How to Safely and Confidently Master the Gallop
I’ve lived most of my life at the gallop—the important parts, anyway. My earliest memories are of horses, and speed is the constant thread through them. While I appreciate the walk for muscle, the trot for balance, and even the canter for conditioning, nothing compares to the unique harmony of the gallop.
Quick takeaways
- More than a century after Eadweard Muybridge’s photographs proved the period of flight in the gallop, the London Royal Veterinary College conducted studies to determine the most efficient riding position. These scientific findings have given us a clearer understanding of both equine biomechanics and the rider’s role in maintaining harmony at high speeds.
- By aligning yourself with these proven positions, you reduce strain on both horse and rider, making the experience safer and more sustainable.
- If you’ve never ridden the gallop, do not borrow a friend’s four-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred and "take it for a little gallop. " Doing so creates a dangerous experience that could result in injury or trauma. If you survive getting run away with, you may never want to ride outside an arena again.
How To Canter On A Horse Without Fear
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The Science of the Gallop
More than a century after Eadweard Muybridge’s photographs proved the period of flight in the gallop, the London Royal Veterinary College conducted studies to determine the most efficient riding position. These scientific findings have given us a clearer understanding of both equine biomechanics and the rider’s role in maintaining harmony at high speeds.
By aligning yourself with these proven positions, you reduce strain on both horse and rider, making the experience safer and more sustainable.
Good horse photography almost always gets easier when the plan gets simpler.
Preparing for Speed: Mindset and Environment
If you’ve never ridden the gallop, do not borrow a friend’s four-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred and "take it for a little gallop. " Doing so creates a dangerous experience that could result in injury or trauma. If you survive getting run away with, you may never want to ride outside an arena again.
Find a suitable area with excellent footing, free of hazards like rocks or holes. The ground must be safe, as stepping in a hole at speed is one of the quickest ways to lame a sound horse. You will need room for wider turns as you increase speed over the coming weeks.
Mental and physical preparation is key. Shorten your stirrups to improve fitness; this will fatigue your thighs and lower back more quickly, forcing you to engage the correct muscles for the galloping position.
Training and Control Techniques
Set your stirrups to the shorter length and canter through a speed trap, timing each exercise. For example, 400 meters should take approximately one minute. You may need to train your horse to accelerate into this section rather than just cantering.
Your horse will likely anticipate the speed traps. Train him to wait for your cue before entering the faster section, staying mentally ahead of him as well as physically.
If your horse doesn’t respond to usual aids to slow down, shorten your reins slightly. Place your left hand all the way across the horse's neck in front of the withers, pressing down toward the right shoulder. Simultaneously, bring your right hand straight back toward your hip. As the horse slows, reward him with soft reins to reinforce the desired behavior.
The Experience of Freedom
I find a complete sense of freedom only when my horse and I are gone away, galloping toward some invisible horizon. Each time he floats through the air, I am briefly free from problems, critical coaches, unhappy people, flat tires, and the laws of gravity.
This article originally appeared in the January 2017 issue of Practical Horseman. For more insights, read Jim Wofford's articles on practical riding techniques.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest way to start learning the gallop?
Start with a calm, experienced horse in a controlled environment. Focus on establishing a secure, shorter stirrup length and practicing acceleration and deceleration at a canter before attempting full speed. Always prioritize mental preparation and clear communication with your horse.
Why is the galloping position different from the canter position?
The gallop involves a longer stride and a period of flight where all four hooves are off the ground. The position requires a deeper seat and more forward inclination to maintain balance and harmony with the horse’s extended movement, unlike the canter which has a three-beat rhythm and less suspension.
How do I stop a horse that is running away at speed?
Use a pulley rein technique if trained: shorten the left rein, press your left hand down toward the right shoulder, and pull back with the right hand. Reward immediately when the horse responds to soften the reins. Never yank sharply, as this can cause the horse to resist further.
