1965-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1965 April Voice | Page 28

THIS
and
THAT!
By Miriam Merris
Humboldt, Iowa
Many volumes have been written about the
care, training and showing of the horse of the
tanbark. Every Tennessee Walking Horse owner
owes a debt to the fine breeders, trainers and
exhibitors of the show ring. Without them there
would remain no true breed nor development of
outstanding characteristics. Constant vigilance
must be kept to reproduce only with the best.
Competition is keen in the show ring - more so
each season. That is good, for it has resulted in
the upgrading of the Walker in fineness, confor­
mation and gait. The Tennessee Walking Horse
now stands second only to the Thoroughbred in
registration numbers. This is an outstanding
record and credit must be given to those devoted
to the promotion of this fine animal.
Every Walker breeder has high hopes for each
foal, yet he knows a very small percentage of
them will be top winners. Likewise, each colt the
trainer start s is a prospective blue, yet he too
realizes that many do not have that certain
something so special in a champion. Here then
are excellent horses, of good breeding with in­
herited gaits unique in the equine family.
For every show animal, there are hundreds of
horses whose owners keep them only for the en­
joyment and relaxation they provide. The added
advantage of good breeding far outweighs the
extra original cost. The Tennessee Walker is the
finest of pleasure horses. Outstanding in their
ride, they are alert, carry themselves proudly
and have unusually good dispositions.
Many trainers and exhibitors look upon the
pleasure horse owners as odd personalities -
incapable of appreciating fine show stock. This
is not true, for these are the people who make
up a large percentage of the show grandstands.
They are the enthusiastic supporters of their
favorite breed.
With more leisure time available, people in all
walks of life are able to do the things they enjoy.
Whether it be boats, fishing, golf or camping - to
name a few - each participant has his favorite
brand, type or style of equipment. So it is with
horses - each person has his own idea of breed
preference.
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People who ride for pleasure do so from choice.
Since there is no monetary gain involved, pur­
chasers look for a quality animal with style, good
disposition and easy gait. Few of these owners
have any knowledge of training techniques so
they want to buy a horse that has been well
trained and will respond readily to his rider under
any circumstances. The demand for good well-
trained personal mounts is growing rapidly, yet
the supply is very limited. Very few professional
horsemen have recognized this need - yet here
is a field unlimited.
A pleasure horse requires training as exacting
as his tanbark cousin, yet for an entirely different
environment. He will not be ridden in a ring or
training circle with fences or guard rails to con­
fine him, but will be free as a breeze in the great
outdoors with only a thin strip of leathers in the
hands of his rider to control him.
Since the horse is usually handled by only the
owner, a training technique should be used which
establishes mutual confidence between man and
animal. Pleasure horses are rarely kept in box
stalls - usually roaming large pastures. When
wanting to go for a ride, it is no pleasure to
waste time trying to catch this animal. Patience
wears thin and tempers flare. The horse must be
taught to come to the paddock or barn in response
to some established signal.
The rider is usually alone, so as a matter of
his personal safety, good barn manners are re­
quired of the mount. One that kicks, bites or
crowds is undesirable and dangerous. Authorities
of horse psychology contend that few horses are
naturally vicious but have become so from fear
or instinct of self-defense. If the handler disci­
plines himself to speak calmly and move smooth­
ly, many unpleasant situations can be avoided.
If the horse has been schooled to park and stay
until given a signal to move out, mounting will
be a simple affair. Unfortunately, this is one
phase of training so often neglected. The rider
is forced to follow the animal around in circles,
trying to get a foot in the stirrup. Other horses
stand quietly until a foot is in the iron - then
bolt. In either case, things get rather hectic
while the rider tries to scramble into the saddle.
When the rider is mounted, he wants his horse
to move out readily - no rearing, turning back
or balking at the gate.
The pleasure horse that is well trained and
alert actually seems to consider each ride a
great adventure. He goes many different paths
and sees new and exciting things each time he
is ridden. He must be schooled to accept all
these. He meets objects of all shapes, colors,
speeds and sounds. He must observe all and pass
with well-mannered poise. If his rider chooses to
stop and chat with a friend, he must stand quietly
and at ease, regardless of the confusion around
him, until signalled to move out.
In most cases, he wears shoes on well-balanced
hoofs. His feet touch various types of surfaces -
VOICE of The Tennessee Walking Horse