The gait of the Tennessee Walking Horse, known as the "running walk," is a distinctive and smooth four-beat gait that sets this breed apart from others. While the running walk is a natural gait for the Tennessee Walking Horse, it has been selectively bred and refined over time to enhance its unique characteristics. To fully explain the nature of the Tennessee Walking Horse's gait, it is important to delve into the breed's history, anatomy, and breeding practices that have influenced its development.
History of Tennessee Walking Horse
The Tennessee Walking Horse is a breed that originated in the southern United States, specifically in the state of Tennessee, during the late 18th century. Its development can be traced back to a mixture of various horse breeds and types that were present in the region at the time.
The breed's ancestry includes influences from Spanish horses brought to the Americas by explorers and settlers. These horses possessed smooth gaits that were comfortable for long-distance travel. They were known for their stamina and versatility, making them popular among early settlers and plantation owners.
Another significant influence on the Tennessee Walking Horse's development came from the Narragansett Pacers. These horses were descendants of the smooth-gaited horses that were brought to the American colonies from the British Isles. The Narragansett Pacers were known for their running walk, a four-beat gait with a distinctive smoothness and rhythm.
Additionally, Galloway and Morgan's breeds played a role in shaping the Tennessee Walking Horse. Galloways were small, agile horses known for their comfortable gaits, while Morgans Horse were versatile horses that possessed strength and endurance.
The combination of these various horse types in the southern region, particularly in Tennessee, led to the development of horses with naturally smooth gaits. The smoothness of their gaits made them well-suited for long hours of work and comfortable riding over rough terrain.
As the breed evolved, it became known as the Tennessee Walking Horse due to its association with the state of Tennessee. The horses were highly valued for their unique gait and their ability to cover significant distances with ease. In the early years, the Tennessee Walking Horse was primarily used as a utility horse on farms and plantations. Its smooth gaits made it an excellent mount for tasks such as herding livestock, working in the fields, and traveling long distances.
Over time, as the breed gained recognition for its smooth gait and comfortable ride, it also became popular for recreational riding and showing. The Tennessee Walking Horse's distinctive running walk and elegant movement made it a sought-after breed for pleasure riding, trail riding, and various equestrian competitions.
The breed's popularity continued to grow, and in 1935, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' Association (now known as the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association, or TWHBEA) was formed to promote and preserve the breed's standards and registry.
Today, the Tennessee Walking Horse is known worldwide for its smooth gait, gentle temperament, and versatility. It is widely used for pleasure riding, trail riding, endurance riding, and various show disciplines, including the celebrated "Flat Shod" division, where horses compete without the use of weighted shoes or artificial devices.
While the breed's history is rich and diverse, it is the Tennessee Walking Horse's natural and smooth gait that remains its defining characteristic, embodying the breed's legacy as a comfortable and versatile riding horse.
Important Factor Contributing
An important factor contributing to the Tennessee Walking Horse's natural ability to perform the running walk is its unique anatomical features. The horse's conformation plays a significant role in its ability to execute this gait effortlessly. Key anatomical features include the angle and length of the shoulder, the length of the pasterns, and the angulation of the hindquarters.
The shoulder angle of the Tennessee Walking Horse is relatively laid-back compared to other breeds. A sloping shoulder allows for increased reach and extension of the front limbs, which is crucial for achieving the running walk's characteristic fluid motion. The length of the pasterns also affects the smoothness of the gait. A longer pastern acts as a shock absorber, reducing the impact on the horse's joints and contributing to the overall comfort of the gait.
Features of Tennessee Walking Horse
The Tennessee Walking Horse is a distinctive breed known for its unique features, which contribute to its versatility, elegance, and smooth gait.
Here are some notable features of the Tennessee Walking Horse:
Size and Conformation:
The Tennessee Walking Horse is a medium to large-sized breed. They typically range in height from 14.3 to 17 hands (59 to 68 inches) and have a well-balanced conformation. They have a refined head with expressive eyes, a medium-length neck that is arched and muscular, a deep and sloping shoulder, a strong back, and muscular hindquarters. Their overall conformation contributes to their athleticism and elegance.
Gait:
The most distinguishing feature of the Tennessee Walking Horse is its smooth and comfortable gait, known as the "running walk." The running walk is a natural four-beat gait characterized by the horse's front and back legs moving in a precise sequence. The footfalls of the running walk consist of a lateral pair of legs hitting the ground simultaneously, followed by a moment of suspension where all four feet are off the ground. This gait allows the horse to cover the ground with minimal jarring or bounce, providing a comfortable ride for the rider.
Running Walk Mechanics:
The Tennessee Walking Horse's running walk is facilitated by its unique biomechanics. During the gait, the horse has a distinct head nod, where the head lowers slightly with each step. This head nod is a result of the horse's natural mechanics and contributes to the smoothness and rhythm of the gait. The horse's hind legs provide power and propulsion, while the front legs reach out with an extended stride, resulting in the breed's characteristic fluid motion.
Temperament:
Tennessee Walking Horses are known for their gentle and willing temperament. They are generally easy to handle and possess a calm and friendly disposition. Their temperament makes them suitable for riders of all levels, from beginners to experienced equestrians. They are known to be intelligent, responsive, and eager to please, making them versatile and trainable.
Versatility:
Tennessee Walking Horses are highly versatile and excel in various equestrian disciplines. While they are primarily known for pleasure riding and trail riding, they are also successful in competitive disciplines such as show ring competitions, including pleasure classes, trail classes, and versatility events. They are often favored for their smooth gait and elegant movement in the show ring. Additionally, they can participate in endurance riding, dressage, and even Western disciplines like cutting and reining.
Coat Colors and Patterns:
Tennessee Walking Horses come in a wide range of coat colors and patterns. The breed standard recognizes solid colors such as black, bay, chestnut, and gray, as well as various pinto patterns, including tobiano and overo. The diverse coat colors and patterns add to the breed's visual appeal and individuality.
Longevity and Soundness:
Tennessee Walking Horses are known for their soundness and longevity. With proper care and management, they often have extended riding careers and can provide enjoyment for their owners for many years. Their strong and well-balanced conformation, combined with their naturally smooth gait, contributes to their overall soundness and durability.
These features collectively contribute to the Tennessee Walking Horse's popularity and make it a beloved breed among equestrians worldwide. Their smooth gait, elegant movement, gentle temperament, and versatility make them highly sought after for both pleasure and competitive riding.
Maintain Genetic Diversity
Breeding practices have also focused on maintaining genetic diversity within the Tennessee Walking Horse population. This diversity ensures the preservation of the breed's natural abilities and helps to prevent the loss of valuable traits. Responsible breeders consider a range of factors, including conformation, temperament, and gait quality, when selecting breeding stock. This approach helps to maintain the breed's overall health and performance capabilities.
It is worth noting that some controversy surrounds the Tennessee Walking Horse industry due to the use of certain training and shoeing techniques to exaggerate the horse's gait. These practices are associated with the "Big Lick" movement, which involves the use of tall, heavy shoes and the application of caustic substances to the horse's lower legs. These methods are intended to accentuate the high-stepping action of the horse's front limbs, often to the detriment of the horse's welfare.
However, it is important to differentiate between these controversial practices and the natural gait of the Tennessee Walking Horse. The inherent smoothness and comfort of the running walk exist independently of any artificial enhancement. Responsible breeders and horse enthusiasts are focused on preserving and promoting the natural abilities of the breed while ensuring the welfare and soundness of the horses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the gait of the Tennessee Walking Horse, known as the running walk, is a natural and inherent trait of the breed. The breed's history, anatomical features, and selective breeding practices have all contributed to the development and refinement of this unique gait.
The running walk's smoothness, efficiency, and comfort make the Tennessee Walking Horse a highly sought-after breed for various equestrian pursuits. It is essential to distinguish between the breed's natural gait and controversial training and shoeing techniques that aim to exaggerate the gait, as responsible breeders and enthusiasts prioritize the welfare and soundness of these remarkable horses.
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