APRIL 1997 BACK ISSUE

Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 4/1/97; 10:00:00 AM.

The Tennessee Walking Horse

By Grace Larson

The Tennessee Walking Horse was first bred 150 years ago in the central basin of Tennessee from Thoroughbred, Standardbred, Morgan, and American Saddle Horses. The Tennessee Walking Horse is a tough breed with great stamina with many horses working long after the age of 20. The black stallion, Sun's Remembrance, is 30 years old and still standing at stud. It isn't unusual for Tennessee Walking mares to produce foals when they are over twenty years of age; some have produced while in their early thirties.

"If You Ride One Today You'll Own One Tomorrow" is the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeder & Exhibitors Association motto. Close to 300,000 horses have been registered since the TWHBEA was formed in 1935. The smooth and easy gaits allow the rider to stay comfortable in the saddle for many hours. With increased interest in trail and endurance rides, the riding value of the Tennessee Walker steadily climbs.

The versatile Tennessee Walking Horse is suitable for ranch work; they are excellent reining and cutting horses. I rode a walking horse stallion in the 1950s that would cut cattle and horses with ease. He was smooth and he was fast. Earl Jones, of Powell, Wyoming said he used his horses for roping and ranch work as well as hunting, packing and pleasure riding. One of the greatest "pony" horses Ross Howell, of Polson, MT ever used on the race track during the 1970s was a 17 hand buckskin Tennessee Walker gelding. His picture has a prominent place in Ross & Amy Howell's home today. Miller Outfitters of Great Falls, Montana has used Tennessee Walkers for over 25 years.

Two spotted Tennessee Walkers won 3 of six Team Penning Events at the Northwest Team Penning Assoc. event held in Spokane, Washington. (April 1996) Tom Schenk won with his spotted gelding, then using his wife's spotted mare won two more rounds.

Kathie and Gary Sandlin are Colorado ranchers who raise cattle and Tennessee Walkers. They put their Tennessee Walker mare, 1988's Miss Molly, with Quarter Horse Trainer & National Reining Horse Association Judge, Guy Vernon, and left her there for extensive training. Gary and Molly rode in a Green Rider/ Green Horse class at the Summer Slide NRHA Show which had 71 entries and placed 42nd.

Tennessee Walkers are also used for driving, jumping, and western style gaming events. And if the owner's preference is the show ring, these versatile horses can compete in Model, English, and Western classes. One of our stallions placed well in the Eastern Montana All Breed Show circuit. Marcia Bennett's Tennessee Walker gelding earned High Point in Novice Trail on this same show circuit.

Because of its very smooth ride & gentle disposition the Tennessee Walking Horse can be ridden by all age groups. This horse is frequently seen in programs that offer riding to the handicapped. Frequently, choosing a Tennessee Walker becomes necessary for those riders who have back problems.

Because of their dispositions people of all ages can enjoy these gaited horses. The elderly occupants of our local rest home enjoyed petting one of our gentle mares when we stopped to visit, after being in the parade. She calmly walked to each person and stood quietly for them to pet and enjoy, but she wouldn't eat the watermelon that was offered! This took place on the grounds in front of the care center with several people confined to wheel chairs.

These horses can flat-foot walk at speeds of four to seven miles per hour. The running walk is a very smooth ground covering eight to ten miles per hour. The Tennessee Walker is also famous for its Rocking Chair Canter which is a collected version of a gallop. Tennessee Walkers can change leads with ease including flying lead changes.

If you are the owner of a mare or mares, the Tennessee Walker crosses very well with all breeds. There are several Associations that provide registration for the foals.

Some of the famous walking horse owners are Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey, and even Oprah Winfrey. Elvis Presley's father was enjoying a ride on a Tennessee Walker in an old biographical film I happened to see recently.

Roy Rogers purchased Allen's Gold Zephyr TWHBEA #431975 from Paul K. Fisher of Souderton, Pennsylvania. Mr. Fisher was known for having the largest breeding farm in the United States for both Palomino Tennessee Walkers and Palomino Quarter Horses. Zephyr was highly schooled and could accomplish a variety of difficult tricks. This Tennessee Walker became known as Trigger Jr.

Gene Autry owned several Tennessee Walkers. Stonewall Allen TWHBEA #360159 was foaled March 20, 1934. Red Cloud V. was foaled May 9, 1964 on the Calvin Miller ranch at Rhame, North Dakota. His great-great grandsire was the sorrel walking horse stallion I rode in the fifties. Calvin Miller sold him to Dr. Owen Vowell of El Paos, Texas. Dr. Vowell sold him to Gene Autrey. These became two of Gene Autry's "Champions."

Oprah Winfrey bought her beautiful black stallion, W W Trailmaster, from a Washington State walking horse breeder.

A word of warning though: Be careful because "If You Ride One Today, You Will Own One Tomorrow."

A list of Tennessee Walking Horse Owners and Breeders in your area is available by calling the TWHBEA at 1-800-359-1574.