Getting a Horse To Gallop

The History Of Riding Horses

Horse Riding has been around for centuries. It is a way of transportation, recreation, and also is used in sports all around the world. Indians used horses in wars, and used them to get to places faster. Many people have horses, and many ride them. It takes a lot of practice to et used to ballancing on a horse because of the pattern of their walk is unsteady. Yet, anyone can ride a horse if they have enough patience and passion to ride.

Breaking Into A Trot

Trotting is the second gait of speed on a horse. It is like a jog, it's very jumpy, hoppy, and bouncy. You must have balance down pat to break into a trot. First, make sure the saddle is tight, and won't slip. Second, Make sure you have a helmet if you are a beginner, and wear a sturdy shoe with about a half to 1 inch heel so your foot dosn't slip through the stirrup and get stuck. Always keep just the toe of your shoe in the stirrup, no your whole foot. Also, gloves are a good idea to keep your hands from getting blister/rope burns. Third, begin walking and easily give a small kick behind the horses ribs. Always make sure your body is following the horses rythem so you don't get in your horses way. Next, if you have a small switch( a twig will work fine), tap your horse easily on it's rump once, then advance to twice, and gradually increase taps each time until you begin accelerating. USe a clicking sound with your mouth everytime you tap, and that will be your horses cue to increase speed so in time, you won't need a switch, because your horse will be trained to the clicking sound. After a continuous pattern of tapping, your horse will break into a trot. stay in the trot and proceed to the Gallop.

Breaking into a Gallop(Canter)

Breaking into a gallop is quite harder than breaking into a trot, because it is faster and somewhat more dangerous. Galloping is also known as cantering or sprinting. It is very exciting and has a lot of adrennelin. First, never start of in a Gallop. Always start from a walk, then trot, then gallop. If you try to start with a gallop, your horse may get spooked and bolt. Bolting is when a horse reers up, then runs low to the ground kicking unexpectedly and what not. Here is a link to a video of a horse bolting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MucGSpHS9jU

As, you saw in the video, bolting is unexpected and deadly. If a horse ever bolts on you, if you can, grab a rein and pull it AS HARD AS YOU CAN to make the horse bein a tight turn, becase horses cannot bolt in a circle. First, when you get into a trot, simply switch faster and harder, squeeze your legs hard, and click your mouth, it may take a while, but be patient! Your horse may not be ready, and it will go when it is. If the horse acts subborn, snorts, or pulls it's ears back slow down! It will get angry and impatient and may bolt, buck, or rear. Never get off a horse after it is stubborn, just take it easy and slow back to a walk or trot, because if you get off the horse will think that if it acts like that, it will get it's way. Show them who's boss. NEVER let a horse get it's way. When you gallop don't just set like you do in a walk, you have to  slightly stand in your saddle, and move with the horse. Here's a link to how to sit in a saddle and move in your saddle when riding different gaits:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM3512zY5Yg 

Have Fun Galloping!