Understanding Crossfiring: the most misunderstood gait fault.

Crossfiring is a specific gait fault that is often misunderstood. Many horse owners and trainers mistakenly label gait irregularities as "crossfiring", leading to confusion and sometimes incorrect training approaches. This post will clarify what crossfiring really is, explain which limbs are involved, and highlight why it only happens in certain gaits. Understanding this will help you better recognize gait faults and improve your horse’s performance and comfort. You will find that unless you own a harness or gaited horse, your horse is not actually crossfiring.

What Is Crossfiring?

Crossfiring is a gait fault where the medial (inside) toe of a hind foot strikes the medial hoof wall or lower leg of the opposite front limb. This contact happens while the limbs are in flight, meaning both legs are off the ground. The key detail is that the hind foot crosses over toward the diagonal front limb, causing interference. Need a refresher on gait faults? Read our in-depth guide, and download our Gait Faults Flashcards.

This fault is most commonly seen in harness horses moving at a gait called the "pace". The pace is a lateral gait where the front and hind limbs on the same side move forward together in unison. This lateral movement pattern allows the hind foot to swing close enough to the opposite front limb to cause crossfiring.

The horse above is pacing: notice how the front and hind limbs on the same side of the body are moving in unison.

Which Limbs Are Involved?

• The inside toe of the hind foot (for example, the left hind foot)

• The medial hoof wall or lower leg of the opposite diagonal front limb (in this case, the right front leg)

  
  

The contact occurs mid-air, not when the limbs are on the ground. This is an important distinction because it shows the limbs are moving in a way that allows crossing paths, which only happens in certain gaits.

Why Crossfiring Only Happens in Lateral Gaits

Crossfiring cannot occur unless the horse is moving in a lateral gait. In a lateral gait, the front and hind limbs on the same side move forward together. This contrasts with diagonal gaits like the trot, where the front and opposite hind limb move together.

Because the limbs on the same side move in unison during a lateral gait, the hind foot swings close to the opposite front limb, creating the opportunity for the inside toe of the hind foot to strike the opposite front leg. This is why crossfiring is almost exclusively seen in horses pacing, especially harness horses trained for speed and efficiency in this gait.

If a horse is moving in a diagonal gait, such as a trot or canter, the limbs do not move in a way that allows the hind foot to cross over and hit the opposite front leg. Therefore, horses that are cross-cantering or counter-cantering cannot be crossfiring because their limb movement patterns do not permit this type of interference.

This horse is trotting, not pacing. Notice how the front and hind limbs on the same side of the body are moving in opposite directions. If the front and hind foot on the same side of the body were to strike one another, it would be called "scalping", not crossfiring.

Common Misunderstandings About Crossfiring

Many horse owners and trainers confuse crossfiring with other gait faults, especially when they see limb interference during diagonal gaits. For example, a horse that is cross-cantering or counter-cantering may appear to have limb collisions, but this is not crossfiring.

Why the Confusion Happens

• Mislabeling diagonal gait faults as crossfiring: Since crossfiring involves limb interference, any visible leg contact can be mistakenly called crossfiring.

• Lack of understanding of gait mechanics: Without knowing that crossfiring only happens in lateral gaits, observers assume any limb contact during movement is crossfiring.

• Visual similarity: Limb collisions in other gait faults can look similar to crossfiring, especially at speed or from certain angles.

The Impact of Mislabeling

Incorrectly identifying crossfiring can lead to:

• Inappropriate training methods that do not address the real issue.

• Unnecessary concern about the horse’s gait.

• Overlooking the actual cause of the gait fault, such as poor balance, incorrect riding, improper hoofcare, etc.

  
  

  

  
  

How to Recognize True Crossfiring

To correctly identify crossfiring, watch for these signs:

• The horse is moving in a lateral gait, such as the pace.

• The inside toe of the hind foot strikes the medial side of the opposite front leg.

• Contact happens while the limbs are in flight, not when they are on the ground.

• The interference occurs consistently on the same side during movement.

  
  

If these conditions are not met, the gait fault is likely something other than crossfiring.

Why Crossfiring Is Common in Harness Horses

Harness horses are often trained and bred to move at the pace because it allows for speed and smoothness while pulling a vehicle. The pace is a lateral gait, which naturally creates the conditions for crossfiring.

Several factors increase the risk of crossfiring in harness horses:

• Conformation: Horses with narrow chests or close-set legs have less clearance between limbs.

• Speed: Faster pacing increases the chance of limb interference.

• Training and conditioning: Poor muscle control or fatigue can cause the horse to lose proper limb placement.

• Shoeing: Improper shoeing can alter limb movement and increase the risk of crossfiring.

  
  

Addressing these factors can help reduce or eliminate crossfiring.

Practical Tips to Manage and Prevent Crossfiring

If your harness horse shows signs of crossfiring, consider these steps:

• Evaluate the gait: Confirm the horse is indeed moving in a lateral gait and that the interference matches crossfiring.

• Check conformation: Assess if the horse’s build predisposes it to crossfiring.

• Improve conditioning: Strengthen the horse’s muscles to improve limb control and coordination.

• Adjust shoeing: Work with a farrier to ensure shoes support proper limb movement and clearance. Additional weight and traction devices may be used to encourage the limbs to "spread" apart during flight.

• Use protective boots: Consider boots designed to protect the medial side of the legs from injury caused by crossfiring.

  
  

Differentiating Crossfiring from Other Gait Faults

Understanding the difference between crossfiring and other gait faults is crucial for effective training and care.

Gait Comparison Chart

Feature	Crossfiring	Cross-Cantering (Disunited Canter)	Counter-Cantering
Type of Issue	Gait fault (interference)	Gait fault (coordination issue)	Intentional, trained movement
Gait Involved	Primarily the pace (lateral gait)	Canter	Canter
What Happens	Hind foot strikes the inside of the opposite front limb during flight phase	Horse canters on different leads in front and behind	Horse deliberately canters on the “outside” lead
Limb Pattern	Lateral movement (same-side legs move together)	Mismatch: e.g., left lead in front, right lead behind	Unified but “incorrect” lead for direction
Cause	Hind limb crossing toward diagonal front limb due to lateral gait mechanics	Poor balance, weakness, lack of training, or discomfort	Rider asks for and maintains it for training purposes
When It Occurs	Almost exclusively in harness or gaited horses at the pace	Common in unbalanced or young horses	Used in dressage and training exercises
Soundness Concern	Yes – can cause injury due to interference	Yes – indicates imbalance or possible physical issue	No – considered a correct and advanced movement
Common Misconception	Often incorrectly used to describe any gait irregularity	Sometimes confused with counter-canter	Often mistaken for a mistake rather than a skill
Key Identifier	Physical contact between hind and opposite front limb	Front and hind ends on different leads	Horse maintains balance on the outside lead intentionally

Final Thoughts on Crossfiring and Gait Faults

Crossfiring is a specific gait fault that only happens when a horse moves in a lateral gait like the pace. It involves the inside toe of a hind foot striking the opposite front leg while the limbs are in flight. This fault is most common in harness horses due to their gait style and speed.

Misunderstanding crossfiring leads to confusion and incorrect labeling of other gait faults, such as cross-cantering or counter-cantering. Knowing the mechanics behind crossfiring helps horse owners and trainers correctly identify the issue and apply the right solutions.

If you suspect your horse is crossfiring, observe the gait carefully, consider conformation and training factors, and consult with professionals like trainers and farriers. Proper management can reduce the risk of injury and improve your horse’s comfort and performance.