Factors affecting horse speed
Anyone who has ever visited the hippodrome knows that the horse develops a fairly high speed. This indicator depends on many factors. Consider what determines the speed of a horse. We will also get acquainted with the statistics, find out the average and maximum speed indicators recorded to date.
Horse speed
Factors affecting speed
The horse's movement speed depends primarily on:
- the general condition of the horse;
- breeds;
- way of gait.
The health of racehorses is closely monitored by veterinarians. To achieve high results, the horse must be well fed and healthy.
Breed is one of the deciding factors. Each breed has its own limit, through which it is difficult to step over. For example, draft horses are able to pull a large load, but do not have speed qualities. Those breeds of horses that belong to the group of workers are distinguished by endurance, but they cannot develop high speed, even if they are trained. Race horses have speed qualities, but only run at maximum speed for a certain amount of time. To find out what speed a horse of a particular breed can develop, it is enough to study its main characteristics.
Also, the speed of the horse's movement depends on the way of running. Among all types of gaits, three can be distinguished, which are considered basic: stride, trot and gallop. When moving in stride, the horse moves slowly. When running at a trot, the horse shows average speed indicators, but the maximum speed of the horse is visible when moving at a gallop.
The horse's running speed varies depending on whether the horse is running with or without a rider. The speed of a racehorse with a rider also changes on the size of the jockey.
Indicators of speed for different types of gait
Consider how fast a horse develops when walking, running and galloping.
Speed indicators during stride
During the step, the horse moves slowly. The average performance of racehorses during stride is 5 km / h. If we talk about the minimum speed, then it is 3 km / h, while the maximum speed of the horse's movement does not exceed 7.5 km / h.
This gait is suitable for long walks. An animal can run at this pace for several hours in a row. The step is not tiresome for the horse. If the animal is carrying a heavy load, then the step is generally the only suitable type of gait.
Speed indicators while trotting
The average speed when moving at a trot is 12 km / h. It is considered large enough. This method of gait is more energy-consuming for the horse than the step. It is not worth expecting from a horse that he will run at such a pace for several hours in a row. Such loads lead to serious health problems. Alternatively, alternate trot with stride.
How long a horse can move at a speed of 12-13 km / h depends on the health of the animal and the degree of its training. If we talk about average indicators, then the horse runs at this pace for no more than 20 minutes. Longer trotting walks are harmful to health. After 20 minutes, the horse should be allowed to rest. It is not necessary to stop, it is enough to move the horse to a step. Within 10 minutes, the animal will recover, and it can again be transferred to a trot.
As for the carriage of goods, it is not worth loading the horse while trotting. If, moving at a speed of 12 km / h, the animal pulls a heavy load behind it, then it will quickly get tired. In order not to harm the horse, you can put a load on its back, the mass of which is no more than 8% of the animal's body weight.
Indicators of speed when moving at a gallop
The average speed of a horse with a rider while galloping is 40-50 km / h. This type of running is the most energy consuming. Accordingly, for a long time, the horse will not be able to move at such a speed. If we talk about wild horses, then they use gallop only in those situations that pose a threat to life. As a rule, the horse does not overcome more than 1 km at such a speed.
The horses that take part in the races train almost daily. Accordingly, they can gallop a little longer than wild horses. But as a rule, after 20 minutes of gallop, the average speed of the racehorses decreases and the horse moves to trot.
High-speed horse breeds
The fastest horses are the thoroughbred English horses. They most often take part in the races. This is not surprising when you consider that the breed was bred for sports. For many years, breeders have been improving the breed. The work was crowned with success. Only the fastest representatives of the breed were selected for crossing. It is the representative of the English horse who holds the world record at a distance of 400 m. During its overcoming, the horse developed a speed that was 69.69 km / h. This record was set back in 1945.
There are 2 more records held by the English Riding. The fastest horse in the world - Siglevi Slave I. The record was set at a distance of 800 m. Overcoming the distance, the average speed was 69.3 km / h. During Slave's fateful race, there was no jockey on his back.
John Henry set the record with a jockey on his back. At a distance of almost 2.5 km (1.5 miles), its average speed was 60.76 km / h.
The Arabian Thoroughbred also belongs to the high-speed breeds. She can often be seen at the races. In addition to the fact that the representatives of this breed have high-speed qualities, they look graceful. This grace is not only in appearance, but also in movement. What is the speed of the Arabian horse? It can cover about 60 km in an hour. This is not the fastest horse, and it is difficult for her to compete with the English horse. But she has well-developed muscles, which has a positive effect on endurance, so at long distances these horses may well compete for awards.
If we talk about how much the average speed of a horse of the Akhal-Teke, Budenovsk or Tersk breeds is, then they can also be considered as cross-country ones. Representatives of these breeds can often be seen at the races.
Interesting Facts
Many horse lovers believe that the color of the animal somehow affects the speed. And despite the fact that this fact has not been scientifically confirmed to date, there is an opinion that the fastest are red horses.
The Mustang horse is able to develop high speed. It is difficult to answer what is the maximum speed of horses of this breed, since the breed is wild. But there is an opinion that it reaches 100 km / h. Due to human poaching, the breed has been practically destroyed.If breeders can achieve an increase in the population, the speed qualities of the Mustangs can be more accurately determined.
If horses move in harness and pull, for example, a sled, then in an hour they will be able to overcome no more than 15 km. It is impossible to see the gallop while the team is moving. The most you can count on is the trot.
The statement that a horse overcomes more than 80 km in an hour is considered a myth today. There is not a single such case officially recorded in the world.
Horses in their natural environment do not trot. If necessary, they switch from a step to a canter. A man teaches horses to trot. There are breeds that are especially prone to learning. A striking example is the Trotter. Moreover, all types of horses of this breed (Russian, American, French and Orlov trotter) are equally well suited to training.
Conclusion
If we talk about what the maximum speed of a horse can be, then more than 70 km / h in the presence of a rider, a horse does not gallop. And if, say, she is pulling a cart at the same time, or the four is running with a carriage or cart, then you should not count on 60 km / h. With such a load, you also do not have to wait for a gallop from the animal, and the trot allows you to reach speeds of up to 50-55 km / h.
Every horse has a limit. Affect the speed qualities of joint diseases, which are inherited. If the hock joints are damaged, the horse will not be able to move at a fast pace.