Tennessee Walking Horse Breed

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breed ...

The Tennessee Walking Horse traces back to the Narragansett Pacer and, like the Saddlebred and the Missouri Fox Trotter, it was developed as an exceptionally comfortable riding horse with gaits not found in other breeds.

Originally known as the Southern Plantation Walking Horse or Tennessee Pacer, it was an invaluable mode of transport for planters carrying out crop inspections, being fast, robust, comfortable under saddle and having a most tractable temperament.

Breed Description ...

Height - 15.2hh average

Colour - Any black and solid colours are most popular

Conformation- Intelligent largish head with a straight profile; strong arched neck; pronounced withers; well sloped shoulders; powerful body with a broad chest; a short back; strong hind quarters; clean hard limbs and a muscular flat croup

Character: gentle, naturally sociable, quiet nature.

Uses: riding horse

Interesting Facts ...

The Tennessee Walking horses distinctive gaits - the flat foot walk, the running walk and the canter are inherited.

Young foals can be seen performing the running walk.

Both walks are a loose four beat gate, with a high action in front.

As it moves the Tennessee Walking Horse nods its head in rhythm with the rise and fall of it's hoofs and the hind feet over stride the tracks left by the front feet.

The flat foot walk should be loose, bold and square with plenty of shoulder motion.

There should be a noticeable difference in the tempo between the two walks.

The canter has a distinctive rocking chair motion.