Tennessee Walking Horse

The Tennessee Walking Horse originated during the 19th century in Tennessee.  As people settled in the Tennessee area they needed a stylish horse suitable for use on the land, in harness, for riding, suitable for all members of thefamily.It was important to have a horse with good stamina and a comfortable stride to cover the long distances and rough terrain. Early settlers developed the breed using gaited Spanish Horses, the Narragansett Pacer, and Canadian Pacer, with later infusions of Thoroughbred, Morgan, Standardbred and Saddlebred blood. In 1886 a black colt was born called Black Allan or Allan F-1. Black Alan was by a stallion called Allandorf, of the famous Hambletonian trotting line, out of a Morgan mare called Maggie Marshall.

Black Allan was originally intended to be a trotting horse, but was unsuccessful due to his peculiar gait. He passed this gait on to all his progeny and it ended up becoming the valued gait of the Tennessee Walker. When the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Association was founded in 1935., Black Allan was considered to have had the most influential effect on the breed and was named as the foundation sire. Characteristically, the Walkers have three very comfortable gaits. These are a flat walk, a running walk, and a smooth rolling canter. Both the walks are a four-beat pace, the head nods in time, and the hind feet over-track the front imprints. The running walk is very fast, and is often used in the show ring. The horses can average approximately 8 mph over long distances in this pace, and an amazing 15 mph over short distance. There is pronounced head nodding in time ot the pace, the ears swing, and invariably the teeth click. This hindquarters are kept lowered, and the paces are all very smooth. The Walker has the most superb temperament and is naturally sociable, quiet, and amenable, making an excellent mount for children or novices.

In appearance, they have a largish head with a straight profile, a muscular and arched neck, pronounced withers, a broad chest, sloping shoulders, a short back, and a muscular flat croup. The tail is set high, and is commonly nicked to attain an even higher carriage. They can be any solid color and stand between 15 hh and 16 hh.

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