Canter-a canter is a three-beat gait. first is one hind leg, then the opposite hind with the diagonal fore, then the opposite fore, the leading limb. the canter done in a circle, i.e. a riding ring, is described by the lead, that is, which is the foreleg that ends (or begins!) the gait. a proper lead when in a circle is the inside lead. a gallop differs from a canter not just because it is faster, but because at one point, all four legs are off the ground. at a canter, at least one leg is always on the ground. from: https://wiki.answers.com/q/what_is_the_sequence_in_canter