When is it best to learn to Gallop?

joosie said:
I agree with Joyscarer. When you're balanced and confident in the forward seat in canter, galloping isn't much different, just faster and (in my opinion anyway!) more comfortable. I learned to ride hacking, and I had my first gallop (accidentally!) on my first hack - terrifying of course, but I stayed on, and after that I had more confidence when learning to canter properly. I certainly don't think being able to jump has anything to do with it. I also agree with Wally - the only way to learn is to do it!
However, for a first gallop I don't think going in a group is a good idea, it's when horses are in company that a novice rider is likely to have more trouble with control. As for doing it at a riding school - a horse that is sensible to canter on a hack, and has good breaks, should not be any different when urged into a gallop. I would recommend going with an instructor you know and trust, and who knows you.
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I don't think u learn to gallop u just hang on then progressivlyadaptt
 
I've never been taught to gallop, it was just a natural progression from cantering on hacks. I don't do it very often though, I do feel you are more likely to lost control when the horse is going that fast.
 
dont think ive ever been taught to gallop, just did it as a kid, used to ride RS horses out with my mate and used to gallop all over the place. (well i think it was galloping) and then i bought jasper :D First time i galloped that horse it was like nothing i had ever known - the speed was incredible i was squealing and laughing at the same time, i was so happy and scared at the same time, he looked after me 100%. I think you know when your not in canter any more coz you cant sit to it, my backside automatically raises from the saddle and its comfy aswell;) i remember being so happy i cried, :o he went like a rocket down the beach, fantastic, i still let him go from time to time and tbh he's more sure footed in gallop then in any other gait:confused::p
 
I learnt to gallop really quickly.....was walking round a field with a friend, we went into a little trot and horse took off. Went straight into a canter then gallop. I really had no choice then but to HOLD ON and occationaly wipe the water away from my eyes so i could see. Was funny and a great way to get over the thought of galloping !!
 
*Sez* said:
TBH, Some people seem to be big believers in "having a blast" on a hack, but my horse is turned out 24/7 all year round, so he has plenty of time to do that without me!

I think the trouble is that some riders let the horse completely take charge of the gallop, which can lead to dodgy steering and a sudden unexpected return to trot which is when most of the people I know have come off over the horse's shoulder.
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Totally agree with Sez - all this talk about 'learning to gallop' has me bemused. I've never understood what it is with novice riders who insist on doing more than they're capable of - and what's the big deal about galloping anyway?! If I were back at that stage, I'd be more concerned with learning the basics such as walk, trot and canter properly and developing a good seat and good hands which are pleasant for your horse, before I went tanking off around a field. When you're ready to gallop - or when you need to gallop - you'll gallop and I'm sure it'll be fun for you - but in the meantime, chill out! It's just a faster pace, not some mystical thing that will somehow make you a fabulous rider...
 
charismabird said:
Totally agree with Sez - all this talk about 'learning to gallop' has me bemused. I've never understood what it is with novice riders who insist on doing more than they're capable of - and what's the big deal about galloping anyway?! When you're ready to gallop - or when you need to gallop - you'll gallop and I'm sure it'll be fun for you - but in the meantime, chill out! It's just a faster pace, not some mystical thing that will somehow make you a fabulous rider...
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Ok get down off your soap box. What is it with 'experienced riders' who seem to think they know everything and we know nothing. Think someone got out of the wrong side of bed this morning! :rolleyes:
 
tbh they have a point, riding isnt about learning set things in set orders in a certain timescale.

go with the flow and have fun, you will gallop when you are ready (and when the horse wants to).
it doesnt move you up into the next class if you do it, its like saying you jumped 4 foot so you can go in the advanced class- even if you got over it it doesnt make you automatically a good rider :).

no such thing as a certain number or thing that makes you a good rider, just time and patience and been able to deal with more and more different situations.
 
Aw, galloping is amazing - I was very much a novice when I first galloped! Didn't really have a choice! :p BUT I wouldn't have turned down the oppurtunity.;)

Wait till you've been riding a bit longer and I'm sure they will let you.:)
 
Well, my first gallop was on Gitcha I believe, was cantering along in a huge open (gulp) field, my sister was watching me for the first time, I probably had owned him a month, squeezed him up a notch.... BAD idea. 15hh barrel horses + novice rider used to slow horses.... not a good idea. He sure went into a gallop, hell I think we could have won a race..... needless to say he dropped his shoulder, dumped me and ran on home. :D

Second gallop, rode Gitcha in a field, cantering through an orchard, he spooked at a sprinkler, bolted 15 feet, I stayed on weehooo go me.....

Third gallop, Pete the runaway. I was quite pleased I stayed on seein as I was in total confidence wreck and was just trotting along around a barrel when he decided to leg it and not stop. reached the end of the arena he went one way I went the other.

Okay, you get the idea. Anyhow, it depends entirely on the rider, and it helps to have a nice steady reliable horse. I know some seven year olds that run/gallop flat out around barrels who have only been riding a few months. Then there are people that have been riding years and never have. I find that in western riding gallop is never treated like a big deal, after all MOST events require you to gallop, and many western riders are galloping within weeks of lessons. While it seems in english riding it is taken as a HUGE deal, and RI's make sure you are really prepared for it.

I don't know confusing matter and depends on loads of things.
 
*Sez* said:
Some people seem to be big believers in "having a blast" on a hack, but my horse is turned out 24/7 all year round, so he has plenty of time to do that without me!

I think the trouble is that some riders let the horse completely take charge of the gallop, which can lead to dodgy steering and a sudden unexpected return to trot which is when most of the people I know have come off over the horse's shoulder.
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Could'nt disagree more - my horse is also on 24/7 turn out, but doesnt do anything other than eat, never once see him go any faster than a trot round his field. He enjoys a really good gallop, has never gone back to trot suddendly and me fell off. We have a beach near by and what better scenary and ground to have a gallop on ? he absolutely loves 'having a blast', he is easy to pull up or kick on. Galloping is part of having a horse for me, weather it be through the fields with a mate racing or on the beach with the wind in your face.

its interesting listening to peoples opinions about galloping :o i think alot of people are very nervous of galloping ???
 
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Well I asked to learn 2 point in canter so that when I went up to Cumbria to ride the Clydesdales on the beach I could cope if they went into gallop.

As it happened we didn't gallop on the beach - it happened in a field the previous day - the canter just suddenly accelerated and flattened, I was sitting easily to the canter and stayed sitting for the gallop, it was so smooth.

There really isn't that much difference between canter and gallop and if you are secure at canter, you shouldn't have any problems at gallop. Just keep breathing and don't tense up!
 
I dont think you need jumping experience to gallop. You need to be confident in canter and able to work in the forward seat. You need to have control of pace, direction and speed in walk, trot and canter. Once you can do this i see no reason why you cannot go for a good gallop :)
 
I agree with the first RI that you should probably jump soon but it depends because some people never learn to jump but perfect flat work. She should definately not gallop yet if she styill hold the mane at the canter. I have galloped once and I only stayed on becasue I have a good seat at the canter. That however was not planned at all. :D Jumping helps your seat because you become more aware of it and how it affects things
 
when you have an established seat, and can ride well in the other three paces, then when your ready and feel up to it :)
ETA-i am another who was never taught to gallop, just found out lol
 
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I would have thought that your canter work would need to be well established before attempting to gallop, the jumping i'm not sure about but i suppose it can only help!

The first ever gallop i went on was before i had jumped although we had been working a lot on our position. The most important part was that i felt ready and my RI thought i was ready and i was on a pony i trusted! It was great although wee william nearly went crashing into a tree when we tried to stop!

The best gallop i've been on was on holiday in spain - amazing fun, has me smiling just at the thought of it!!! :D

Good luck!

Debbie x
 
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