How to Ride a Horse at a Gallop

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Get your fully tacked horse warmed up using a lunge line.

   A gentle horse is best, but make sure that your horse is in good shape to gallop.
   
   If you don't know how to tell if your horse is ready, ask your local vet.
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   Step 2: Mount your horse

   If your horse is not listening to you at each pace, stop your horse, and realize that you should not do a gallop this time, it's too dangerous. ,, Your body should be slightly leaned forward, just enough so that the wind does not hold you back. ,,, Many say that they enjoy it more than any other pace.
   
   At first it may be a little frightening, but after awhile you'll get the hang of it! , Do not expect a horse to go straight from a gallop to a walk, go down through each pace, from the gallop, to the canter/lope, to the trot, to the walk. , A gallop is a lot of work for horses, and though they like it, and will probably want to keep that pace, it is not good for them to gallop too much.
   
   To check for how 'hot' your horse is, stop your horse, dismount, and feel it's chest.
   
   It should be warm, but not hot.
   
   If it's still hot, then you need to cool your horse down more.
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   Step 3: and bring it through every pace

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   Step 4: starting with the walk

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   Step 5: and lope/canter for a good amount of time.

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   Step 6: Push your horse into the gallop the same way you would at the lope/canter.

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   Step 7: Make sure that you are not leaning too far back.

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   Step 8: Cut corners a little more than usual

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   Step 9: and keep a nice distance from the rail (if you're on a track)

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    Step 10: so you won't be accidentally rammed into it.

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    Step 11: Position your legs so that they do not dig into the horse's sides.

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    Step 12: Enjoy the pace!

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    Step 13: Slow your horse down slowly.

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    Step 14: Thoroughly cool down your horse!

Detailed Guide

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