Tennessee Walking Horse

Claimed to be the most comfortable ride in the world, the Tennessee Walker is famous for its unique gait.  It is like a running walk, where the front feet are raised straight and high and the hinds slide forward in an extremely long stride, overstepping the front tracks by up to 15 inches!  The gait is basically a four-beat step, with the front feet running and the hind feet walking.  The Tennessee Walker came about in Tennessee, where plantation owners needed a comfortable mount for long days in the saddle.   Many consider the foundation sire of this breed to be a Standardbred by the name of Black Allan.  He was born in 1886 and contained blood from the famous Hambletonian, as well as Morgan.  Other influences, such as Thoroughbred, Narragansett Pacer, Saddlebred and Arab, also contributed to today's Tennessee Walker.  Exhibiting great style and flare, this breed is both a wonderful sight to see and a charming ride.  Description:   The Tennessee Walker has a medium-sized head, with a straight profile and longish ears.  The head has a characteristic nodding when the horse is traveling at the running walk.  The neck is strong, arched and carried upright; shoulders sloped and body compact; hindquarters rounded and powerful, with straight, clean legs and a very high tail set; mane and tail very long and full, usually worn loose; color solid.  [Grove, Kindrie, Field Guide to Horses, Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton, Alberta, 1998]

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