During which gait do horses take one step for each leg and have a total of four beats?

In the context of equine movement, the walk is characterized by a four-beat gait where each leg takes a step independently, resulting in a rhythmic sequence that gives a clear distinction as the horse moves. As the horse walks, one leg moves forward while the other three remain planted on the ground, creating a steady, unhurried pace. This means that all four legs are involved in the gait, with each hoof hitting the ground in a precise order, producing four distinct sounds that correspond to the footfalls of the different legs.

In contrast, other gaits like the trot, canter, and gallop combine the movement of legs in different ways—often leading to quicker paces or a shared timing that reduces the number of distinct beats heard. The trot is a two-beat gait, while the canter has a three-beat pattern, and the gallop is also a fast, three-beat gait, emphasizing the differences in leg movement and speed compared to the walk. Thus, the unique and clear sequenced movement at the walk is what defines it as having one step for each leg and a total of four beats.