"Gallop in pairs" is a commonly used term in local racing newspapers, which means that a set of two or sometimes three horses gallop together in morning workouts. If two or more horses trot in company, it is so-called "trot in pairs".

Basically, there are two patterns of gallop in pair, one of which is that two horses start in sequence, with the one lagging behind speeding up en route, mostly in the last quarter, to keep abreast of the leader. The second one is that two horses start at the same time, or run together bridle to bridle, or one horse trails another, until the duo makes a run in the last quarter.

As one of the many ways to train horses, gallop in pair mainly performs the following functions. It can lift a horse's fighting spirits. Horses are both herd animals and inborn racing specialists. When they run and wheel about in a mob, they will become particularly enthusiastic as the faster animal can display a sense of superiority over its peers. In the wild, the superior horse enjoys greater and is often a leader. Though thoroughbreds differ profoundly from wild horses as to their lifestyle, they are still used to competing amongst each other to distinguish the strong from the weak. If a horse has not raced with other horses for a long time, its fighting spirits may diminish.

Trainers may examine the progress of a horse through galloping in pairs. As each horse has its own characteristics, some are smart enough to be lazy in their morning work. They are likely to appear languid and dispirited when they work independently on the training track, making it difficult to assess whether they are improving or declining in form and how much better or worse they are. Nevertheless, they may display much enthusiasm right away and show their true colours when they gallop in company at trackwork.

Trainers may also make use of galloping in pairs to educate horses. Young and green horses with little racing experience may need more training and through couples of gallops in pair they can learn how to stretch out properly, conserve energy and switch on at the right time. Some horses that have been unruly in races (if they have been laying in or out) can be arranged to work on the inside or outside when galloping in pair, during which the guidance of companions can help correct these problems.

Working in pairs is a way to boost a horse's form. However, equine stamina will steadily decline with an increase in workouts. Excessive gallops will inevitably produce undesirable effects. It is up to trainers who, based on their professional expertise and experience, arrange which horses should be given such kind of work and when it should be done.