trotting horse
Noun: A horse that is specifically trained to move at a trot, a two-beat diagonal gait. This term especially refers to a horse bred and trained for harness racing, where it pulls a driver in a lightweight cart (a sulky) at a trotting pace.
The term "trotting horse" is used to categorize and describe a type of equine athlete. It distinguishes these horses from pacing horses (which use a lateral gait) and from galloping horses used in traditional saddle racing. - The farm specializes in breeding and training trotting horses for competition. - A good trotting horse must maintain a fast, steady, and even gait.
- In the context of equine history and breeding, the term often refers to specific breeds or bloodlines developed for this purpose, such as the Standardbred, which includes both trotters and pacers.
- The term can be used descriptively outside of formal racing to describe any horse that is performing or naturally inclined to trot, though this is less common.
- Trotter (n.): A common synonym for a trotting horse, especially one used in harness racing.
- The veteran trotter won the race by a nose.
- Harness horse (n.): A broader term for any horse raced in harness (including both trotters and pacers). A trotting horse is a type of harness horse.
- Standardbred (n.): The primary breed used for harness racing, encompassing both trotting and pacing horses.
- Trotter
- Harness racer (when context specifies the trotting gait)
The core meaning is a horse trained for the trotting gait. Its most specific and common application is in the sport of harness racing. It is not typically used for a horse that is simply trotting at a given moment (e.g., "The riding horse is trotting"); it implies specialized training and purpose.
- a horse trained to trot; especially a horse trained for harness racing