Very good work, I only wish to be half as good when doing 8-direction sprite/animating work.
I looked better and saw that it is not ambling, my bad. Actually the side view is quite close to the walk you wanted, but the 3/4 views are closer to ambling (the 2 legs of each side are almost synchronous).
It's a bit too fast for that walk, also the slight head movement in that ref you posted would help heaps.
looks really nice mann but the horse in fire looks liwe a dark vision, try doing something like this and it will be wayy better: http://sprites.technoized.com/images/sprite/ro/nightmare.png
Juniorps: Proper ambling is a bit too fast. I needed a slow walk, for a slow pace game.
I examined this reference before starting to work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0tLhzexhl8
The cycle of walking doesn't seem very well, looks like something out of normal for a horse, perhaps more quick or something else, I advise you take a look here:
• http://bbsimg.ngfiles.com/2/2903000/ngbbs411145b0f3d11.jpg
• http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9f_WZ9RPOmw/Sr6If31A7LI/AAAAAAAAAHo/oXPzJV-mZM0/s320/walkcycle_horse.jpg
I baffled by the quality of the fire animation.