hoofsteps

Equine walking sounds

Hoofsteps are the sounds or impressions made by hooved animals walking or running—the equine equivalent of footsteps.

The word appears in literary or whimsical contexts: She heard hoofsteps approaching on the cobblestones.

Like footsteps, hoofsteps can suggest both the physical marks left behind and the rhythmic sound of movement.

gait

trot

Pace between walk, canter

canterModerate equine gait
gallopSwiftest quadruped gait
walkTravel on foot

amble · pace · plod · prance · saunter · shuffle · trudge · lumber · footfall · rhythm

herd

stampede

Frenzied mass flight

thunderingProducing deep, loud sound
approachingComing toward something
rumblingLow rolling sound

dust · prairie · cattle · buffalo · bison · wildebeest · zebra · antelope · elk · deer

equine

horse

Domesticated riding animal

mareFemale adult equine
stallionIntact male breeding horse
foalYoung equine, under one

colt · filly · pony · mule · donkey · mustang · steed · mount · horseshoe · shod

sound

clip-clop

Rhythmic hoof sound

clatterLoud rattling noise
thunderStorm's acoustic aftermath
poundingForceful repeated striking

drumming · thudding · clopping · rumble · echo · reverberation · approach · retreat · distant · fading

Opposites

type of locomotion sound/mark

hoofstepsfootsteps

Sounds of walking

footfalls · pawsteps · bare feet · padded feet · pawprints

presence vs. absence of sound

hoofstepssilence

Total lack of sound

quiet · stillness · soundlessness · hush

Family

step, foot, stride, steps, hoof, hooves, cloven-hoofed, ungulates

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G