BREED PROFILE

TENNESSEE WALKING HORSES

Rhythm N’ Blues.

BY MONIQUE NOBLE

Gorgeous and gracious, TWH stud FF-16 He’za Cruzin’ Legacy is the resident stallion at Freedom Farms located in Linden, Alberta.

It’s only fitting that a breed of horse born in the same U.S. state that has given us some of the best musicians in North America moves to its own rhythm. The Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH), also known as Tennessee Walkers, are famous for their exceptionally smooth four-beat gait. This unique movement has been carefully nurtured by combining various breeds available to horsemen in the Deep South.

Smooth-gaited horses were greatly desired by land and plantation owners who rode frequently to survey their holdings. In the late 1700s, the now extinct Narragansett pacers and Canadian pacers (now known as Canadians) were bred to gaited Spanish horses from Texas. The resulting hardy and sure-footed gaited horses were versatile enough to be used for both farm work and pleasure riding. Further crossing with popular breeds of the times, including Thoroughbred, Saddlebreds, and Standardbreds, led to a smooth-gaited and easygoing type of horse.

The providential crossing of the trotting stallion Allendorf with another classic American breed, the Morgan, led to what is now considered the foundation sire of the modern-day Tennessee Walker. In 1886 a Morgan mare named Maggie Marshall produced a foal by Allendorf, named Black Allen. This horse was later designated Allen F-1 when the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) chose him as their foundation sire. Allen F-1 was bred to Tennessee pacers and the resulting progeny were the first TWHs. Allen F-1 was a black stallion with a striking white blaze, but his descendants now come in all colours, including double dilutes like champagne and perlino.

The TWH not only comes in a variety of colours, but also a variety of body types as they are still a relatively young breed, having only been recognized as a distinct breed since 1950. There are, however, certain characteristics typical of the breed. Ranging in height from 14.2-17 hands high, TWHs are noble looking animals with glistening, short haired coats accompanied by luxurious manes and tails. Regal heads feature active ears, kind, intelligent eyes, and tapered muzzles with large, well-shaped nostrils. Their long necks are set into

TWHs are famous for their smooth gaits but they are also incredibly versatile and adapt easily to most jobs asked of them. Photo provided by Brenda Baker

long, sloping shoulders, a short back, and a strong hip with a slope that matches that of the shoulder. This enables the TWH to have the elasticity, smoothness, and length of stride for which they are known. TWHs have strong, flat legs with sturdy tendons and bones, leading into strong, proportionate hooves easily capable of supporting the body. The disposition of this smooth-moving animal is just as easy going as their gait. Smart, sweet-minded, and quick to learn, TWHs are incredibly versatile and brave – willing to try just about anything. They are amazing trail and hacking horses but are equally willing to try their hand at herding cattle, driving in harness, and are spectacular in the show ring. They are especially amazing when performing their flashy, smooth and impressively fast titular “walk,” one of three rhythmic gaits the TWH is known for.

THE FLAT WALK

The flat walk is a strong, groundcovering walk with an even, four-beat gait. Each hoof both leaves and strikes the ground independently. The footfall sequence is left hind, left front, right hind, right front. To create the ideal timing, a hind hoof is always one-half stride ahead of the front hoof. The rear legs track beyond the tracks of the front hooves with smooth, effortless strides. The movement of the back hooves stepping over the track of the front hooves is known as overstriding and is preferred over tracking up (when the hind foot falls in the same place as the front, which is desired in most other breeds). The flat walk is an ideal gait for trail riding and incredibly hard for even a fast-walking Quarter Horse to keep up with. Another trademark TWHs display in their gaits is a pronounced vertical nod that involves the entire neck and head, not just the head alone. Quite often people mistake the characteristic nod of a TWH as a sign of lameness if they are not aware that the horse in question is a walker.

ABOVE: Brenda Baker of Millarville, Alta., and her mare, MGW Kode Name Kit, demonstrate the signature overstride of the TWH at a flat walk. Running walks can be as fast as 32kph and their overstride can reach almost half a metre in length.

THE RUNNING WALK

The running walk is a silky gait with the same rhythm as the flat walk, but with increased speed and length of stride. TWHs continue to nod their heads while executing the running walk. The relaxed look of the horse belies the speed in which they travel; some Tennessee Walking Horses flop their ears or click their teeth in rhythm with the incredibly fast gait.

THE LOPE

The lope, like in other breeds, is a three-beat gait. Just as smooth as the walking gaits, the lope has a distinct rolling motion and is often referred to as the rocking chair lope.

THE CONTROVERSIAL BIG LICK BLUES

The “big lick” is an artificial ‘performance’ gait achieved with specific stacked shoes required for the enhanced movements. The big lick has been a source of controversy for decades, as many people in the horse industry believe that the big lick cannot be achieved without the “soring” of horses. Soring is the practice of using caustic agents to burn the back of horses’ pasterns, making them lift their feet unnaturally high in an attempt escape the pain. This practice is also referred to as “cooking.” Soring is often accompanied with weighted chains used to achieve a flashier and higher step. The stacked shoes required for big lick movements make TWHs move in an artificially elevated gait that is extremely hard on the hind quarters, and has been known to cause health issues long after the stacks have been removed. Horses in stacked shoes are also required, ironically for their own safety, to remain stalled and only get turned out while either training or showing.

Performance horses in big lick classes also frequently have their tails artificially braced to achieve an unnaturally high carriage for a showier look. The tail is set by having ligaments on the underside of the tail surgically altered to allow for greater flexibility. Bracing during the healing process is used to ensure the tail ligaments stay elongated as they heal. This allows for bracing during show classes to be more comfortable for the horse. Show braces are attached to the saddle and run under the horse’s tail like a crupper.

The practice of soring was declared illegal in the U.S. in the 1970s, but even so the practice has unfortunately continued. As recently as June 2022, TWH lovers have been advocating in the U.S. for stricter and more enforceable laws against this practice. The Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2021, introduced to amend the Horse Protection Act in the U.S., has gathered some positive momentum this year and may soon see the end of not only soring, but the use of stacked shoes as well. The legislation, while a step in the right direction, does not currently address the act of setting tails.

Stacked horse shoeing, while considered by some to be a timehonoured tradition, is becoming less common as “flat shod” shows are gaining in popularity. Big lick classes have never been featured in Canada, as Canadian Tennessee Walking Horse associations only support flat shod or barefoot classes and set tails are uncommon north of the border.

The Western Canadian Tennessee Walker Association has taken a strong stance against the big lick and all practices associated with it since the association’s inception in 1998. Similarly, the Canadian Registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse has been a staunch natural gaits advocate for the TWH for over 40 years. Both associations are based out of Alberta,

which has the most TWH breeders in Canada.

Stephen and Brenda Woodall run a TWH breeding operation based out of Linden, Alta. As avid mountain trail riders, they focus on breeding a hardier, big-bodied TWH that can easily handle long rides in rough terrain. Brenda discovered her love of the TWH through her father, and now shares that same love with her husband. A retired farrier, Stephen is also a longtime TWH fan and accomplished rider, winning the 2022 Open Gaited Breed Three Day Event Under Saddle competition on his gelding, Cisco’s Liberty General.

The Woodall’s ranch, Freedom Farms, is home to the stunning TWH stallion FF16 He’za Cruzin Legacy. They are expecting a healthy crop of foals by him this spring. At four years old, “Cruz,” as he’s fondly referred to, is already showing potential for exemplary gaits and a willing attitude as Brenda puts him through his paces on the obstacle course they have at home.

The Woodalls are quick to point out that while the TWH is a smart and goodnatured horse, they are also incredibly sensitive to their rider. So sensitive, in fact, that their gaits are easily changed from one to another by the position of the rider’s seat, which can be frustrating and disconcerting to novice riders. Many TWHs will not perform their gaits properly if they are being ridden by an unskilled rider simply because they are not sure what the rider wants. Whatever the skill level of the rider, the TWH is still incredibly smooth riding, even when their gaits are not “show perfect.” This makes them an ideal mount for people who have back issues or spend long hours in the saddle. Their agreeable nature makes for steadfast, earnest partners whether working cattle, mastering Cowboy Challenge obstacles, endurance riding, or just moseying (quickly) down the trail. AB

While TWHs do not require special bits, they do perform better in special saddlery. This TWH saddle has good shoulder flare and short skirting, allowing for greater movement in both the shoulders and hind quarters.

BELOW: This is the type of stacked and weighted shoe commonly used in ”big lick” classes. Steve Woodall shared that he almost failed a farrier exam down south for refusing to do it. (Photos provided by Horse Plus Humane Society)