Instructions
Mount the tacked-up horse in an area suitable for galloping. Many riding arenas will be too small for the average horse because of the corners. Corners require a galloping horse to slow down in order to negotiate them safely. Continuous collecting and lengthening of the stride can interrupt the flow of the gallop and make it more difficult for the horse, which can lead to frustration and bad behavior. Find an area that will require fewer turns, such as a large open field, a race track, or a long stretch of dirt road.
Walk, trot and canter the horse for 15 to 20 minutes until it is sufficiently warmed up. This will wake the horse up, warm up the muscles and help focus the horse's mind so that injuries are less likely to occur to both horse and rider. A cold-backed horse will be much more likely to attempt to buck its rider off than one that has been properly warmed up first.
Pick up a canter. Gradually ask the horse to extend its stride. Suddenly kicking the horse with spurs or smacking it with a crop may cause the horse to spook and jump sideways and throw the rider off. It may also irritate the horse and cause it to intentionally throw the rider by bucking or coming to a sudden halt. Keep gently asking the horse to move out with the leg and voice aids. Cluck to or make kissing noises to urge the horse on.
Go into the two-point position as the horse begins to pick up the gallop. When the rider is balanced in the two-point position, the buttocks will not hit the horse in the back repeatedly, which can cause pain and bad behavior. Two-point should always be used when galloping because it allows the horse to move freely underneath the rider. In two-point, it is imperative that the rider does not hold himself off the saddle using the reins. If the rider pulls on the horse's mouth in an attempt to balance himself on the fast-moving horse, the rider will cause the horse pain and either slow the horse down or cause it to become frustrated and try to throw the rider.
How to Get a Stubborn Horse to Gallop Without Trying to Throw You
A gallop is the fastest of the four primary horse gaits. While it resembles the canter, the gallop is faster, with a lengthened stride, and it has four beats instead of three. If a horse is reluctant to gallop, it may not be in good condition, and this should be addressed prior to asking the horse to pick up the gait again. A stubborn horse will be less likely to throw the rider if the experience is made as easy as possible for it.