Horse · United States
Tennessee Walking Horse
also: TWH / Tennessee Walker / Walking Horse / Plantation Walking Horse
Equiteca Editorial · Reviewed 2026-08-30 · 2 sources
The Tennessee Walking Horse is a gaited breed founded in middle Tennessee from Narragansett, Canadian Pacer, Standardbred, Thoroughbred, Morgan, and American Saddlebred stock, with the 1886 foal Black Allan recognized as its foundation sire. Its signature is the running walk, a smooth four-beat gait that covers ground at up to about 8 mph while the rider stays nearly still in the saddle. The breed registry, TWHBEA, was formed in 1935 to record bloodlines and promote the breed. Most stand 14.3 to 17 hands and weigh roughly 410 to 545 kg, with a tall, upstanding frame and a gentle disposition that makes it a favorite trail and pleasure mount. Buyers should know the breed carries a well-documented welfare problem, soring, which federal law works to stamp out.
At a glance
Tall and upstanding; most stand 15 to 16 hands, taller than many stock breeds.
Temperament
Suited to
On price
Sound flat-shod trail and pleasure horses commonly sell for 2,500 to 8,000 USD; proven show bloodlines run higher.
Care needs
Tennessee Walking Horses are generally sound and thrive on forage with routine hoof care every 6 to 8 weeks and a standard vaccination and deworming schedule. Buyers should choose flat-shod, naturally gaited horses and steer clear of the stacked pads and action devices tied to soring. A pre-purchase exam that checks the front legs and feet for past soring is worth the cost.
Common health issues
Soring (a welfare and legal issue)
Soring is the deliberate infliction of pain on a horse's front legs and feet, with chemicals or mechanical devices, to force the exaggerated high-stepping 'big lick' gait in the show ring. It is cruel, illegal under the federal Horse Protection Act of 1970, and enforced by USDA APHIS. Buyers should look for naturally gaited, flat-shod horses and inspect for scarring or sensitivity on the lower front legs.
Generally sound and long-lived
Away from the show abuses, the breed is hardy and often lives into its early thirties, with no signature crippling genetic disorder. Most care comes down to sensible feeding, dental work, and routine veterinary and farrier visits.
PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy)
As a gaited breed, some Tennessee Walking Horses can carry PSSM, a muscle disease that causes tying-up and stiffness. It is managed with a low-starch, high-fat diet and consistent daily exercise, and a DNA test can confirm PSSM type 1.
Colors
black, bay, chestnut, roan, palomino, buckskin, sabino, gray
Questions people ask
What is the running walk?
The running walk is the breed's signature gait: a smooth, four-beat movement in which the hind feet overstep the front tracks and the horse glides forward at up to about 8 mph. The rider feels almost no bounce, which is why the breed is so popular for long trail days.
What is soring and is it legal?
Soring is deliberately hurting a horse's front legs and feet to force a higher, flashier gait for the show ring. It is illegal under the federal Horse Protection Act of 1970 and enforced by USDA APHIS, though the practice has persisted in parts of the show world. Buy flat-shod, naturally gaited horses.
Are Tennessee Walking Horses good for beginners?
Often yes. The breed is gentle, calm, and gives an exceptionally smooth ride, which suits new and older riders on the trail. As always, judge the individual horse and its training, and check its legs for any history of soring.
How long do Tennessee Walking Horses live?
They are hardy and long-lived, commonly reaching their late twenties to early thirties with good care. A sound, well-kept flat-shod horse can stay comfortable under saddle well into old age.
Keep reading
Sources
Every figure on this page traces to one of these. We cite registries, associations, government and veterinary bodies, and published cost surveys - not other blogs.
- [1]The Breed- Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association2026registryBreed origin from Narragansett, Canadian Pacer, Standardbred, Thoroughbred, Morgan, and Saddlebred stock; foundation sire Black Allan; the running walk and other gaits; TWHBEA founded 1935.
- [2]Horse Protection Act- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service2026govThe Horse Protection Act works to end soring, the intentional infliction of pain on a horse's legs to exaggerate its gait; APHIS monitors shows and can disqualify sored horses.