The purpose of this web site is to enable you to recognize limb patterns of the major gaits exhibited by cursorial quadrupeds (running animals).
When you are able to recognize gaits and anticipate foot-fall patterns as you view a moving animal, you can begin to identify gait abnormalities, distinguish abnormal from normal gait variations, and start to identify sources of gait disorders.
Use the navigation menu (left) to:
1] Read Background Information About Gaits;
2] Consult the Glossary when you encounter unknown terms;
3] Examine individual gaits (by clicking the name of the gait).
The animated cartoons illustrating of canine locomotion are intended to give you practice recognizing limb patterns in a moving animal. The cartoons emphasize limb sequences (not trunk mechanics). The animations are limited to typical patterns of the major gait types (excluding less typical gait variations).
You may wish to start with the pace and trot, which are the simplest gaits to understand. The walk is mechanically the most complicated gait to comprehend. For each gait that you select, your viewing options are:
1) normal speed
lateral view of gait locomotion;
2) slow speed
lateral view of gait locomotion; or
3) individual steps
of a stride (limb sequence & paw print patterns);
you progress through the individual steps, via:
clicking forward/backward buttons
hitting right/left keyboard arrows
To exit to the Minnesota Veterinary Anatomy web site, click:
Veterinary Anatomy Home Page