The Tennessee Walking Horse

The Tennessee Walking Horse, also called the Tennessee Walker, plays a major role in unique American gaited horse tradition, and its development runs parrallel to that of the American Saddlebred . The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeder's and Exhibitor's Association (TWHBEA) was formed in 1935 in Lewisburgh, Tennessee, and the breed was officially recognized by the US Department of Agriculture in 1947. Such is the enthusiasm for this remarkable horse that classes at the annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee, attract more entries than any other American horse show.

The Tennessee Walker evolved in the state of Tennessee in the mid 19th-century, after the first pioneers established outposts in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri. The richest of those settlers set about breeding a stylish horse that would complement their lifestyle as well as serve a practical purpose.

The settlers aimed to create a horse of endurance and stamina, which would be able to carry its owner for long hours while he was overseeing work on the land. Great speed was not a requirement for such work, but the horses could travel long distances when neccessary. In the early days of the horses were knkown as Southern Plantaion Walking Horses, or Tennessee Pacers, or more familiarly, as Walkers or "Turn-row" horses; they earned this last name becaues they could turn easily between plantation rows without harming young plants.

Like all American gaited breeds, the Walking Horse is descendes from the old Narrangansett Pacer, with additional input from the Thoroughbred, Standardbred, Morgan, and Saddlebred. The Standardbred stallion, Black Allan, and his son Roan Allan, are recognized as the breed's foundation sires. Black Allan, by Allandorf, was descended from a line of Standardbred trotters, and was out of a Morgan mare named Maggie Marshall. He was a failure as a harness racer because of his peculiar walking pace, but he transmitted this feature faithfully to his descendants, and it became their most prized characteristic. In 1903, when he was brought to Tennessee, he was crossed with existing Tennessee Pacers to create the foundation stock for the modern Walker. Subsequently, refinement and quality were provided from a largely Saddlebred stallion named Giovanni. This horse was brought from Kentucky in 1914 to stand at Wartrace, Tennessee, the town that is regarded as the birthplace of the Tennessee Walking Horse.

The Tennessee Walking Horse is a larger-boned horse than the Saddlebred. It is deep-bodied and short-coupled, with a head that tends to be rather plain. It carries its head much lower than does the Saddlebred, and the horse moves at a far less elevated action. The breed stands between 15 and 16 hands high. Predominant colors are black and all shades of chestnut, sometimes with prominent white markings.

Today, the Tennessee Walking Horse is primarily a show and pleasure horse. It also has a reputation as the most reassuring of horses for the novice or nervous rider. Its actions are highlighted by the TWHBEA, an organization that was formed in Lewisburg, Tennessee in 1935 and promotes the breed with the sales pitch "Ride one today and you'll own one tomorrow." The Tennessee Walker's reputation has been earned on two counts: its most amiable dispostion, and the famous running walk, a wonderfully soft, gliding gait that is described as "bounce-free" and entirely relaxing. Both give great comfort and encouragment to reluctant or nervous riders.

The Tennessee Walking Horse's Famous Gait

The Tennessee Walking Horse has three gaits: the flat walk, the running walk, and a "rocking chair" canter.

In the running walk, horses can maintain a speed of between 6-9 miles per hour for a considerable time, while over short distances can reach 15 miles per hour. However, speed is not an important criteriion; the Breed Association states that " a good running walk should never allow proper form to be sacrificed for excessive speed." In this gait, the front foot strikes the ground just before the opposite diagonal hind foot, and the hind feet overstep by anything between 6-15 inches. The result is a remarkably smooth gliding motion, which is accompanied by swinging ears as well as the characteristicnodding head movement, and, at top speed, clicking teeth!

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Tennessee Walking Horse Home Page of Jasmith Enterprise

Tennessee Walking Horse History & Gait

Tennessee Walking Horse Breeder's and Exhibitor's Association

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