The gallop is a four beat gait. It follows the same pattern as the canter, but the paired limbs do not hit the ground together. The hind limb lands slightly before the paired forelimb, making a four-beat gait. In the gallop and the canter, the horse can change which foreleg is leading.

Galloping is the most natural gait that horses choose when they need to quickly get from one place to another - especially if they are fleeing from something they perceive as frightening. It is the fastest gait, but the most strenuous as well. The action of the legs are basically a series of uninterrupted jumps coming from the action of the hind legs, transferred through the back, to the front that is then lifted. At this point the hind legs, which are strongly underneath the horse, throw the entire body forward with immense muscular effort - the prepared front legs catch it and support it. The legs move laterally at this gait, thus the action is even-sided - meaning the diagonal legs land simultaneously. Impulsion is what propels the horse forward - it is created from the power from the hind legs of the horse.

The movement of the front legs goes right hind, then right front at the same time as left hind, then left front. After this, there is a pause known as the "moment of suspension", when the body is moving forward without any of the feet touching the ground. That's why you hear three hoof beats, then a pause, at this gait.

(3)      (2) (2)      (1) The numeric sequence  in the gallop (left lead)

Click "Stop" in your browser if the movement bothers you. (right lead)

Cross cantering, or cross galloping, is usually caused by pain or injury, or the horse's off-balance attempt to change direction during the gallop. The horse changes leads in the front, while the hind remains galloping incorrectly. The movement is then deemed "broken", as the inner right hind leg lands at the same time does the front leg of the same side. The tendons are much more easily stressed in a cross gallop.

Unlike popular belief, a collected gallop is not a four-beat gait - in its correct form, it is merely uplifting, cadenced, rhythmical, and full of impulsion. It is a beautiful thing when executed right. However, when impulsion is lost, the outer diagonal legs no longer work at the same time, and a four beat gallop develops.

The Gallop is an advanced gait that you'll learn after mastering the walk, trot, and slow canter or lope. Despite the increased speed, the gallop is a rocking gait and not very rough.

First, you're going to give the horse a little bit more slack in the reins, so he has the freedom to stretch his head and neck out more. When you're ready, give the horse a signal to gallop - usually this comes in the form of a squeeze with your heel (without letting your heel come up out of position), a voice command, or a click of the tongue out of the corner of the mouth. More advanced riders will be able to signal the horse by squeezing the thighs, as combined with a forward shift in weight and seat.

Many horses will trot at this point - you need to differentiate between the trot and gallop signals, until your horse will gallop or canter right as soon as you ask, without any transitional trot steps in-between. For now, continue your signals until your horse gallops. The more you practice, the less time it will take in-between gaits. Maintain contact with the saddle through your seat - otherwise you'll be flying up out of the saddle with each step the horse takes. Keep your elbows and knees in, and manage carefully the movements of your body. This is difficult for beginners, but the key is to keep your seat in rhythm with the horse's gait.

Make sure you don't pull on the horse's reins to maintain your balance - if you do, you'll be pulling on the bit in the horse's mouth. Keep some slack in the reins so the horse can move its head in time with the gallop's three-beat gait.

Back to the Horse Care page