1963-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1963 October Voice | Page 6

tehnbkewuing H0RSE Pleasure Horse On Trail In Show Quite Different From Linda Babcock, 829 Davis St., Kalamazoo, Mien, comes an interest­ ing letter some ol our Voice friends will surely want to answer. She wants more information on the difference of the Tennessee Walking Pleasure Horse for the trial and for the show ring. “My idea ol a pleasure horse, ’ she says, “is a horse that one can ride on a trail ride, over rough ground, through streams and maybe even jump a little. “But at a horse show when they have a pleasure horse class the sup­ posed pleasure horses come snorting into the ring at a much faster running walk and more ac tion than you would ever need on an actual trail ride. Many have set tails, perhaps not cut, but not natural either. “To top it off these pleasure horses are often carrying two and a half to three pounds of weight on their hooves. "How can any pleasure horse save his tendons on a trail ride carrying that much weight on his hooves? These are qualities of amateur and open class horses, not the easy riding, Ren tie true pleasure horse. “Why do they call these horses that carry so much weight and are so keyed up to show—pleasure horses? Are we not disillusioning the public. “1 would appreciate any help you fan give on these questions.’’ "WALKER” 1 aids pacing a little bit gesterda.g...r October Trusting him to the task, my e drank in the mountainous wilderne S about us. Pure sweet morning ah wildlife scampering from the bushes and the distant wooded slopes veiled in blue haze assured us of our depar­ ture from civilization. As the trail led us higher, each turn revealed its breathtaking view of the valleys and mountains. Truly here is what beckons the trail rider. Across the wooded ravine we see our trail winding around a far moun­ tain slope. And behold! wc arc not alone. A horse and rider appear. They too are headed toward the summit. There is something special about that pair. Hoping for a closer look, we take a canter when the trail widens. Upon (Note—Mr. and Mrs. Nat Curry of another glimpse at the trail rider above Black Watch Stables, Maple Valley, us, I begin to smile. My horse pricks Wash., have written us a beautiful his ears and nickers. The slopes around article about a trail ride. They ride in us echo with a dozen nickers. the “wilderness” trails of Washington Now we can see them clearly. The State at every opportunity. Seven Ten­ horse moves swiftly, yet accurately nessee Walking Horses in their stables along the narrow trail. Sure is cover­ prove their belief that the breed is ing ground and yet. . . the rider sits putting pleasure into trail riding. so still. The rider’s eyes are on the Training Walking Horses for trail and panorama around him; it is apparent pleasure riding is Lane’s hobby. the landscape is not bouncing despite He says it’s easy due to the quiet the speed of the horse. What kind of disposition and sensible nature of the gait can this be? The horse seems to breed. The Currys also keep busy as leaders of a 32-member 4-H Horse be preoccupied with his own rhythm. His head is nodding with each step; Club and are active in the Tennessee he seems to be rocking his rider yet Walking Horse Exhibitors’ & Breed­ ers’ Assn, of Washington (one of the the rider’s body is moving forward in finest state organizations for this a smooth, straight line. The one s breed, Tom Fulton tells me at the of this pair is fascinating. Lewisburg office of the Breeders’ About the time we catch them, t Assn.) Mrs. Lane Curry sat right break into a canter. Where hay down and wrote this wonderful report ever seen such a thrilling sight! 1 right after returning from a trail ride. truly a rolling “rocking-chair” mot! It is a priceless memoir written by not too fast, not too high, with h- a sensitive person—the kind of ma­ set up, netek slightly arched,^ c, terial that will make Voice subscribers slightly tucked and head motion want to keep all their magazines for­ time with leg movement. I smile ag ever and read them over and over. as my horse increases his speed. Mrs. Curry said, “I have been terribly We are very near to them now. wanting to express my deep admira­ mount is warm with the exertion tion of Walking Horses to the world climbing. Listen to the square thun., . .. somehow, and here it is. My hus­ ing beat of that horse’s hooves as the^ band and I are 30 years old now, and hit the ground solidly with a 1, 2, a, we fully expect to be able to enjoy beat—on all four corners! And te riding, thanks to Walking Horses, 30 gives the appearance of gliding along to 50 years from now. Yours for the with effortless ease. , love of the Tenn. Walking Horse.” Only vaguely am I aware of wi CI Nat Curry. (I have guessed that Nat ness around us for my eyes are Curry must be another name for Mrs. on the intricate movement of Lane Curry). Here is her wonderful horse’s legs ahead of me. Have I 1 ? memoir of a trail ride: (BAG) covered the secret of the smooth ri • FOR THE LOVE OF THE His hind legs are reaching far un TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE him with each step. Leaning over r By MRS. LANE CURRY saddle to examine the hoofpnn Black Watch Stables smile again, observing that the 1 Maple Valley, Washington hoof overstrides the front hoo p My horse was carefully picking his by about 20 inches in smooth goin-?'. way along the rugged mountain trail. Now we are riding side by S1 ’ (Continued on PaSe