How do I gallop a racehorse

[Mattb125]

I have an interview at a racing yard next month and I need to learn how to Gallop.I can ride to a good level and have been teaching myself to gallop with fairly short stirrups.I know I need to get my bottom up my elbows bent and my weight into my hands.
I need to know how to double bridge the reins and also how to slow down and stop?
Can anyone help clarify?

 

[kerilli]

to bridge the reins, cross them over the neck about a foot or so from the buckle end, then hold the double thickness in both hands, so there's 2 pieces of rein going across the neck. try to move your hands as little as possible, this can be seen as a signal to accelerate. keeping as still as possible and maintaining an even contact are really good.
it used to hurt my thighs and my back like hell, so the more practise you can get working with short stirrups, the better. i know some jockeys practise on an oil barrel on its side with a racing saddle on, and a pair of reins attached to something in front!
oh, and whatever you do, don't forget your 1/2 chaps... the one time i did, i rubbed both calves through to the flesh.

 

[foraday]

Pop along to one of the racing colleges!

they have taster days and other 1 day courses that will show you how to do things and learn the lingo like hack and canter and work! Trainers tend to do interval training now rather than the old way of galloping before a race.

You need to learn not only how the bridge the reins but to shorten and change hands without taking your hands off the reins.

Your weight MUST be in your feet! If you will be out the side door is your horse drops a shoulder if you have your weight in your hands!

Slowing down is easy just take the horse off the bridle.

Depending upon your age it is compulsory for you to go on the 9 week course at one of the racing schools.

good luck and there is no better feeling than galloping at 45mph!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Well if my friend's technique on her ex-racer is anything to go by you find a long, straight bit of ground, preferably uphill lol then grit your teeth, lift your bum half an inch out of the saddle, think GO and then I catch up with her about 2 miles further on! Good luck!

 

[Smurphy]

Horse in training normally after a period off trot (warm up, usually in a trotting barn or ring) will canter on a daily basis. So you may not be ask to gallop as this is normally saved to just before a race to avoid injuries

 

[Joss]

Dont worry too much. If you ride moderately well you will soon be snapped up by the racing yard. It will then be easy to practise once you are riding out 4 or 5 lots a day. Trainers (unless they are very big posh ones) are always on the look out for staff & they will teach you as they go along.

I was utterly clueless when I first stared riding out (although I was experienced at Eventing etc) & my boss gradually upgraded the type of horse I was allowed to ride as I improved. Mind you he wasnt very fussy & once someone came into the ride-out (unpaid) & they brought the horse out of the stable with the saddle put on back to front ( no word of a lie I absolutely promise you). Needless to say that person did not progress from walking round the indoor school for some months!
My top tip is keep your hands low & when you start to get run away with(which absolutely WILL happen at some point) dig your fingers into their neck just in front of the withers, it works a treat.
Have fun, I really, really miss my daily adrenalin rush riding out racehorses.

p.s sorry for ramble