Comparative Analysis of Quadrupedal Gallop and Gait Studies: The rotary gallop
Galloping in quadrupeds has been extensively studied to understand the mechanics, energetics, and evolutionary adaptations of various species. The selected studies examine the differences between transverse and rotary gallops, the role of body morphology, such as centre of mass offset, in mechanical models of locomotion, and the application of gait analysis in horses and other cursorial mammals. The rotary gallop is more commonly observed in animals with flexible backbones, such as cats (including cheetahs) and certain dogs such as greyhounds and whippets. We examined thousands of our photos and found two mustangs using a rotary gallop.
Bertram and Gutmann examined the fundamental mechanics of gallop and identified a crucial difference between transverse and rotary forms. Horses epitomize the transverse gallop, where the hindlimbs initiate the center of mass directional transition, a dynamic compared to a skipping stone. Cheetahs use a rotary gallop, with the forelimbs starting the motion like in human running. This distinction highlights how each gallop type optimizes momentum transfer and energy efficiency in relation to species-specific
morphology and performance requirements1.
Yamada et al. further investigated gallop selection through a modeling study focused on horses. Their work demonstrated that the anterior offset of the horse’s center of mass enhances stability and makes the transverse gallop more effective at high speeds. Simulations confirmed that transverse gallop is mechanically optimal given the horse’s morphology. This supports the idea that body structure, particularly center of mass placement, constrains and dictates gait choice across species2.
Parra et al. compared two leg dynamic models—MMS (Mass-Moment-Spring) and SLIP (Spring Loaded Inverted Pendulum)—in the context of galloping quadrupeds. Their results showed that rotary gallop species, such as cheetahs and greyhounds, exhibited higher bending moments and greater capacity for elastic energy storage, enabling rapid acceleration. Conversely, transverse gallop species, including horses and alpacas, produced greater maximum bending moment at forelimb initiation, emphasizing stability and endurance. Importantly, the MMS model, which accounts for leg mass, provided more accurate representations of trunk mechanics than the SLIP model3.
Barrey reviewed the methods, applications, and limitations of equine gait analysis, focusing on the use of kinetic, kinematic, and accelerometric approaches. Gait analysis was shown to be essential in quantifying lameness and evaluating training effects, with stride length and frequency strongly correlated to physiological responses. While laboratory-based tools such as force plates and accelerometry provided detailed insights into gait asymmetry, the translation of these advanced techniques into practical field applications remained limited. Nonetheless, the study emphasized that equine biomechanics has matured into a discipline with important clinical and performance applications4.
Together, these studies highlight that gallop type is closely linked to limb initiation strategy and body morphology. Horses, with an anterior centre of mass, favour the transverse gallop for stability and endurance, while cheetahs employ the rotary gallop for speed and agility. Comparative modeling demonstrates how mechanical structures drive these differences, and gait analysis provides practical tools for applying biomechanical insights in veterinary medicine and performance training.
Below a stallion gallops across Sand Wash Basin in 2015 utilizing a rotary gallop. In photo 4, you can see the rotary stride.
The bay stallion below from Little Book Cliffs, demonstrates the extended stride of a rotary gallop.
In the image below, the stallion could either be jumping over an obstical, or about to extend both forelegs in a rotary stride.
Prevalence in horses
Breed
- Most horses use the transverse gallop almost exclusively.
- Rotary gallop is typical of extreme speed specialists like greyhounds and cheetahs. In horses, it shows up rarely, usually at maximal effort.
- Some anecdotal reports suggest Thoroughbreds (racehorses) are more likely to show a rotary sequence when pushed to top racing speed, but formal kinematic studies show the transverse gallop dominates across equine breeds (including Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Standardbreds, and Quarter Horses).
Age
- Foals sometimes experiment with rotary sequences in play, since they try out a variety of limb coordination patterns before settling into the adult repertoire.
- Adults overwhelmingly use transverse gallop, unless pushed into unusual conditions (fatigue, uneven terrain, or sprinting).
Gender (Sex)
- No evidence that mares, geldings, or stallions differ in gait type. The mechanics are biomechanical, not gender-related.
References
- Bertram JEA, Gutmann A. Motions of the running horse and cheetah revisited: fundamental mechanics of the transverse and rotary gallop. J R Soc Interface. 2008;6(35):549-559. doi:10.1098/rsif.2008.0328.
- Yamada T, Aoi S, Adachi M, Kamimura T, Higurashi Y, Wada N, Tsuchiya K, Matsuno F. Center of mass offset enhances the selection of transverse gallop in high-speed running by horses: a modeling study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2022;10:825157. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2022.825157.
- Parra EA, García-Díaz V, Díaz-Rodríguez M, Quintero JE. Comparison of leg dynamic models for quadrupedal running: MMS vs. SLIP. Sci Rep. 2022;12:14579. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-18536-7.
- Barrey E. Methods, applications and limitations of gait analysis in horses. Vet J. 1999;157(1):7-22. doi:10.1053/tvjl.1998.0301.
