Which gait has the least number of beats?

The trot is characterized by a two-beat gait, which is the least number of beats among the options listed. In a trot, the horse moves its legs in diagonal pairs: the left fore and right hind leg move together, followed by the right fore and left hind leg. This creates a rhythmic and balanced movement with only two distinct footfalls per stride.

In contrast, a walk is a four-beat gait where each leg moves independently, resulting in a more complex pattern of footfalls. The canter is a three-beat gait that is faster than a trot but still involves more beats than the trot. The gallop, being the fastest gait, has a four-beat rhythm as well, similar to a walk. Therefore, among all the gaits, the trot stands out with its simplicity and efficiency, making it the gait with the least number of beats.