As a breed, the Tennessee Walking Horse exhibits more range and versatility perhaps than any other. Individuals often possess extreme talent, heart and kindness. Excellent candidates for most disciplines are found within this wonderful breed from smaller individuals, great riding horses for children, to large, hunter-jumper types. The majority of Walkers are typically between 15 and 16 hands tall. Some horses are a little more suited to western athleticism and endurance rides, while others may possess talents that distinguish them in other areas. While each individual has their own unique personality, a docile, willing attitude is almost universal.

Look for a compact, powerful, well-balanced frame. Horses should have short, strong backs relative to a longer underline. The topline to underline ratio plays an important role in balance, length and type of stride. The topline of the Tennessee Walking horse should be level, or slightly sloping to the hindquarters. The croup should be long with a good muscling and a well-set tail. The croup should slope moderately from the point of the hipbone to the point of the buttock. A medium length, strong neck that joins at approximately a 45-degree angle is desirable. The shoulder should be long and slope forward at a 45-degree angle from the withers to the point of the shoulder. The angle of the pastern should correspond to the angle of the shoulder. As viewed from the side, a properly balanced horse will be higher at the withers than at the croup. When the withers are higher than the croup, the hindquarters are positioned more under the body, which enhances the athletic ability of the horse. Strength of topline, which includes prominent withers, short, strong back and well –muscled loin, has a positive influence on soundness and athletic ability.

The hallmark of the Tennessee Walking Horse is his head-bobbing, ear-swinging, ground-covering running-walk. The gait is a square, four-beat gait that glides along at speeds up to 15 miles per hour or more as the horse pulls forward from the shoulder and drives in behind with his rear legs. Characteristic of the gait is the over stride in which the hind feet strike the ground ahead of the front hoof print. The flat-walk is a slow, confident, square gait, and the rolling, “rocking chair” canter are also natural to the breed. These gaits have been developed specifically to produce a very smooth ride and cannot be taught to any other breed.

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