How to explain a gallop

Hi!

I'm from Austria, thus German.
I'm preparing for a presentation on western riding in English at the moment.
Unfortunately it's a bit too difficult for me to define the gallop best.

Would you have any suggestions for me? How to describe the gallop in english (left hand, right hand) ?

It would be a great help for me!

Thanks,

Carina

its the fastest pace.
it has 4 beats.
there is a moment when all 4 legs of the horse are off the ground.

i can't think of anything else to say at the moment but il think about it and get back to you!
good luck in your presentation

Flying without wings...Lol!

@ xLaurenOscarx

Hey, thanks for your reply. To prepare for the presentation is by far tougher than I thought

Do you think, this would be a good definition? I'm not that sure. For me it sounds a bit wrong. Could you take a short look at it? That would be really nice

"A gallop can be performed in two different ways: either on the left hand or on the right hand. Generally both vary in the position of the horse’s legs while galloping. In case of a left foreleg being the most extended, thus leading, it is usually referred to as a left gallop. The same applies to the right gallop, albeit with the right foreleg. "

Carina

Yeah Add A Bit More In Though

Thx
Actually it's more about flying changes but I suppose my teacher doesn't know much about a gallop. That'S why

You could use this same description to explain the canter/lope. You may want to include the points that Lauren made (4 beats, fastest pace, moment of suspension) to differentiate it from the canter/lope.

I never really realized that the gallop was performed on the left/right lead (and had possible flying changes). Do race horses always gallop on their left lead? You'd think they'd build off-balance muscles that way!

Thanks for your advice.

No, that's not the point. What I meant was that there's the left lead and the right lead. My teacher is not a riding expert.

Hm, yeah, you're right. I could change it into the lope. Maybe this would be better.

Nope, race horses usually run on the left lead during the turns and the right lead on the stretches (straight parts). If a horse stays in one lead for too long, then their muscles that they use to extend the lead leg get tired and their pace slows.

Agreed!