Horses can run at different speeds depending on their gait, breed, and conditioning. The average horse gallops at around 25 to 30 mph (40 to 48 km/h). Some specially bred and trained racehorses can reach speeds from 40 to 44 mph (64 to 70 km/h), and the fastest recorded galloping speed is about 55 mph (88.5 km/h) by American Quarter Horses in short sprints. The record for the fastest racehorse speed is 43.97 mph (70.76 km/h), set by a Thoroughbred named Winning Brew in 2008.
Horse Movement Speeds:
- Walk: ~4 mph (6.9 km/h)
- Trot: 8 mph (12.9 km/h)
- Canter: 10 to 17 mph (16 to 27.3 km/h)
- Gallop: 25 to 30 mph (40.2 to 48.3 km/h) on average, higher for racehorses
Fastest Horse Breeds:
- American Quarter Horse: 45 to 55 mph (72.5 to 88.5 km/h)
- Thoroughbred: 35 to 44 mph (56.5 to 71 km/h)
- Mustang: 35 to 50 mph (56.5 to 80.5 km/h)
Most domestic horses run at about 30 mph, but racehorses achieve much higher speeds during short bursts. Horses can only maintain their top speeds for brief stretches due to fatigue.
