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THE TENNESSEE
WALKING HORSE
The History:
This member of the light breeds
of the equine family is no mystery horse, nor is there anything magic or
difficulty in understanding about his makeup. In the beginning came
the Narragansett and Canadian Pacer. The war between the States occasioned
the crossbreeding of the Confederate Pacers and Union Trotters; thus the
Southern Plantation Walking Horse or Tennessee Pacer came into being.
Next came the blood of the Thoroughbred, Standard Bred, Morgan and American
Saddle Bred. All were fused into one animal in the middle Tennessee
bluegrass region. The result, over countless years, was the "world's
greatest show, pleasure and trail horse," - the first breed of horse to bear
the state name - The Tennessee Walking Horse.
For those who think the Walking
Horse is comparatively new on the equine scene, pages of history reflect
the strong influence this animal has had in the building of this great land
and in the daily lives of our forefathers. Mainly used for utility
and riding stock, he gained wide popularity for this ease of gait and ability
to stride faultlessly over hills and through the valleys of the rocky middle
Tennessee terrain. Being used as a utility animal for all types of
farm work, as well as family transportation and recreation, the old Plantation
type horse was not trained for showing in those days. This natural
gait was most often inherited from his breeding.
In 1885, a cross between a stallion
called Allendorf from the Hamiltonian family of trotters, and Maggie Marshall,
a Morgan mare, resulted a black colt with a white blaze, off hind coroner
and near hind sock, Black Allan, foal of 1886. He was later to be
chosen by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' Association as the foundation
sire of the Tennessee Walking Horse and designated as Allan F-1. It
was a cross between Allan and the Tennessee Pacer that produced today's Tennessee
Walking Horse.
The Tennessee Walking Horse has
impressed the nation with its gentle disposition and its kindly manner,
and continues to prove itself as one of the most versatile horses in the
land.
This docile temperament, together
with its smooth and easy gaits, has caused it to be much in demand in all
sections of the country. It serves nobly as an English or Western
pleasure mount and has taken the young, the aged, the timid, as well as
the experienced riders along pleasant paths and trails.
More information at www.twhbea.com or www.crtwh.ca
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