Its unique gate, which looks like a running gait, gives it its name. It is heavier and stronger than the American Saddle Horse and likes to keep its head down. It is mainly used for riding. The unique gate allows the rider to keep a steady pace while riding along a fence. Continue reading to learn more about the Tennessee Walking Horse and decide if it is for you.
Tennesee Walking Horses: Quick Facts
| Species Name: | E. Ferus |
| Family: | Equidae |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Climate: | All Climates |
| Temperament: | Docile, intelligent and willing to please |
| Color Form: | Buckskin, black chestnut, grey, palomino brown, grullo |
| Lifespan: | 30 Years of Age |
| Size: | 14 – 17 Hands |
| Diet: | Herbivore |
| Minimum Pen Size: | 50 to 60 feet |
Tennessee Walking Horse Overview
The Tennessee Walking Horse has a long life expectancy and is a horse that’s easy to handle. They are often found in the show ring, where they excel in fence jumping and other activities. But this breed is also popular for pleasure riding.
It’s not easy to spook, so you can ride it on trails or in the city. You can also see it in many old westerns and movies. It is intelligent and easy to train.
What is the price of Tennessee Walking Horses?
Tennessee Walking Horses cost an average of $2,000, but prices can vary depending on the number of breeders in your area as well as demand. You will have to pay more if you want your horse broken in or trained at the time of purchase. A fully-trained horse can cost up to $10,000.
Typical behavior & Temperament
It is easy to train the Tennessee Walker for the show ring. It loves to be around people and is active. If you want to make it move more dramatically for competitions, you might need professional help. You will find that your horse enjoys being brushed, but some may get upset if you don’t spend enough time with him. So, you should plan to spend at least several hours with him each day.
Appearance and Varieties
The Tennessee Walking Horse can reach heights of up to 17 hands. It has a long, well-defined neck.
The pinto pattern is usually available in a variety of colors. You may see the bay, black chestnut, cream, and other colors. The four-beat gate keeps the horse’s hooves firmly on the ground, making it a more comfortable ride. It is possible to improve the gate through training but it cannot be taught to a horse that doesn’t know how.
Tennessee Walking Horses: How to Care for Them
Setup & Habitat Conditions for Pens
Some experts suggest a circular pen that has a diameter of between 50 and sixty feet, while others recommend one as high as 65 or more feet. The larger pens allow your horse to go faster, reducing the strain on their inner joints. However, they will make you run more when you’re not riding.
You will need to provide shelter for your horse from the rain and snow. As long as your horse has a 12-foot by 12-foot area, any enclosure will do. A barn or stable is a popular choice, but a three-sided enclosure can also be used if it doesn’t get cold. This enclosure will require a lot of hay for your horse’s comfort. You will need a large tank of water since your horse can consume several gallons per day.
Do Tennessee Walking Horses get along with other pets?
The Tennessee Walking Horse is a friendly horse that rarely gets aggressive with other horses or people. Most animals won’t bother it, but some dogs with a strong herding instinct might try to chase it.
How to feed your Tennessee Walking Horse
Your Tennessee Walking Horse eats mostly hay and grass. You may not have to feed your horse much if you live in southern states or have a lot of lands. In the winter when your horse spends more time inside the shelter, you may need to add hay. Vegetables and fruit are also good for your horse and they can provide them with nutrients.
Keep Your Tennessee Walking Horse Healthy
Tennessee Walking horses are a breed that is hardy and has few health issues. They can live up to 30+ years. A healthy horse is best achieved by providing it with a nutritious diet and lots of exercises. Over time, an animal in a shelter may become overweight. Affected animals may also experience muscle atrophy, making them more susceptible to injury and falling. If left untreated, the added strain on joints caused by obesity and little muscle can lead to arthritis or even lameness.
Breeding
Most experts suggest renting a stallion to mares who are interested in breeding Tennessee Walking horses.
This system allows you to have the horses delivered to you and only collect the money. You need to be familiar with genetics and the stages of pregnancy in horses, including birth if you want to successfully breed mares. If you want to create a brand new breed then you’ll need all of this information.
Do Tennessee Walking Horses suit you?
Anyone looking for a perfect riding horse will find the Tennessee Walking Horse to be a great choice. The calmness of the Tennessee Walking horse means that it won’t be frightened by traffic or dog barks, and it will therefore not throw you. The walking gate is unique and provides a smoother ride for both children and elderly people. The gate is available in a variety of colors, and it has a long lifespan. It will give you endless hours of enjoyment.
You may have found this detailed look at the Tennessee Walking horse to be interesting and decided to buy one for your farm. Please share this guide on Tennessee Walking horses if you learned something new that could help others.
What makes a Tennessee Walking Horse unique?
The Tennessee Walking Horse is known for its calm demeanor and naturally smooth riding stride. While the horses are known for their dazzling movement, they are also popular for trail, pleasure, and show riding. The Tennessee Walking Horse is most recognized for its fast-paced gait.
How old are Tennessee Walkers?
Tennessee Walkers are popular as both show horses and leisure horses. When given great care, they can live for up to 30 years.
Are Tennessee Walkers mistreated?
Tennessee walking horses, famed for their gentle nature and smooth stride, are frequently subjected to soring. Other gaited breeds are also affected, including racking horses and spotted saddle horses. A sored horse’s life is filled with dread and suffering.
Tennessee Walkers are simple keepers.?
Tennessee Walkers are easy to raise and do well on simply fresh grass hay. These horses are mostly disease-free, however Navicular disease and laminitis are a problem. Moreover, foot issues are widespread as a result of competition or exhibition
How fast can a Tennessee Walking Horse go?
The Tennessee Walking Horse is commonly linked with the running walk. Although the running walk has the same footfall pattern as the conventional walk, the pace is substantially quicker. These horses have a top speed of 10-20 mph (16-32 km/h).
Tennessee Walkers are they quick?
Walkers can travel at rates ranging from 6 to 12 miles per hour for extended distances without tiring themselves or their passengers.
How do Tennessee Walkers get their training?
Is a Tennessee Walker an appropriate first horse? Generally, Tennessee Walking Horses are ideal starter horses because they possess all of the characteristics required to be an outstanding choice for rookie riders: they are sure-footed, willing, have a smooth gait, and a calm demeanor.
Are Tennessee walking horses appealing?
Outside of Europe, several prominent American breeds are also warmbloods, such as the Quarter Horse and Tennessee Walking Horse, which have a mix of cold and hot blood heritage.
What breeds are used to create the Tennessee Walking Horse?
The state horse is the Tennessee Walking Horse. The breed was developed in the late 1800s/early 1900s and is derived from Standardbred, Morgan, Saddlebred, and American Thoroughbred ancestry. Walking horses are gaited and are noted for their running walk, which is a much quicker variation of the four-beat walk.