DENTON COUNTY 4-H HORSE JUDGING TEAM
Page 2 -Diagrams

Walk
The walk is a four beat gait. 
First beat - left hind
Second beat - left fore
Third beat - right hind
Fourth beat - right fore
Trot
The trot is a two beat gait.  
First beat - right hind and left fore (left diagonal)
Support phase
Suspension - all feet are off the ground
Second beat - left hind and right fore (right diagonal)
Support phase
Suspension - all feet are off the ground

 

Canter
The canter is a three beat gait.  
First beat - right hind
Second beat - diagonal pair (left hind and right fore)
Third beat - left fore ('leading' foreleg)
Fourth beat - pushing off with left fore
Suspension - all feet are off the ground
Gallop
The gallop is a very fast gait.   
First beat - right hind
Second beat - left hind
Third beat - right fore
Fourth beat - left fore
Pushing off - left fore
Suspension - all feet are off the ground

 

Here are some of the more common face markings:

 
Star
- found high up between the eyes - often a diamond shape.


Snip

- small mark on the muzzle
.

 
Stripe
- long straight marking down the horse's nose.


Race

- long wavy or irregular stripe.

 
Bald Face
- marking that covers most of the horse's face.


Blaze

- broad marking down the front of the horse's face.

 
Star and Stripe
- star which continues down to join a stripe.


Star, Stripe & Snip

- marking which extends all the way down to the horse's muzzle.


Here is a list of common leg markings:

Stocking Half Stocking Pastern  

Stocking -- White extending to knee or hock

Half Stocking -- White part way up cannon bone

Pastern -- White to bottom of fetlock

 
Ermine Spots Sock or anklet  

Ermine Spots -- black or colored spots in a white leg

Sock/Anklet -- White includes fetlock

Coronet -- White ring around coronet of hoof

 

Denton County 4-H Horse Judging Teams