A horse rider’s skill is crucial to his success in any horse sport. This success, however, also relies heavily on the horse. A sport horse has been intentionally bred and trained to be more athletic, energetic, and faster than the average horse. These horses are considered superior to their counterparts in terms of competitiveness.
Sports horses come in various breeds, physiques, and temperaments and these factors determine the sport in which they excel. For instance, a horse’s swiftness, skill, and obedience are crucial elements for success in dressage. On the other hand, endurance racing requires a fit horse with inbuilt strength and stamina to cover long distances.
When it comes to horse racing, one of the most exciting horse sports, fast horses are a must-have for any rider to get a shot at winning. Horses are naturally fast animals, but since horse racing is a fight for the fastest horse, it demands exceptional speed.
What is a Fast Horse?
A fast sport horse has been bred and trained to be faster than a standard horse. It has been trained to propel itself forward at the rate of a sprinter’s stride. Some horses can travel as fast as 55 km/hr. The fastest galloping speed recorded was 88.5 km/hr, attained by a Quarter horse named “A Long Goodbye” in 2005. These fast horses can keep up these speeds for a short period, which is why they are perfect for sprint races.
One topic of significant concern among breeders, trainers, jockeys, and even horse racing fans is identifying a fast horse. This is because, contrary to popular opinion, it is difficult to determine a horse’s speed from merely its appearance. If it were, the horse race betting industry would be dead now, as everyone would place winning bets just by analyzing physical traits. However, there are more crucial factors that determine a horse’s speed.
This article will discuss some of the features of a fast sport horse to help you know the traits to look out for.
Horse Breed
A horse’s breed and genetics are one of the most accurate determining factors of its speed. For instance, thoroughbred horses are considered very fast and the most suitable for horse races, especially on relatively long distances. Also referred to as “hot-blooded horses,” they are the most common breed in horse racing. The Guinness World Record for the world’s fastest horse is held by a thoroughbred named Winning Brew with a speed of 43.97MPH.
The American Quarter breed is considered the best in short-distance sprints, while Arabians excel in endurance racing. Other horses, like the Morgan breed, are not as fast and are usually better suited for horse sports like show jumping, which does not require speed.
Body Structure
The bones and muscles, which make up a horse’s size, are the two main body structures influencing its speed. This does not imply that taller and thicker horses are necessarily faster, nor that skinny horses are slower. Nonetheless, a perfect mix of these elements usually results in a fast horse speed.
Fast Stride Rate
The stride rate of a horse is the number of strides it can take within a given time. A typical racehorse moves at a pace of 130 to 140 strides per minute, while fast horses can reach a speed of 160 strides per minute. Although stride rate is crucial, there are other factors to consider, as some horses can cover longer strides than others.
A horse that covers 6 meters with one stride and takes 130 strides per minute is not as fast as one that covers 7 meters with a stride at the same rate.
Long Stride Length and High Stride Angle
The stride length is an essential feature of a horse’s speed. It is how long a horse can cover with each stride. Therefore, the fastest horses are the ones that cover long stride lengths at a rapid stride rate.
A horse’s stride angle is another factor that determines its speed. It is the distance between a horse’s front and hind feet. The stride angle is usually taken at the spot where the rear leg is pushed off. As a result, a higher stride angle usually means longer strides in horses.
Conclusion
Speed is the most crucial element in horse racing. Hence, horse owners, trainers, and breeders always look for the fastest horses. Apart from the speed-determining features mentioned in this article, keeping your horse healthy and well-groomed is also vital for optimum performance in races.