Horses have captivated humans for centuries—not just for their beauty and strength, but for their incredible speed. From the thunder of hooves across open fields to the precision of racehorses on the track, these majestic animals can reach surprising velocities that rival some of nature’s fastest creatures. But how fast can a horse really run, and what factors determine their top speed? In this article, we’ll gallop through the science, history, and astonishing feats of equine speed.
Horses are pretty nippy and can gallop at around 30mph*. However their speed very much depends on the breed.
Britain's smallest native pony the Shetland pony, has a top speed of 20mph and therefore cannot be expected to stay the course with a galloping thoroughbred. The fastest horses are racehorses, who can reach speeds of 40mph. The fastest horse ever is the racehorse Winning Brew who clocked an impressive 43.7mph.
The horse has four paces; walk, trot, canter and gallop. The trot is around 8-12 mph, while the canter is about 12-15 mph.
The gallop is the horse's fastest pace and it has a four-time beat. It kicks off with the right hind leg, left hind leg, right front leg, left front leg and there is also a moment of suspension, during which all four hooves are in the air.
Horses are considerably faster than cattle, as they have often been been bred and trained purely for speed. Cows, in comparison, are often bulkier, having been bred for milk production and beef. Their speed is of little concern to farmers - unless they are trying to catch them!
*So, the answer is yes, a horse can beat an electric scooter if the scooter's top speed is 25 mph!
Saddle up for a journey into the equestrian world
Ever wondered if horse riding's a sport? Or are you curious about the ins and outs of equine ownership? If so, check out our feature about how much it costs to own a horse.
And, if you're looking for present ideas, don't miss our handpicked selection of best gifts for horse lovers. Uncover the secrets behind these majestic creatures' incredible athleticism and learn about the factors that contribute to their impressive speed.
