The Most Misunderstood Horse - The Tennessee Walking Horse
By Gaye DeRusso
The Tennessee Walking Horse is one of the most amazing horses, but also one of the most misunderstood horses. It is a mix of breeds that formed the Tennessee Walking Horse. And what it was made to be many years ago, is not what many are made to be today.
It was bred to be a smooth gaited horse, that had great endurance and could work all day around flat and hilly areas. Years ago it looked more like a normal horse, but today the Tennessee Walking Horse has taken on many different forms.
There are ones that are bred more pacey, more lanky, more narrow and more loose in its joints and there are ones that are wider, stockier and thicker bone. Some are pacey, some are trotty and some just gait.
What is considered neurologic in any other breed is a normal finding in most walking horses. So what do vets consider to be a sign of a neurologic horse.
Overstride, and forging - These are bred into the walking horse.
Drags Toes
Wobbles
Weak Backend
Wide base stance
Doesn't put legs back when they are placed crossing each other
Foot placement
Tail Pull
Back legs swing out in a small circle
Poking feet with pen
By Gaye DeRusso
The Tennessee Walking Horse is one of the most amazing horses, but also one of the most misunderstood horses. It is a mix of breeds that formed the Tennessee Walking Horse. And what it was made to be many years ago, is not what many are made to be today.
It was bred to be a smooth gaited horse, that had great endurance and could work all day around flat and hilly areas. Years ago it looked more like a normal horse, but today the Tennessee Walking Horse has taken on many different forms.
There are ones that are bred more pacey, more lanky, more narrow and more loose in its joints and there are ones that are wider, stockier and thicker bone. Some are pacey, some are trotty and some just gait.
What is considered neurologic in any other breed is a normal finding in most walking horses. So what do vets consider to be a sign of a neurologic horse.
Overstride, and forging - These are bred into the walking horse.
Drags Toes
Wobbles
Weak Backend
Wide base stance
Doesn't put legs back when they are placed crossing each other
Foot placement
Tail Pull
Back legs swing out in a small circle
Poking feet with pen