How to Recognize the Tennessee Walking Horse Gaits

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By casualequine
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Recognize the Tennessee Walking Horse Gaits

The Tennessee Walking Horse is a gaited, light breed horse originating from the southern states. The "Glide Ride" is known for three distinct gaits, the flat walk, the running walk, and the "rocking chair" canter. The Tennessee Walking Horse can also show the trot, pace, fox-trot, rack and amble, especially when sacrificing gait for speed.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Tennessee Walking Horse
Video camera (optional)

Step 1

The flat walk is performed at approximately 4-8 miles per hour. It is a steady four beat gait with each hoof hitting the ground seperately and at a steady interval. At the flat walk, the Tennessee Walking Horse will produce an overstride. This is the hind right hoof landing in front of the right front hoof print, and the left hind hoof landing in front of the left front hoof print. Along with this overstride, the Tennessee Walking Horse produces a rhythmic head nod.
Step 2

The running walk is the gait the Tennessee Walking Horse is known for best. This gait is performed at 10-20 miles per hour. Care is taken not to sacrifice form for speed. Again, at the running walk, an overstride and head nod is easily noticed. The more the overstride, the smoother the ride. At the running walk, the rider feels as though they are gliding through the air with a powerful backend under them, pushing the rider forward.
Step 3

The "rocking chair" canter is performed basically in the same manner as other horse breeds, but it is a much more smooth, fluid motion. At the canter, The Tennessee Walking Horse creates a rise and fall motion that gives the rider the sensation of sitting in a rocking chair.