what is it called when horse crosses front legs when moving?

[Dizzykizzy]

I thought it was called plaiting but searching for plaiting in horses doesn't bring anything up on google except plaiting manes and tails!
Does anyone know anything about this? Horse in question puts her second foot down in the line of the first one. She isn't catching herself but it looks a bit odd.
Will she improve as she matures? She is a recently backed 4 year old (and she isn't mine!)
Thanks for reading.

 

[hellybelly6]

It might improve with time, fitness and balance. I thought it was also called plaiting.

 

[Cliqmo]

Yes I'm sure it is plaiting but cant find anything either

 

[hellybelly6]

Sorry I cant help any more. You could try looking up unsoundness, gaits that type of thing.

 

[Shilasdair]

It is called plaiting, and some breeds are bred to do it, particularly heavy horses.

The reason is that when horses were used for ploughing, etc, by plaiting, their feet remained in the furrow, and caused less soil damage.

S

 

[Chico Mio]

http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/hippology/gaits.html

scroll down to gait defects

 

[Cliqmo]

If you google "horse plaiting front legs" it comes up with more accurate responses than just typing "horse plaiting"

 

[foxviewstud]

iv always known it as plaiting

 

[Tnavas]

Known as plaiting - Heavy horses don't do it unless working in a furrow and any horse will do that if there is a track already visible.

My Clydesdale moves as straight as a die!

 

[Dizzykizzy]

Thanks everyone, off to have another look.
Does anyone know if it is a big problem or could she improve as she matures and her chest develops a bit more?

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
Known as plaiting - Heavy horses don't do it unless working in a furrow and any horse will do that if there is a track already visible.

My Clydesdale moves as straight as a die!

[/ QUOTE ]

According to my father, who used to plough with Clydies (yes, he is that old), they are bred to do it, and it is their normal movement.
Obviously, changing their natural gait would be excessively tiring for them, especially during heavy work like ploughing.
S

 

[DunRoamin]

I've always known it as Dishing not Plaiting,

 

[Patches]

Dishing is when they swing the leg out from the knee during the trot stride.

My horse plaits in front. Always has. I have no idea why she does it because she's not at all narrow in front. She only really does it in walk.

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks everyone, off to have another look.
Does anyone know if it is a big problem or could she improve as she matures and her chest develops a bit more?

[/ QUOTE ]

To answer your question, plaiting is only really a problem if she is interfering with herself e.g. brushing or speedicutting.
If she is doing this, you could ask your farrier to check her foot balance, and ensure that she wears appropriate boots to prevent injury.
It is probably due to the conformation of her front legs and/or a narrow chest. Chests do widen as horses mature, but by the time they are four or five, the changes would be minimal.
S