Horses of different breeds differ from each other not only in appearance, but also in their gait. There are 3 main types of gaits: standard walk, trot and gallop. A special gait, not included in this classification, is called ambling. Horses-pacers with a noble gait are valued above their brothers.

A horse ambles. White pacer. Ambling in the snow. Black pacer.
A pacer for riding. A horse for movement. A pacer of bay color in equestrian sports. A pacer in sports competitions.

Who are the pacers?

Pacers are horses that move at an unusual trot. Unlike the classic trot with the legs moving diagonally, ambling is a walk during which the animal moves its legs synchronously - simultaneously on the right and then on the left side. Pacers are horses of any breed; such gait is characteristic of steppe horses. In America, a special breed (Standardbred) of graceful and swift pacers was bred.

Today, light-drawn pacer horses participate in sports competitions. American trotters, when ambling, almost always run only in a forward direction. Horses are characterized by agility; ambling allows them to easily cover long distances - more than 100 km. The average running speed of the animal is 3 m/s. A smooth, chiseled gait looks beautiful and noble.

Origin story

The first information about pacers came from a treatise written by a Mesopotamian cattle breeder in the 14th century. BC e. The gait became further widespread during the Middle Ages. Knights went on military campaigns on pacers, because these horses could move for a long time without causing discomfort to the rider. But during the fighting, the knights switched to trotters, since ambling reduced the speed and dexterity of the warrior.

With the advent of road infrastructure in Europe, people began to abandon pacers. Greater preference was given to trotters with sufficient endurance. The pacers were highly appreciated by the people of America. Breeding of such horses continued throughout the continent, and in the USA until the 19th century. Selection work was carried out to improve the qualities of the pacer breed.

The most popular American pacer was the horse Messenger. He was able to pass on the amble to all his offspring. This innate ability to amble is valued much more than the skill acquired through training. This is how purebred pacers began to appear in the world.

Breeds of pacer horses

The American Standardbred horse was developed in the late 19th century. Representatives of this breed have a different gait. The color of the horses is bay, sometimes darker and even black. Cuban trotters with an unusual stride are highly revered. Animals have powerful muscles, a strong torso and a long neck. Trotters of gray and bay colors are more common. Horses can live in desert conditions, feeding on pasture. Versatile horses show good results in eventing and racing. They are also used in agriculture.

Kazakh steppe ambling trotters have ancient origins. Now they live in Kazakhstan. Animals are distinguished by strength and endurance, can cover long distances, and are used in horse riding and work.

The Kyrgyz rock belongs to the pack type. The Kyrgyz pacer is an unpretentious and hardy horse. Selection work to improve the qualities of the breed is carried out in Kyrgyzstan to this day. Distinctive features of Kyrgyz horses:

• short powerful neck;
• elongated body;
• insufficiently pronounced withers;
• short legs with strong hooves.

To improve the qualities of the breed, horses are crossed with purebred horses used for riding.

Characteristics

Horses with beautiful gait are often used for riding. During the ride, the rider does not shake or toss in the saddle. Movement occurs softly and smoothly. Ambling is faster than a simple trot. In steppe conditions, the animal can cover long distances. The legs of an animal moving in this way are subject to less stress and do not need special protection. You can watch the movements of a horse with such a beautiful and noble gait with great pleasure.

• clumsiness and inability of the animal to make turns quickly;
• the difficulty of performing some artificial types of gait on command;
• poor maneuverability;
• instability;
• the ability to develop high speed only on a flat surface.

Instead of a thoroughbred trotter with an innate amble, the buyer may be presented with a horse that has been previously trained in such walking. Natural ambling does not cause any discomfort to the animal, otherwise the horse will quickly get tired and get injured.

For a horse with a different gait, horseshoes are placed in a special way. This reduces the load on the front legs. Horses with such a gait are not adapted to carrying large loads, because in this case they quickly get tired.

The type of gait of horses is called gait. There are 4 main types of gait: trot, walk, gallop and amble. These types, in turn, are divided into artificial and natural. A walk or trot is the name given to the normal movement of a horse, which is based on the following principle: while running, the trotter moves its legs diagonally - the right front leg, then the left hind leg. With the next step, on the contrary, the right hind leg and, accordingly, the left front leg. The “wrong” ambling movement consists in the fact that when moving, the horse alternately carries out both right or both left legs, and 2 impacts on the ground can be clearly heard. The horse sways from side to side as it runs.

The characteristic features of this movement are perfectly demonstrated in the following video.

Pacers are horses for which the main and natural gait is ambling. This natural gait is inherent from birth in American standardbred trotters, Cuban horses, Kazakh and Kyrgyz breeds. A horse that was originally trotting can be moved to a different gait using a special device.

The ambling movement is pleasant and comfortable for the rider. Highly valued for horseback riding. The surface must be flat. Because of its speed, it is not so easy for a stallion to make turns and turns, this affects its maneuverability. At numerous competitions, it has been repeatedly confirmed by the results that horses moving at an amble are somewhat faster than trotters. Equestrian sport began to develop at a rapid pace.

Video of competitions at the hippodrome, where standardbred pacers and trotters are presented.

Breeds of pacers

American Standardbred

This breed of American stallion (which is bred according to a certain standard) is a classic representative of horses with an ambling gait.

The breed was bred in the USA at the end of the 19th century. At first the horses were called American Trotters, but as this breed developed, more than half of the stallions born were pacers, after which it was renamed the Standardbred. The only criterion for selecting stallions from producers was the level of agility. The breed was first officially recognized in 1879. The stallion Hambletonian X (born 1849) is considered the ancestor of this breed. From that time on, only those horses of the American Trotter breed that showed a standard speed of 2 minutes 30 seconds for trotters, 2 minutes 25 seconds for pacers at a distance of 1 mile (1609 m) began to be recorded in the stud books. Over time, standards have changed, and the time to cover the distance has decreased. The length of the body along the oblique is 157 cm, the height at the withers is in the range of 142 - 162 cm, the chest girth is 180 cm, and the metacarpus is 19.2 cm. They are predominantly bay in color, but there are also black, dark bay, and even red horses.

This video shows prominent representatives of the horse breed

Cuban pacers

Cuban pacers are considered noble animals, with a graceful long neck, bright eyes, powerful and strong chest. The height of the horse is between 130-140 cm. The length of the body along the oblique is 136 cm, the chest girth is 157 cm, and the pastern is 17.6 cm.

They are predominantly bay and gray in color. Other suits are rare. They have good health. They eat desert and semi-desert food. This is a universal horse that takes part in racing and eventing, and is also used in agriculture. Today the breed is being improved and developed.

Kazakh pacers

Lives in the wide Kazakh steppes, having ancient origins. It was first bred in Kazakhstan and adjacent territories, where it is still bred today. Historians confirm that the breed appeared in the distant past. It was used as a universal animal by the tribes that were part of the Golden Horde. The horse was invaluable on the campaign. They used it as a means of transportation in harness and as a pack for transporting goods over long distances. Under the rider's saddle, the horse ran hundreds of kilometers. It was also a universal and irreplaceable source of kumys and meat.

The horse runs hundreds of kilometers under the saddle of the rider. The animal is not whimsical, feeds on its own and grazes in the steppe almost all year round. Kept in herds and looked after by shepherds.

Divided into a meat and dairy breed, it has ancient origins. And the riding breed (pacers), which was bred under the influence of breeds of other species. This breed is being improved and improved in our time.

Not a single equestrian sporting competition in Kazakhstan takes place without pacers. The presence of such a horse shows the high status and wealth of the owner.

West Kazakhstan pacers are highly valued. Tall and massive horses have extraordinary endurance. They are used for running over long distances. The breed is improved by crossing mares with Mongolian and Turkmen stallions. In the northern part of Kazakhstan with horses living in forests, to form different ecotypes. The territory over which the Kazakh pacer is distributed is very vast, from the Altai Territory to the Ural Mountains. Due to different climatic conditions, horses most often graze on their own. In winter, it can dig out snow 40 cm deep with its hooves and get food for itself. This method of feeding is called tebenevka. Pacers are resistant to frost. Withstands low temperatures - 45 degrees. The height of the horse is in the range of 131-138 cm. The length of the body along the oblique is 140 - 144 cm, the chest girth is 156 - 164 cm, and the pastern is 16 - 18 cm. The horse is short, but with a strong constitution. Horse weight ranges from 320 - 360 kg.

Thanks to their endurance, Kazakh pacers take part in races mainly over long distances of 25 km, which can be seen in this video

Kyrgyz pacers

Pack type rock. The back of these pacers is strong, the neck is short, the body is slightly elongated, the withers are poorly developed, the limbs are short, and the hooves are strong. The average height of a horse is 137cm. Bay and gray colors predominate. Kyrgyz pacers are unpretentious and hardy animals. Pasture can serve as food all year round. In winter, the food consists mainly of hay. Kyrgyz breeders are working to improve the breed. To improve the breed, purebred riding stallions are used. Kyrgyz pacers are often seen in long-distance races of 20 - 30 versts. With a result of 1 minute 36 seconds for 1 mile.

Pacers, regardless of breed, are beautiful and noble animals.

Most animals in nature move at a trot. They change legs diagonally: first the right front, then the left back, again the front, but this time the left and right back. This is how cats, dogs and other wildlife move around. But if you watch the movement of, for example, a camel, you will notice that it moves legs parallel. That is, the right front and right rear leg, then the front left and back left. It turns out that this animal moves differently.

This movement is called ambling, that is, moving differently. This movement technique, or, as professionals say, gait, is also observed in horses.

What is a horse's amble?

Ambling is a horse's way of moving.. With this gait, she carries both limbs of one side at the same time. Thus, the horse transfers weight from one side to the other. This causes the horse to move swaying.

For comparison, consider how a horse moves at a trot. With this gait, the horse throws out the right front leg and the left hind leg, then the legs change. When trotting, the limbs move diagonally. This type of movement is called two-tempo.

Lynx is much more common. This type of movement is familiar to horse breeders. As for horsemen, ambling is best for them. In this case, the rider feels good, he does not get tired and does not shake.

Ambling is an innate gait. Many horse breeds are already born with this gait. You can, of course, retrain the horse. In this case, you will have to spend a lot of time. In addition, horses can get injured.

In order to retrain a horse from a trot to an amble, wear special belts, which stretch between the legs of one side. In this case, it is harder for the horse to gallop or trot. Belts often cause animals to fall and injure themselves. But you can retrain them.

While a pacer, the horse cannot be retrained. She does not go into a gallop when picking up speed, but the trotters do. For pacers, light horseshoes are made for the front legs; for the hind legs, spikes are used, but they are rarely attached.

Gallery: pacer horse (25 photos)

How did pacer horses appear?

The pacer horse is America's treasure. It was they who figured out not to retrain American trotters, but to develop the appearance of pacers. And they succeeded.

The first breed was obtained by crossing the English breed and the Norkfolk. By the end of the 19th century, the Americans managed to develop the first pacer. In addition, the blood of American trotters flows in the veins of this breed, which are descended from Arabian horses and trotters from Holland.

The first among the pacers is a horse named Messenger. He is a purebred American. It was from him that ambling was passed on to his offspring.

Another horse named Morgan also contributed. This horse was bred by crossing an English breed and an Arabian one.

Considering the history of the appearance of pacers, one cannot fail to mention Belvoander. This horse was a purebred Norfolk trotter. He gave birth to the most prolific American trotter, Hambletonian Tenth. His descendants still participate in various races and races to this day.

American Standardbred

We have already found out that it was the Americans who began to breed this breed of trotters. It was developed at the end of the 19th century. At first, the stallions were called American trotters, but since most of the animals were pacers, the breed was renamed standardbred.

This breed was officially recognized in 1879. This happened after the birth of the horse Hambletonian the Tenth. He is the founder of the American Trotter breed. These horses showed the best performance results: 2 minutes 30 seconds for a trotter and 2 minutes 25 seconds for a pacer over a distance of 1609 meters. Over time, the time to overcome decreased.

Stallion dimensions:

• The length of the body is 157 cm obliquely.
• height at withers – up to 162 cm.
• chest circumference – 180 cm.
• metacarpus – 19.2 cm.

Most stallions are bay in color. But there are also black and even red colors in stallions.

Cuban breed

Stallions from this breed are considered noble animals. They have a long neck, bright eyes, strong and powerful chest.

Pacer dimensions:

• Height is up to 140 cm.
• Body length – 136 cm.
• Bust circumference – 157 cm.
• Five – 17.6 cm.

Color bay or gray. They are in good health. Such horses used in agriculture and racing. This is where their versatility comes into play. Currently, the breed continues to improve.

A freedom-loving breed. Grown in the steppes of Kazakhstan. Historians note that these stallions belong to an ancient species. They were used as universal animal. They handled long distances well. It is assumed that this is exactly the breed that the Golden Horde had. The animal was also an irreplaceable source of meat and kumiss.

Currently there are two breeds:

• Meat and dairy. This breed is one of the oldest.
• Horse. It includes pacers. The breed was developed by crossing other species. It is improving now.

It is the second breed that is used for racing. The pacer shows the wealth and high status of its owner.

West Kazakhstan pacers are of particular value. They look very powerful and have great endurance. They are used for long distance running. This breed is constantly improving. She is crossed with Mongolian and Turkmen stallions.

The Kazakhstan pacer is found over a large area. This breed survives frosts well. Can get food on its own. It digs up snow up to 40 cm and obtains grass for food. This breed is used for racing over long distances - from 25 km.

Horse dimensions:

• Height – up to 138 cm.
• Oblique length - up to 144 cm.
• Chest circumference – up to 164 cm.
• Metacarpus – up to 18 cm.
• Weight – up to 360 kg.

This is a pack type rock. The average height is 137 cm. The color is bay or gray. This kind unpretentious and resilient. In winter it feeds on hay, and in summer on fresh grass.

This species is not distinguished by powerful withers and high legs. Breeders are constantly working to improve this breed. For this purpose, purebred riding horses are used.

It is worth noting that this breed participates in long distance races. Basically these are distances of 20–30 miles. The stallion covers a distance of 1 mile in 1 minute 36 seconds.

Horse pacers

You can watch the races of pacers in America, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. In Europe, horse racing was banned.

The first to pay attention to the different manner of movement in horses were the Americans. At the same time, they did not retrain the trotters, as many horse breeders from neighboring countries did. They simply began to breed a breed that could amble from birth. After which they began to conduct races among these horses.

Horse racing has become very popular. And along with this, popularity came to the participants themselves - the stallions. Several horses that went down in racing history:

If we talk about horses on the territory of our country, then we can highlight two main names:

• Burn. This stallion ran the distance in 2.03.3. minutes. At the same time, the horse was retrained to amble.
• Knockout. Another stallion from our country. His result was 2.03. minutes.

So, we talked about pacers. These are stallions that are distinguished by their movement. I would like to end the article with a few interesting facts:

Attention, TODAY only!

It is not typical for many horses, but it deserves attention and recognition. Noble and beautiful animals - and photos of which you can see in this review - will become the topic of our conversation. Who are pacers and what is their feature, read on.

Ambling horses move with a peculiar gait, which is called ambling. Horses usually move their legs diagonally when trotting. That is, first the right hind leg moves forward, and then the left front leg, after which the left hind leg goes forward, followed by the right front leg. And when ambling, horses rearrange their legs differently - first, two legs on the right side are thrown forward, and then on the left.

Pacers usually sway gently when walking, gently shaking the rider. For this feature they are considered one of the most comfortable horses for riding. Horses with innate ambling are the most highly valued. Most animals are taught this method of walking, but sometimes the horse deliberately switches to it without prompting from the rider.

Standardbred horses have been world-famous pacers for many decades. This is a traditional light draft breed that competes in racing. The second name of the breed sounds like “American Trotters”. Over time, representatives of the breed increasingly chose ambling for their gait, which is why they are rarely called trotters in our time. In the following video, a jockey rides a standardbred horse.

Peculiarities

Several main features that distinguish pacers from other breeds:

• It is most convenient for pacers to run in a straight line without turning;
• per day, an animal running in this way can cover a distance of 120 km;
• the pacer’s walk is very beautiful and is accompanied by the characteristic hammered clatter of hooves;
• the average pacer speed is 3 m/s.

Origin story

The final breeding of the breed was completed in the USA at the end of the 19th century. The Pacers were created by crossing an English Thoroughbred and a Norfolk. Dutch trotting stallions and American trotters with admixtures of Arabian blood also took part in the crossing.

An American purebred stallion named Messenger played the most important role in the creation of the ambling breed. His numerous offspring were capable of a fast trotting gait from birth. The video below shows the American Trotter running.

In addition to Messenger, Morgna, an Anglo-Arab breeding horse, also played a significant role in this responsible matter, establishing the trotting gait among his descendants. Another historically significant specimen is the Bellevounder, a Norfolk trotter. Bellefounder's daughter and Messenger's grandson were bred, resulting in the dark bay stallion Hambletonian Ten. He sired more than 1,300 foals, which produced the offspring that make up the bulk of the pacers and trotters racing in the United States today.

How are horses retrained to amble?

To retrain animals that do not move at a clean amble, but go into a trot or gallop, American breeders used special fixing belts. The horse's legs were tied in pairs with belts (the right front with the right rear, and the left ones, respectively). So the jockeys taught the horses not to stray into a different type of gait, and the animals began to move faster.

At horse races, racing animals are still secured with belts. Critics of this method believe that it is not humane for horses, since the animals are more likely to be injured. Riders also suffer - they are more likely to fly out of the saddle. However, there are no plans to abandon restraint belts in the United States. The following video will show you how horse racing works.

• If you make the horse's front shoes lighter, it will go into an amble, but if the front shoes are heavier than the back shoes, it will go into a trot.
• Russian trotters do not like to amble, so traditionally this gait is considered optional for thoroughbred trotters.
• If a horse switches to an ambling gait in winter, the front heels of the legs can be injured by the spikes.
• S. Thompson's story “The Mustang Pacer” is dedicated to pacers.
• The stallion Kambest is the first holder of the record for overcoming a racing distance (1600 meters) in 1 minute and 46.2 seconds, which is equal to 55 km/h.
• The EPA (European Trotting Association) has banned ambling races throughout Europe.
• Pacer racing can traditionally be seen in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA.

Video "Derby in Germany"

In this video you can see how the German horse racing took place in 2014.

Many people believe that a pacer is a specific breed of horse. In fact, it is a horse adapted for a special type of gait called ambling. In this case, the horse trots, moving forward simultaneously the right front and hind legs, and then simultaneously the left front and hind legs. Pacing horses are racers that usually run at this gait, and not all breeds are capable of this.

Horse pacers are typical of the Caucasus

Origin story

Interestingly, there are horse breeds for which such a gait is an innate feature. Usually these are mountain and steppe. Thus, pacer horses are characteristic of the Caucasus. They are found both in Crimea and among some varieties of Persian breeds. However, in some breeds this method of running is an acquired quality, for the sake of which selection work was carried out. Moreover, both representatives of riding breeds and trotters can have ambling.

It is interesting that for the first time people became interested in such a gait in America. There, the breeders noted that this method of running is clearly faster than the usual trot, and based on long-term selection work in A separate standardbred breed was developed in the USA. To obtain it, representatives of the Norfolk and English purebred breeds were used. But at the same time, all the resulting individuals had to go through pacer races, that is, the breeding of genetically determined qualities was supplemented by constant training.

For horses, this way of running is not something natural, even with favorable genetics, so additional training was almost always provided for the innate qualities. In addition, it turned out to be a kind of selection of the gene pool for the future breed, since if the horse successfully completed such races, covering a distance of 1 mile in 3 minutes or even faster, then such an animal was selected for the breed being created.