Can someone explain the difference between a singlefooting horse and a racking horse?

Question

Can someone explain the difference between a singlefooting horse and a racking horse?

Answer 1

I have a Morgan that is gaited, singlefooting. Here are 2 things to read, if like.

http://www.thegaitedhorse.com/gaitedmorg...

http://www.thegaitedhorse.com/nasf.htm

Answer 2

I showed American Saddlebreds for 11 yrs for my Grandfather.  It is the 'same gait' as far as they are only on One foot at a time.  Always have one foot on the ground or close to.  He had several brood mares that would pace but if you pushed them a little, collected their heads up and in, sat back in the saddle you can send them right into a singlefoot/rack.  However, because they had not been weighted or shackled it was not a 'high action' gait for them.

But Rack usually indicates style, high action and more speed and of course, rack on is what Amer Saddlebred enthusiasts live for - the flash, high action and speed!!

There are the five gaits - and only 5 gaited American Saddlebreds rack/singlefoot.  Walk, trot, canter, slow rack and rack on.  The 5 gaited horses usually are strong, good boned individuals - a lot of times they are stallions and gelding rather than mares.  3 gaited horses are usually more refined but still have the high action in the trot and canter.  (They have been weighted and shackled.)  5 gaited are shown with full mane (some braiding)  and tail and quite often a fake tail.  3 gaited have the broken tails also but are plucked over the top and sides etc.  So there are quite a bit of difference in appearance.

Pacing though is when both feet on the same side move together and it is a rocking back forth gait for the rider.  Singlefoot or rack is a steady forward motion that is very smooth.  

Hope this helped.