How to Choose a Tennessee Walker

The Tennessee walking horse is known for its gentle disposition and smooth gaits.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 8-foot Lead Rope
• Halter

1. Understand that, having a willing temperament, sturdy and powerful conformation, and tremendous versatility, the Tennessee walker (also known as the Tennessee walking horse) is a very popular horse among the gaited horses.
2. Realize that, famous for their running walk, which can go as fast as 14 miles per hour, Tennessee walking horses are great for trail rides.
3. Note that an adult Tennessee walker stands from 14.3 to 17 hands and weighs from 900 to 1,200 pounds.
4. Understand that Tennessee walkers come in a variety of colors and patterns; black, sorrel and chestnut are the most common.
5. Note that nodding its head to the rhythm of its steps is a classic trait of the Tennessee walker. It has small to medium-sized ears, a high-set neck with an arch, a broad chest, a long underline (area between front and hind legs) that allows for a long stride, muscled hindquarters, a long and sloping hip, and a short back.
6. Use your Tennessee walkers for pleasure, trail and endurance riding.
7. Understand that this breed has suffered from cruel and abusive shoeing and training tactics to make the horses achieve their high step. "Soring" is the application of stinging or burning agents to the back of the foot to encourage the horse to raise its feet up. "Pressure shoeing" is the technique of shoeing a horse almost to the bloodline so the shoe puts painful pressure on the sole.
8. Get involved with animal rights activists and industry leaders who are working to achieve humane training practices for all walkers.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeder's & Exhibitor's Association at P.O. Box 286-HR, Lewisburg, TN 37091, [phone].
• Contact the National Walking Horse Association at P.O. Box 249, Willow Spring, NC 27592.
• Horses have unique personalities, just like people do. It is best to take some time to get to know an individual animal before purchasing it.