Which of the following horse gaits is characterized by four beats?

The walk is indeed characterized by four distinct beats. In this gait, each foot hits the ground independently, creating a rhythm where the horse moves forward with a smooth, deliberate pace. Specifically, the sequence of the footfalls in a walk is as follows: left hind, left front, right hind, right front. This separation of beats allows for stability and balance, making the walk a natural and comfortable gait for the horse.

In comparison, the trot is a two-beat gait where diagonal pairs of legs move together (i.e., the left front and right hind move simultaneously, followed by the right front and left hind). The canter is a three-beat gait with one hind leg leading and followed by the opposite hind leg and both front legs. The gallop features a fast, four-beat gait but includes a moment of suspension where all four legs are off the ground together, differing from the steady rhythm of the walk. Understanding these differences in gaits is essential for evaluating horse movement and performance.