time out . Time shall be taken from the moment the exhibitor goes into the center of the ring EXCEPT in the event a horse casts a shoe , in which case the time out will not start until the farrier reaches the horse . The JUDGE will be held responsible for the timing unless an official timer is designated .
Any exhibitor receiving manual assistance from ringside will be charged with an automatic time out . An exhibitor may make minor adjustments in the curb chain while reversing his horse during a class without being penalized , but he may not dismount to do so . Otherwise he will be charged with a time out .
An exhibitor observed changing boots or other equipment , other than as described , shall be immediately disqualified from the class .
An official within the show ring shall be responsible for observing time out requests . These shall be recorded for reference during and after the show . When a time out is requested , if it is determined by the Ringmaster or Steward that no breakage of equipment or justifiable cause is involved , the exhibitor will be F^XCUSED from the ring .
No Trainer , Handler or Groom will be allowed in the ring unless called by the . Judge .
If an exhibitor voluntarily removed a horse from the show ring without permission of the Judge , Ringmaster or other official in the ring , the animal and the exhibitor shall be disqualified from further participation at that show .
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Horses entered in two-year-old , three-year-old or junior classes , with any scar , callus or granulated tissue on the pastern or coronet areas which can be detected from eye level , are ineligible for competition . Any substance ( such as black smear ) used on these areas is prohibited , whether or not it alters the natural color of the horse . Judges and / or Veterinarians must excuse any such entries . The height of the heels of the front hooves of the horse , including the shoe and the pad ( see diagram ). shall not be more than two-thirds ( 2 / 3 ) the length of the toe including the shoe and pad . For ex- N ample : on a 5 ” toe , the height of the heel measthe hairline must not exceed three and one / third inches ( 3-1 / 3 ” ). Horses with heels exceeding this standard must be excused by the Steward and / or Judge .
Horses having raw or bleeding sores in the pastern or coronet areas shall be disqualified by the Veterinarian and / or Judge and , once disqualified , will be disqualified for the balance of the show . Judges must disqualify any horse equipped with bands or pads , rubber or leather or any other such devices around the pastern area . Judges must disqualify any horse equipped with any
other artificial appliance except an inconspicuously applied tail brace , switch or humane tail and any type of boot other than those listed . Horses may be shown without boots .
EQUIPMENT
Boots — The accepted boot for Tennessee Walking Horses may be either a leather or rubber bell boot
( see picture ) or a Regulation Saddle Horse Boot . The inside of all boots must be smooth and free from loose or attached objects of any nature and must not have any sharp edges or points which touch or rub any part of the horse ’ s legs or feet . The lining of the boots must be smooth soft leather or felt . The bell portion of any boot used must be at least three inches in width or height . Boots must be free of any chains , ropes or other devices sewn into or onto the inside surface of the boot .
Bits — While any standard Walking Horse bit may be used , severe bits are discouraged and bleeding of the mouth or the muzzle must be penalized in the final judging .
Tail Brace — Walking Horses shall be shown ( except where specifically stated otherwise ) with an inconspicuously applied tail brace , switch or humane tail .
If an entry is EXCUSED from the ring for an infraction of the rules , the entry is eligible to show in a succeeding qualifying class , if the infraction can be corrected . A DISQUALIFIED entry is disqualified for the balance of the show .
CONFORMATION
In general conformation , the Tennessee Walking Horse should have an intelligent and neat head , well shaped and pointed ears , clear , alert eyes , 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 . Stiff-legged front or rear leg motion and twisting of the hocks , especially when entering the ring , are typical of the movement of a sore horse and the Judge MUST IMMEDIATELY EXCUSE horses exhibiting this type of motion from the ring .
( 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 and easy gait . Horses exhibiting an exaggerated , hesitating way of going , with a tendency to point or to strike the ground heel first , are not in form . Twisting of
the hocks or stiff-legged front or rear leg motion shall also be considered a deviation from true running walk and horses exhibiting these ways of going must be EXCUSED from the ring .