Walk – A natural, flat-footed, 4-beat gait. Must be alert, with a stride of reasonable length in keeping with the size of the mule.
Extremely slow or jigging shall be penalized
Jog – (Western) – A smooth, ground-covering 2-beat diagonal gait. The mule works from a pair of diagonals to the other pair.
It should be square, balanced and with a straight, forward movement of the feet.
Mules walking with their back feet and jogging on the front are not considered performing the required gait and should be penalized.
When asked to extend the jog, he moves out with the same smooth way of going with a noticeable lengthening of stride.
Extreme speed to be penalized.
Lope – (Western) – An easy, rhythmical 3-beat gait.
Mules moving to the left shall be on the left lead, and when moving to the right, shall be on the right lead.
Mules traveling at a 4-beat gait, such as loping in front and jogging behind, shall be penalized.
Trot – (English) – Same as the jog, except with emphasis on long, low, ground covering, cadence, and balanced strides.
Smoothness more essential than speed. Extreme slowness shall be penalized.
When asked to extend, more credit will be given for a mule that noticeably lengthens its’ stride, over a mule that only speeds up.
Canter – (English) Smooth 3-beat gait, as in the lope, that is free moving, relaxed, and straight on both leads. The stride should be suitable to cover ground as if following hounds.
Over-collected, 4-beat canter and excessive speed are penalized.
Hand Gallop – (English) – Definite lengthening of stride and difference in speed. Under control and able to pull up at any time (no sliding stop).
Back up – Animal to move backward in a straight line, with a soft mouth and no resistance. Credit will be given to those that flex at the poll and give to the bit while backing readily with the least visible aids given.