The inside of all boots must be smooth and re loose objects of any nature and must not h e a sharp edges or points which touch or rub an * P the horse ’ s legs or feet . The lining of leath must be smooth , soft leather or felt . Any yp boot must be at least two inches in height . Bits - While any standard Walking Horse bit may be used , severe bits are discouraged and bleeding o mouth or the muzzle must be penalized in the ina
Taif Brace - Walking Horse shall be shown ( except
where specifically stated otherwise ) with an inconspicuously applied tail brace , switch or humane tail .
Conformation — In general conformation the Tennessee Walking Horse should have an intelligent an neat head , well shaped and pointed ears , clear , alert eves and a tapered muzzle . The neck should be long and graceful . The shoulders should be muscular and well sloping . The back should be short with good coupling at the loins . The chest should be deep in the girth , well ribbed , full in the flanks , and of good proportion and width in the chest . The croup is generally sloping . The hips should be well muscled and this
development will usually extend well down toward the hocks . Legs should be flat and cordy . Bone should be dense and hard , and hoofs should be of ample size . The hair should be soft and silky with thin hide . Except as to walking ponies , which shall be 14.2 hands and under , the horses should be from 15 to 16 hands in height with an occasional individual over or under and from 1000 to 1200 pounds in weight .
Gaits — The qualifying gaits are : ( a ) The flat walk : true , square and flat with a cadenced head motion . ( b ) The running walk : a smooth , gliding overstepping , four cornered gait , the horse having stride and head motion . The running walk should be a free easy gait .
Horses exhibiting an exaggerated , hesitating way of going , with a tendency to point or to strike the ground heel first with the front feet , are not in form . Twisting of the hocks or stiff legged rear leg motion shall also be considered a deviation from the true running walk . ( c ) The canter : smooth and straight on both leads , not walking behind but cantering on both ends with a rolling motion — comfortably in hand . Exaggerated '’ pumping ” of the horse at the canter is not considered good form .
Judges shall penalize extries out of form . At all gaits the horse should be flexed at the poll with the muzzle slightly tucked . A tendency to rack , pace , slow-gait , or any other deviation from the true gaits shall be penalized .
Judging System — The percentages of merit for the gaits and conformation of the Tennessee Walking Horse in the showring shall be as follows :
Two-Year-Old Walking Horses : To be judged 50 % for running walk , 25 % for flat walk , and 25 % for conformation .
Three-Year-Old Walking Horses : To be judged 40 % for running walk , 20 % for flat walk , 20 % for canter and 20 % for conformation . ter
Junior Walking Horses - Four Years Old and Under To be judged 40 % for running walk , 20 % for flat walk " 20 % for canter and 20 % for conformation .
Age Walking Horses - Five Years Old and Over- To be judged 40 % for running walk , 20 % for flat walk ,
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20 % for canter and 20 % for conformation Thr Four-Year-Old Horses may be exhibited in Ageclas " ° r Ladies Walking Horse Amateur ( Mares and Cyeu ***'
to be ridden by ladies - STALLIONS PROHIBIT^ ?? 8 To be judged 40 % for running walk , 20 % for flat w 20 % for canter and 20 % for conformation . NOTFlions may be shown in a LADIES OPEN CLASz1
Open Walking Horse Amateur ( Ladies may show Sfai lions in this class ): To be judged 40 % for runnin walk , 20 % for flat walk , 20 % for canter and 20 % f conformation .
0 or
Juvenile Walking Horses : To be judged 40 % for ning walk , 20 % for flat walk , 20 % for canter and 20 % for conformation . 0
Walking Pony : Open to stallions , mares and geldings who shall be 14.2 hands and under . To be judged 40 % 40 % for running walk , 20 % for flat walk , 20 % for cam ter and 20 % for conformation . To be shown exclusively by Juvenile or Junior Exhibitor with Amateur status .
Walking Horse Pleasure Classes : Open to stallions , mares and geldings . ( Shows may divide class by rider ’ s age and / or horse ’ s age or sex or limit to amateurs , or open class .) To be judged on three gaits as to pleasurable handling and riding characteristics with light rein and to true road and trail qualities . Disposition , mouth manners , responsiveness to rider , soundness and conformation to be considered . To stand quietly and back readily . SET TAILS , BOOTS
AND ARTIFICIAL APPLIANCES PROHIBITED ; ONE PAD IS PERMISSIBLE . Horses competing in Pleasure Classes are ineligible to compete in any other classes at the same show in which the performance of the horse is the deciding factor .
Definitions —
Amateur — An amateur is a person who does not engage in the breeding , boarding , schooling , buying , selling , dealing in or hiring out horses as a principal means of his livelihood ; does not accept remuneration for employment , either in part or in full , in connection with horses in showing , livery or boarding stables , riding academy or rodeo .
Juvenile ( Junior Exhibitor ) — An exhibitor is classified as a juvenile or junior if they have not reached
their eighteenth birthday prior to January 1st . The age of the individual on January 1st shall be maintained throughout the entire year .
Appointments —
Bridle - Standard Walking Horse bridle , complete with
cavesson and browband to suit the horse . No horse shall be shown with breast plate , tie-down or martingale .
Saddle - Flat English-type saddle , leather lining preferred , either standard or cut-back accepted . Girth either leather or web . Forward seat or Western saddles prohibited .
Dress ( Riding Habit ) - The rider shall be attired in a neat , well-fitting riding habit . The color should complement the horse . Informal attire ( as opposed to jormal ) is generally accepted for men , women and juvenile riders . A white shirt with a neat collar well m place is recommended . A tie , either bow , crossover or straight with a tie clasp , is preferred . A bourur + meie ^real or artificial ) is recommended to complete the ensemble for the well-dressed Walking Horse exhibitor ( see illustrations ).
Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse