Which Gait is for You?

Tennessee Walking Horse

History highlights: The Tennessee Walking Horse is an all-American breed, that emerged from the bluegrass region of central Tennessee in the mid-1800s. Horses brought to the region, including Morgans, Standardbreds, American Saddle Horses, Narraganset Pacers, and Thoroughbreds, contributed to the genetic
treasure of the breed

The first Walking Horse breeders' association was founded in 1935; the breed was recognized in 1950. During the 1950s, owners who showed Walking Horses created classes for extremely high-stepping horses. These "Big Lick" horses - trained in the "charge into the bit" tradition and likely made painfully hoof sore with chemicals - don't usually transition easily onto the trail, nor do the extreme methods used to train them foster a calm, good-minded individual.

Fortunately, an increasing number of breeders are focusing on plain-shod horses with the natural gaits, easygoing dispositions, and sound bodies to make them great trail partners. Groups that support these efforts include Friends of Sound Horses, the National Walking Horse Association (which has a registry), and the Tennessee Walking Horse Heritage Society.

"The focus on artificial gait was making it a real possibility that the delightful natural gaits that made these horses popular in the first place would be lost," says NWHA director of operations Don Bell. "We've had a terrific response."

Gliding gaits: Their most prized characteristic is the running walk, but Walking Horses have three smooth gaits:

• The flat walk is a brisk, four-beat gait clocked at four to seven miles per hour. The horse overstrides - that is, his hind foot steps over the track left by the opposite front foot. Horses gently nod their heads in rhythm to their steps.

• The running walk is the breed's claim to fame. It's a four-beat lateral gait, which the Walking Horse can maintain for long distances at up to 10 miles per hour. Extremely smooth, this gait is well-suited to the trail.

• The canter is performed on the diagonal like other breeds, but with exceptional spring and lift. This gait inspired the comparison to a rocking chair. Sit back, and enjoy!

On the trail: Eight years ago, Sam Haggag, suffering from an old back injury, heard about the rocking-chair motion of the breed and went for a spin. He was smitten. Soon afterward, the Silicon Valley executive purchased a resort on California's northern coast and 15 Walking Horse geldings, and created the Blue Sky Riding Experience, open to the public.

"These horses have a smile in their eyes," Haggag says. "I've ridden since I was young, and I've never known horses with such sweet personalities and kind intentions. Add their rhythmic gaits, and the Tennessee Walking Horse will spoil you for anything else!"

The NWHA offers programs to acknowledge trail-riding accomplishments, including the High Mile Horse, High Mile Youth, and the appropriately named Iron Buns Adult Rider Award, for the person with the most hours on the trail. Notes the NWHA's Bell, "The Walking Horse's kindly personality and natural gaits- a glide of a ride- are perfectly suited to the trail."