Tennessee Walking Horse - What I Learned Today

Here are some things I learned about Tennessee Walking Horses.

• They have 3 special gaits. They are the flat-foot walk, the running walk, the rocking-chair canter.
• The Tennessee Walking Horse was first bred in Tennessee. 

• Tennessee Walking Horses live to be 20-30 years old.
• Tennessee Walking Horses are 15-17 hands from the ground to the top of their shoulders.
• Tennessee Walking Horses weight 1,000-1,200 pounds.
• Walkers have broad chests, short backs, muscular hindquarters, and long, full tails. 
• The first Walking Horse was born in 1837 in Kentucky and his name was Bald Stockings.
• During the Civil War many Confederate soldiers used Walking Horses.
• Tennessee Walking Horses give bounce free rides.
• Walkers are good horses for new riders and children.
• Walkers are a result of crossbreeding Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Morgans and American Saddlebacks on in Tennessee during 1800's.
• After the Civil War, breeders in the South wanted to keep the Walking Horse gait alive.



Photo credit

Here is the book we read The Tennessee Walking Horse by Charlotte Wilcox. You can buy it on Amazon or check your library.

Get your Tennessee Walking Horse filly coloring page here.

Remember if you ever see an injured or abused horse call a local rescue to help!

Gwyn