Other Definitions
palfrey (dict)
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PalfreyA Palfrey is a type of horse, not a breed of horse. The significant characteristic is that a palfrey has a smooth gait instead of a trot. The smooth gait is achieved by walking with a 4 step rhythm: left hind, left front, right hind, right front. In this sequence there is a moment when the horse has only 1 foot on the ground - Sometimes this type of horse is referred to as a Single footer. Such a gait can be maintained for long distances and at considerable speed. Palfreys are now rare in Europe. They were effecively replaced by trotting horses when travel by carriage became more common, several hundred years ago, and trotting horse breeds were generally larger and stronger. One such breed is the Peruvian Paso.
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