Tennessee Walking Horse: Breed Profile

With its distinctive running walk and smooth gaits, it’s no wonder that the Tennessee Walking Horse has become such a popular riding mount. Today, you’ll find these horses in the show ring, on the trails, and even in lesson barns, thanks to their docile personality and laid-back temperaments.

This breed has excellent stamina and is versatile enough to accommodate beginning riders as well as more advanced horsemen. These horses come in many different coat colors and feature a spirited, beautiful appearance that only enhances their performance both in and out of the show ring.

Tennessee Walking Horse History and Origins

The breed originated in the Bluegrass region of Tennessee during the late 19th century. Farmers in the region were looking for a horse that could not only work in the fields, but that could also be ridden under saddle comfortably. To create this smooth-riding, strong horse, farmers selectively bred together Thoroughbreds, Canadian Pacers, Saddlebreds, Morgans, American Standardbreds, and Narragansett Pacers.

The result of crossing these breeds was a gaited horse with a natural running walk. That horse could do both ranch work and offer its owners a comfortable, smooth ride. The breed gained in popularity and in 1935, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders & Exhibitors Association was founded.

In 2000, the Tennessee Walker became the official state horse of Tennessee.

Tennessee Walking Horse Size

This horse is often claimed to be elegant but mighty, standing at about 17 hands (or between 59 and 69 inches). The horse is solidly built but tends to have a sloping hip or shoulder. The head is well-defined with smaller, well-placed ears, and the horse has a number of gaits it can learn.

Breeding and Uses

Tennessee Walkers were bred to be versatile and talented, and that versatility remains with the breed today. You can find Tennessee Walkers doing countless jobs, from trail rides and endurance rides to performing in the show ring. These horses are ridden both English and Western, and many show horses are ridden saddle seat. Thanks to their great temperament, these horses also make patient lesson horses for younger riders.