In the Indian shuffle, each foot hits the ground independently. The timing is not even, making it a broken four beat gait... 1-2--3-4, 1-2--3-4. This is because the time between hoof beats on the same side is shorter than the time between the next hoof beat coming on the opposite side.

The mechanics of the Indian Shuffle can be described as follows:

• The right legs are on the ground and move back together.
• The left legs are off the ground and move forward, with the rear leg just slightly ahead of the front.
• As the left legs move forward, the right legs move back to the full extent of the stride.
• The left rear leg strikes the ground just before the left front.
• The right rear leg and then the right front leg leave the ground beginning the next sequence.

The Indian Shuffle is a lateral gait, since the legs on each side of the horse lift and move together. The trot on the other hand, is a diagonal gait, since the legs on opposite sides lift and move together. The trot is also a two beat gait, because each leg in a diagonal pair hits the ground at the same time... 1-2, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2.

Some may say the Indian Shuffle resembles the Pace, which is also a lateral gait. But the Pace is a two beat gait, not the broken four beat gait of the true Shuffle.

The Indian Shuffle was common in the Nez Perce Appaloosas, but it is very rare today. This is partly due to crossbreeding and to some degree because it is not favored in the show ring.