Gait is a term used to describe the speed and manner of movement of an animal, such as a horse. The three most common gaits for horses are gallop, trot, and canter. Galloping is the fastest GAIT, with the horse's legs moving in diagonal pairs. Trotting is a two-beat GAIT, with the legs moving in diagonal pairs but at a slower speed than galloping. Canter is a three-beat GAIT, with the horse's legs moving in a lateral sequence. All three gaits are used in riding and racing horses.