The gallop is, in all likelihood, the most exciting of a horse's four basic gaits, but it is also one of the most difficult to control. Finding balance on a galloping horse is difficult, especially in the moment of suspension, in which all four legs are off the ground. Follow the advice in this article, and the next time you ride a horse at a gallop, you will be able to maintain perfect balance.
Steps
Step 1. Practice the small canter
You must learn to control the horse and feel confident by going to a small gallop before attempting the actual gallop.
Step 2. Practice getting up in the stirrups at a trot or small canter
Learn to ride in the two-point stance. Lean forward and grab the horse's mane (which will help you maintain balance without using the reins). Keep the sacrum facing the saddle, the abdominal muscles taut so that the lower back is facing down and therefore that the back is straight and not arched, and push the weight towards the pelvis and not towards the shoulders. The jockey in the image holds his weight on his shoulders and is therefore not very stable at the top. The latter, including the head, must remain still while the arms and legs absorb the movement of the horse. If you assume the correct stance and the horse stumbles, you will automatically sit and sink into the saddle, instead of being thrown forward towards the horse's neck.
Step 3. Adjust the stirrup (assuming you're not riding without it)
You will need to be able to lift yourself into the stirrup, leaving the saddle free. It might not be intuitive, but a shorter stirrup may make you sit in a more secure position, as they encourage your heels to drop.
Step 4. Ride in stride or trot for at least 10 minutes before allowing the horse to gallop
This will allow him to warm up. You will also practice the horse's personality and signals.
Step 5. Slowly increase your speed (instead of forcing the horse to immediately go into a gallop)
In this way you will be able to adjust progressively, until you reach the best position.
Step 6. Lift up into the bracket
Switch to the "two-point" position.
Step 7. Go into a relaxed gallop
Find a suitable sized hill (it is easier to gallop uphill, as it is more difficult for the horse to slide) and have the horse go at a short canter to two-point position. Once you have achieved stability, make it accelerate and go into full gallop.
Advice
- Wear all the safety equipment you have at hand. Helmet and pads could save your life if you lose your balance and fall off the saddle.
- Check that the area where you intend to ride does not contain anything dangerous, since it can sometimes be difficult to stop a galloping horse, especially if the animal is not particularly trained. Although most horses will stop on their own at the edge of a headland or other similar obstacle, it is best not to take the risk.
- Always try to ride in company. If anything happens to you while riding alone, it may take some time for someone to find you. While horses often bring the injured jockey back to rescue in movies, it doesn't happen as often in real life.
- Try to always ride the same horse as much as possible. By doing this you will get used to him and the way he behaves and the animal will also be more comfortable with you. At the same time, don't assume that all horses behave the same - if you've found perfect balance on one horse, don't think it will be as easy with one you don't know.
- Don't try to go straight into a gallop the first time you ride. Practice, as galloping can be difficult, especially if you don't have a lot of experience with these animals. The gallop is a very fast pace, which is why it can easily escape the jockey's control. Make sure you are able to stop the horse should it lose its head.
- When you gallop, the horse needs to trust you. If he doesn't trust you, he may feel uncomfortable and try to make you fall (but even if he doesn't know you enough). You need to make a good bond with the horse before you start riding, so that you already have a good jockey-animal relationship.
- Keep trying. If the canter is not as successful as you would have expected, don't be discouraged. A perfect canter requires balance and practice - not to say patience.
- As already mentioned, it goes into a relaxed gallop. This way you will know your limits. A horse may be able to gallop for a long time, but you also need to be sure that you are prepared. Don't forget that it's not just the horse that gets tired, but the jockey too. Pushing yourself to the limit is as dangerous for you as it is for the horse. You could easily lose control. So make sure you know your limits: this way the fun of galloping in the fields won't turn into a catastrophe. Remember to have fun! The key to gallop is to become one with the horse.
- Contrary to what was stated above, on some occasions it is better not to always use the same horse. For a novice jockey it is advantageous to always stay with the same horse, docile and well trained, until he has had enough experience; At this point, however, it is advisable to switch to more difficult horses, in order to learn to control different types of animals thus becoming a better jockey. Trying out different and increasingly difficult horses is the most effective training to become a jockey able to control different situations. This will make it easier for you to give commands to the horse.
Warnings
- Running uphill is difficult and tiring for the horse, so don't expect prolonged resistance! Know when the horse is getting tired.
- Remember to show the horse that you respect him. They are much stronger than you.
- Never be afraid of the horse. He can feel your fear and it could make him nervous.
- Never try to sit in the saddle by leaning forward and grabbing the horse's neck. You could fall in front of the animal and end up crushed. If your safety straps are tight, you can also hold onto the pommel without the saddle slipping, but never let go of the reins, as they are used to keep the horse's shoulders in check. In that case, even if the horse falls, you will not slip out of the saddle.
- Be very careful around horses. Christopher Reeve fell and was paralyzed all his life: it is a sport in which even the best are in danger of being seriously injured.
