Gaits and rider motion
Gallop separates the hoof contacts into four beats. In this right-lead example the order is left hind, right hind, left fore, right fore. A stride takes 0.50 seconds at 9 m/s, covering 4.50 m.
Contacts begin at 0%, 10%, 30% and 42% of the stride. The final forehoof leaves the ground at about 69%, leaving an aerial interval of about 31% before the next hind contact. Canter keeps its middle contacts together; gallop separates them.
The rider uses a two-point seat, supported through the stirrups with the seat clear of the saddle. The lower-leg examples show how moving the foot support changes the upper-body compensation required by the balance model.
This is one selected transverse-gallop pattern. Galloping horses change timing with speed, and some body-motion amplitudes in the animation are estimates.