What is loping?

Loping is a slow, relaxed three-beat gait of a horse that is commonly used in Western riding disciplines such as reining, trail riding, and western pleasure. It is also sometimes referred to as "canter." Loping is characterized by a smooth, rolling motion that is slower than a gallop. The horse's front and hind legs move alternately in a three-beat sequence, with the first beat coming from the outside hind leg, followed by a pause, then the inside hind leg and outside front leg moving together, then the inside front leg. Proper loping technique requires a balanced, collected, and relaxed horse that responds to the rider's cues through subtle shifts in body weight and leg aids.