The Tennessee Walking Horse
The Tennessee Walking Horse is the horse breed selected
to be the showcase of the equestrian center. Selected for its temperament
and smooth ride, because safety and comfort are a top priority at the
Center. This breed of horse is especially suited for our training
clinics and trail rides.
The breed is relatively new with the foundation sire,
Black Allen, being born in 1886. Black Allen was bred to be a trotter, but
fortunately for those who love this breed, he didn't want to trot, he wanted
to pace. So in the last year of his life he was bred to 111 mares and the
Tennessee Walking Horse was born. The sire registry was closed in 1947 and
from that point on all horses registered need to have registered parents.
Though it is not widely know in the west where the breed
of choice is the Quarter Horse, gaited horses like the Tennessee Walker were
bred for their stamina and endurance in mountainous terrain. Tennessee Walkers can hold their
running walk (about 8-10 mph) for long periods of time. Their ability to
handle rough terrain and maintain a smooth ride makes them ideal for the
large plantations they were initially bred for.
Having arguably the most desirable temperament of all the
horse breeds, the Tennessee Walking Horse is equally at home with the novice
or the experienced rider.
It is said "Ride one today and you'll own one tomorrow".
It is our goal to educate and promote this wonderful breed and meld it into
the western tradition.
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