horse-breeds-horse-breed-articles-peruvian-horse

  • Petersen, Jessica L. et al. Genetic Diversity In The Modern Horse Illustrated From Genome-Wide SNP Data. Plos ONE, vol 8, no. 1, 2013, p. e54997. Public Library Of Science (Plos), doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0054997

  • Petersen, Jessica L. et al. Genetic Diversity In The Modern Horse Illustrated From Genome-Wide SNP Data. Plos ONE, vol 8, no. 1, 2013, p. e54997. Public Library Of Science (Plos), doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0054997