The slow gait is one of the five gaits performed by the American Saddlebred, an elevated, four-beat lateral gait performed with a high degree of collection and animation. Each foot falls separately in a lateral sequence — near hind, near fore, off hind, off fore — with a distinct moment of hesitation between each footfall that gives the gait its characteristic “slow” appearance despite being ridden at a controlled pace. The slow gait is not truly slow in the sense of being leisurely; the term refers to the deliberate, suspended quality of the movement rather than its speed.
The Five-Gaited American Saddlebred
American Saddlebreds are divided into two show categories: three-gaited (performing walk, trot, and canter) and five-gaited. The five-gaited horse performs two additional gaits — the slow gait and the rack — that are unique to the breed and are not natural in most other horses. Both are lateral four-beat gaits, but they differ in execution and purpose.
The slow gait is the more collected and deliberate of the two specialty gaits. It demonstrates precision, training, and the horse’s ability to produce elevated, animated movement with maximum expression. It is typically performed on both reins in the show ring and is judged on correctness of footfall, animation, balance, and the horse’s overall presence and carriage.
Slow Gait vs the Rack
The rack is the faster, more extended version of the same lateral four-beat sequence. While the slow gait is collected and suspended, the rack is performed at speed with maximum impulsion — it is one of the fastest gaits performed by any horse, and the footfalls become nearly indistinguishable from each other at full pace. A five-gaited show class typically includes both the slow gait and the rack, with each assessed separately.
The fundamental difference is speed and collection. Both use the same lateral footfall sequence, but the slow gait is a study in control and elevation while the rack is a demonstration of power and ground coverage. Transitioning cleanly between the two — and maintaining correct footfall in each — is a mark of a well-trained five-gaited horse and a skilled rider.
Training the Slow Gait
Producing a correct slow gait requires specialist training within the Saddlebred discipline. The gait is developed through combination of breeding (Saddlebreds are selectively bred for gait potential), specific shoeing (performance horses wear weighted shoes to encourage elevation), and long-term, methodical training under a specialist trainer. The gait cannot simply be trained into a horse that lacks the genetic predisposition for it.
Shoeing plays a significant role in developing and presenting the slow gait in the show ring. Heavier shoes, particularly on the front feet, encourage the horse to lift its feet higher and hold the elevated position longer. This practice is standard in American Saddlebred showing and is regulated by the show society to prevent excess weight that would compromise the horse’s welfare. See also our entry on the pace for comparison of lateral gait mechanics.
The American Saddlebred in the UK
The American Saddlebred is a relatively rare breed in the United Kingdom, though a small dedicated community maintains the breed and its traditions. Five-gaited classes are not common in British shows, but breed societies and specialist events do exist. The FEI does not govern American Saddlebred showing in the traditional five-gaited format, which falls under national breed society rules rather than international dressage or performance sport.
For riders interested in gaited horses with more established UK presence, the Icelandic Horse’s tölt and the Tennessee Walking Horse’s running walk are related lateral gaits worth exploring, though they are quite different in character and training approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any horse learn the slow gait?
No. The slow gait is a hereditary gait specific to breeds with the genetic predisposition for lateral four-beat movement. American Saddlebreds are selectively bred for this ability over generations. Attempting to train a horse without the genetic background for the gait will not produce a true slow gait — only an unbalanced approximation that puts undue strain on the horse.
Is the slow gait comfortable to ride?
Yes — like most lateral gaits, the slow gait produces a smooth, gliding motion for the rider with minimal vertical bounce. Unlike the trot (which requires posting or sitting to absorb diagonal suspension), the lateral sequence of the slow gait distributes movement more evenly and is considered exceptionally comfortable over distance.
How is the slow gait judged in the show ring?
Judges assess correctness of footfall (four distinct beats in proper lateral sequence), degree of collection, elevation of the knees and hocks, overall balance and carriage, and the horse’s presence and expression. A horse that falls into a pace (two-beat lateral) rather than a true four-beat slow gait will be penalised. The horse must show clear hesitation between footfalls that distinguishes the slow gait from a running walk or tölt.