Home › Horse Breeds A–Z › Tennessee Walking Horse

Tennessee Walking Horse

Equus ferus caballus

Tennessee Walking Horse standing in profile
Photo: Just chaos — CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The smooth-gaited Southern show horse — famous for a gliding four-beat 'running walk' you can sit all day.

TypeLight / ridingBest asRiding & familyOriginAmericas

How to spot it

A tall, refined horse of about 14.3 to 17 hands (150 to 173 cm) in many colours. The giveaway is movement, not looks: a running walk in which the hind feet overstep the front prints, nodding the head in time.

Temperament

Calm, gentle and willing — bred as a comfortable all-day plantation and trail mount, it suits nervous and older riders.

What it's bred for

Developed in Tennessee for a smooth ride over long distances; now a popular trail and show breed valued above all for its gaits.

Care & upkeep

Straightforward to keep. Buyers should know that the breed has a serious welfare history of 'soring' — deliberately hurting the legs to exaggerate the gait — so choose flat-shod, sound-trained horses and reputable yards.

Health & lifespan

Around 28 to 30 years. A generally hardy, sound breed when kept and trained humanely.

Dog Breeds A–Z →Popular and Indian native dog breeds, with pictures.Animals A–Z →Well-known wild animals and India's own wildlife.Animals for sale →Horses and other animals listed by owners near you.
← Back to all horse breeds