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How Fast Is My Horse Going?By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · June 14, 2011
It seems to take forever to get from here to there on a lazy, slow-walking horse. On the other hand, a rider clinging to the mane of a bolting runaway would swear she was approaching supersonic speed. Just how fast are the gaits of an average horse?
Walking normally, a horse moves at about three to four miles (five to six kilometers) an hour. Trotting speed is usually between six and eight miles (10 to 13 kilometers) per hour, and a medium canter or lope ranges from 10 to 17 miles (16 to 28 kilometers) per hour. Standardbred racehorses at top trotting speed move along at close to 30 miles (50 kilometers) per hour, while Thoroughbreds reach a top galloping speed of 35 to 40 miles (59 to 65 kilometers) per hour.
Breed of horse, height, stride length, effect of rider, terrain, athletic condition, fatigue, age, weight of tack and gear, and weather can influence how fast a particular horse covers the ground at a certain gait.
