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Photo of Ivory Pal by Cheri Prill Tennessee Walking Horse Issue August 2010

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History of

The Tennessee Walking Horse

Lisa Bialy

The Beginning

For more than a hundred years prior to 1935, Tennesseans had been riding a horse which had easy gaits under the saddle. Tennesseans had always loved horses. The early pioneers who came across the mountains from the Carolinas and from Virginia brought a hardy stock of horses with them. These horses were used for a three-fold purpose; that of riding, driving and for utility work on the farms as the land emerged from a wilderness.

The horses in Tennessee in the early days had Thoroughbred blood in their veins. There was also a strain of the Pacer, and some Morgan blood prevailed. By Andrew Jackson's time, racing on the flat and quarter racing were well established.

Later at the turn of the century, these horses with good gaits were exhibited at County Fairs. Competition was healthy and each breeder tried to produce and develop a horse which would excel at easy gaits under the saddle. These horses were known as "Saddle" horses. They were later called Plantation Horses, or Plantation Walking Horses. Today they are known as Tennessee Walking Horses.

The Walking Horse is of composite blood, although the Walking Horse of today is a distinct entity of its own. This undoubtedly came about through a crossing of the Thoroughbred with the sturdy stock of the Saddle Horses which the Virginians brought across the mountains in the early pioneer days, and through a mixture with the Canadian Pacer and the Narragansett Pacer. Although the Narragansett Pacer is extinct, it pre-dates all American breeds and is the source of all pacing horses in America. To this was added the blood of the Morgan and the Saddlebred.

Looking back through various Foundation horses, you would find many famous names of the past that make up today's Tennessee Walking Horse. Throughout a century and more meticulous breeding, the Walking Horse has come to possess some of the endurance and upstanding qualities of the Thoroughbred, the substance and weight of the Standardbred, the smooth lines and docility of the Morgan, and the style and quality of the American Saddle Horse. None in a large measure, but all to a degree with that make for traits of its own to mark it as a distinct and talented breed.

Walking Horse of Today

Today this wonderful breed has become a pleasure mount that has become popular for trail riding because of its comfortable gaits. Also, a winner in the show ring for its conformation, manners and gaits.

The Walking Horse of today averages 15.2 hands, and has color ranging from black, chestnut, bay, brown, roan, gray, sorrel, champagne, palomino and buckskin. Patterns vary from tobiano, sabino, tovero and overo. The mane and tail is long and full. The general conformation of the Walking Horse consists of an intelligent and neat head, well-shaped and pointed ears, bright eyes and a tapered muzzle. Shorter in the back, deeper in the body and well ribbed, fuller in the flanks, and of good proportion and width in the chest. The neck is longer and graceful in proportion, and set on well muscled shoulders that are sloping. Hair is soft and silky. Bone is smooth, dense and hard.

The Walking Horse is rugged and durable, but free of coarseness.

They are intelligent

The disposition of the Walking Horse is unique. It is a loyal and affectionate animal which is highly intelligent, even tempered, and of a kindly disposition. Because of the gentle makeup of this breed, it is an ideal companion for both young and old. The Walking Horse is known as the "Gentleman of the Equines".

“The Glide Ride”

The Walking Horse has three natural gaits, all being free and easy. The Flat Walk, the Running Walk, and the Canter. All three are natural, smooth gaits.

The Flat Walk is the slowest of the three…being bold, even and comfortable for the rider. It is not a casual walk, but a somewhat spirited walk with a speed of 4 to 5 miles an hour. It is described as a "square on four corners" and is executed with ease and grace.

The Running Walk is a faster version of the Flat Walk, and gives the rider a sensation of "gliding." The Running Walk, in a sense, has made this horse a distinct breed. The speed varies from 6 to 8 miles per hour. The steps are lengthened and the head nods, both in such asymmetry of action that the rider is spared the jar and jolts that so often go with horseback riding. Rather, a gliding sensation and skimming along. This is not an exhausting gait, and the horse can go along for some time at this gait.

The Canter is a rise and fall movement. It is a refined gallop with spring and rhythm, but without jar or jolt to the rider. The Canter is the rocking chair motion which any horse can do, but all cannot do it with satisfaction to the rider. When done properly, it is a slower rocking to and fro with relaxation for the horse and comfort to the rider. The horse that properly does this rolling motion is known as the doing the "Rocking Chair Canter".