Laterality in stride pattern preferences in racehorses

During performance, racehorses gallop in an asymmetrical stride with either the left hindhoof striking the ground first (right lead stride pattern) or the right hindhoof striking the ground first (left lead stride pattern). In this study we examined racehorses for a stride pattern preference. Here, we showed that racehorses do have a preference for one stride pattern over the other. Across thoroughbreds, Arabians, and American Quarter horses 90% preferred their right lead stride pattern with 10% preferring the left. In a repeated studies test, a single racehorse consistently preferred one stride pattern over the other. We further showed that stride pattern preference is reflected in stride pattern usage during a 6-furlong morning workout. Horses will run in their preferred stride pattern unless forced to switch while turning, injured, or fatigued (at the end of the race). Finally, we showed that in a small sample, there were minor variations between the right and left lead stride patterns. Because running is intimately linked to respiration in performing racehorses, stride pattern preference might contribute to performance in racehorses.