Ride Smoothly On A Tennessee Walking Horse

By Helen Hughes


There are a number of different breeds of horses just as there are with dogs and cats. One fine equine example is the Tennessee Walker. This sturdy breed has a unique four-beat running walk. They are so fine. There is no bouncing on his back as with the horses who walk, trot and canter. The gait of the Tennessee walking horse is a comfortable ride in all three of his gaits.

If anyone has the experience of riding the thoroughbred or the American Quarter horse, he knows the feeling of trotting. The experience of riding the Tennessee Walker is unlike any other. It is ridden in both English and Western events. Although his disposition is calm, he can put on a show in the competition ring. While out on the bridle path he is a relaxing ride.

Breeders developed these qualities by crossing gaited Spanish Mustangs with Narragansett or Canadian Pacers. Spanish Mustangs were brought up from Texas. A stallion named Black Allan was the foundation sire of the breed. He was foaled in 1935.

This is a versatile animal. It is pure pleasure to take him out on the trail. He has also starred in television shows and movies. It was a Tennessee Walker the Lone Ranger rode on TV. More than one assumed the role over the years. They were easy to train. It is memorable the way they reared up.

Currently there are two kinds of show competitions held. One is flat shod, which has the equine shod with regular horseshoes. The other is called performance.

Unusual shoeing practices are used on those in the performance shows. They are fitted with weights or devices intended to cause pain to make them raise their front legs higher in a prancing way. This abusive practice of soring is prohibited. They use stacked horseshoes or use caustic substances to cause pain just above hooves.

It is now illegal, but continues to be allowed in some of the shows. This abusive practice was outlawed in 1970 when the Horse Protection Act was passed. Criminal charges have been lodged against some owners.

The average horse lover objects to soring since it causes pain that is sometimes severe. Entrants waiting to go into the show ring have been seen lying down to relieve the pain. When it is time to compete, the owner has to force his mount to get up.

Thoroughbred race horses have been harmed to prevent them from winning a race for big money. Similarly, the Tennessee Walkers are sored to increase their chances of winning show competitions. Veterinarians continue to conduct inspections at the performance shows, but the practice manages to continue.

Elvis Presley rode and purchased many mounts over the years. His golden palomino, Rising Sun, was his favorite. He also loved riding a black Tennessee Walker named Bear. As the fans watched from a distance he would show off Bears smooth running walk for them.

It could be said that Bear was his second favorite horse. Bear was a rather stocky, well-built animal. It is a fact that no soring was ever inflicted on Bear. When not being ridden, he roamed the pastures of the Circle G Ranch. Elvis purchased this land when his herd grew too large to keep at Graceland.




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