really blonde question... how do you tell if a horse looks stiff?

[Ziggy_]

I know this sounds ridiculous, but honestly how do you tell? I can spot a lame horse, and can tell when a horse is working properly and identify their weaker rein etc but I've always been a bit confused when someone sees a horse trotting across a field and comments that it looks a bit stiff.

The answer is probably really obvious but pictures/video would be great.

 

[sugarnspice]

No pictures or videos but I think if you saw it you would see it. It's a bit like when you see old people walk, and they're not really bending properly.
If that makes any sense

. It's hard to explain!

 

[Flame_]

Sometimes people also say a horse looks 'stiff' when they mean 'lame' but are trying to be polite.

 

[madmav]

i would agree with that. Only if I knew a horse really well and the way it moves would I be able to tell the difference. May be a very well-trained eye is needed?