Translation guide
A canter is a controlled, three-beat gait of a horse, faster than a trot but slower than a gallop. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the loanword キャンター, but native terms exist for specific contexts.
The standard three-beat gait between trot and gallop.
The most common and direct translation, widely understood in equestrian contexts.
馬がキャンターで走っている。
The horse is running at a canter.
Native Japanese term for canter, used in horse riding and sometimes in general descriptions. Literally 'running walk'.
駈歩で馬場を一周する。
Go around the riding ground at a canter.
Specifically 'ordinary canter' in dressage or formal riding, distinguishing it from extended or collected canter.
普通駈歩から伸長駈歩に移行する。
Transition from ordinary canter to extended canter.
To ride or move at a canter.
Common way to say 'to canter' using the loanword plus the verb 'to run'.
馬をキャンターで走らせる。
Make the horse canter.
Using the native term as a suru-verb, common in equestrian instructions.
次の角まで駈歩してください。
Please canter to the next corner.
キャンター is the default in modern, casual, or international equestrian contexts. 駈歩 is preferred in traditional Japanese riding schools or when a native term is desired. Both are correct.