What is your favourite horse breed, and why?
By Courtom
@Courtom (287)
Canada
March 10, 2008 1:35pm CST
I love Tennessee Walking Horses (TWH). I grew up with them. They are a gaited horse which means they do not trot. They have a gliding, natural running walk gait, the distinctive walking horse look, and a heart bigger than any mortal body can account for. The running walk is smooth and is much faster than a normal walk (8-10 miles) Most of my friends and fellow riders had to trot to keep up. A TWH's gait is a characterized four beat amble. 1-2-3-4 beat, with a rhythm and a footfall pattern identical to a regular walk or flat walk. The flat walk graduates to the running walk as the horse gains speed and takes a running step as it switches from one foot to the other. Meanwhile, the hind legs reach so far forward that it lands well past the track from the front foot on the same side. TWH's bob their head, flip flop their ears, and even clack their teeth together to keep time with the rhythm. It is very smooth and a great horse to ride for people with bad knees as there is no need to post. I have come in contact with many other great gaited horse breeds, but have fallen in love with the walker. They have a great temperament and trusting attitudes. They are versatile horses and can canter or gallop like any other horse. My TWH that I used to ride was amazing. We did everything from jumping, to western games, to hacking on the trails, goofing around, but most memorably, having a partnership so full of trust and love. So please tell me your stories, and advice about other horse breeds.
4 people like this
9 responses
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
11 Mar 08
I have never owned a horse, but I rode for years at a couple of different stables.
I went with a friend to a horse show to see her standardbred be shown. I have to say, the family was so wrapped up with showing that mare that the gal never got to ride her herself!
But, at that show, I was nearly mowed over by a Walker, that boy had feet the size of man hole covers! I don't blame the horse, but the jerk riding him.
My favorite horse, actually she was a pony at 13 3 was a mix breed - with mostly quarter horse traits with some arab thrown in. She was SMART.
she was a pretty buckskin with a bald face
I have a thing for buckskins and white noses... and she was the perfect merging of the 2
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
11 Mar 08
I met a horse who loved to stand on feet. She'd put her hoof down on the foot rather gently, then lean. The owner told me she did it every chance she got. But she'd never hurt anyone, well, it hurt, but it didn't DAMAGE! I thought it was funny - AFTER he got her off me!
1 person likes this
@Courtom (287)
• Canada
10 Mar 08
Arabians are high strung. My picture is one of my mother's friends horses, Flash. He is an Egyptian Arabian... and in my mind, completely insane. I have so many favorite horse colours. My tennessee walker that i sadly had to sell, named Thunder Heart, was black with four white socks and a star. I love the dark golden buckskins with the black masked faces, and stockings accented with the black mane and tail.
3 people like this
@Galena (9110)
•
11 Mar 08
I adore Friesians. they are magnificent animals.
I once had an Arab, who was a fantastic personality though. very playful, clever, and very very funny. a real sense of humour on that one.
but Friesians have, for many years been my "if money was no object" horse.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
10 Mar 08
I love Quarter Horses! I think they are soo beautiful! And they have great personalities! I also like Arabian horses, an amazingly beautiful breed! Very proud creatures!!! I would love to own one; but the cost and energy in owning a horse--not sure I can handle it! But I do love to ride them!
@wrongway (277)
• United States
11 Mar 08
I find beauty in all types of horses as each breed has a unique quality of its own. The smooth gait of the walker, the graceful arch of the neck and dished face of the arab, the sturdiness of the quarter horse. We own several horses including a Rocky Mountain, an Arab-cross, a Morgan-cross, a Draft-cross and I currently own my first TWH and will be breaking her to ride this summer and am so looking forward to it. I plan on using my walker for pleasure riding and I have a beautiful looking mutt (TB/TWH/Belgian cross) that I plan on using for endurance. Handsome is very dark brown that he almost looks black with a tail that drags the ground, forelock that hangs almost to his nose and eyes that warm your heart. His movement is very smooth due to the walker in him, and he has the long legs of the TB but the body build of the draft.
1 person likes this
@thunderrun (15)
• United States
11 Mar 08
I am a fan of the Thoroughbred!! They are graceful, elegant, majestic and can do anything! I had the pleasure of riding a couple of TWH. One was a Big Lick show horse and the other was a plantation shod stallion. I prefered the stallion to the show horse because I felt his gait was natural, not animated like the show horse. He was a dream to ride but I have that "need for speed"!!
I have several retired racehorses that we use for everything. I also train Thoroughbred racehorses and would like to invite everyone to see my website www.freewebs.com/thunderrun and meet the horses I have running right now.
2 people like this
@Courtom (287)
• Canada
11 Mar 08
Yes, the TB is one of my favourites, They are a little high strung in my book, and the one's off the tracks seem to need experienced riders. I don't agree with the Big Lick, they use weights to achieve the high leg action, and the horses hocks and joints are severely strained. Like you said, plantation walkers are very smooth and have a much more natural gait
1 person likes this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
19 Mar 08
I like all types of horse breeds and TWHs are really nice, but I don't think I've ever ridden one. I've never owned a horse, but used to ride at a stable pretty frequently, though not at all recently. They mostly owned Appaloosas. I almost bought one or two of them, but am glad I didn't because I was in college during that time and it would have been too much money and time for me. The only thing I don't like about Appaloosas is that they are a smaller breed and I'm a large person. There was one that was about 15 hands high that I liked to ride, though, and we seemed to "fit" well together.
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
22 Mar 08
I love the Austrakian Stock Horse. They are a great all rounder, from stocking cattle in the middle of the bush to winning medals in dressage. They become best mates with their owners and form a trustworthy bond. They are Beautiful looking horses (as all are).
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
11 Mar 08
I love Arabian horses, I always have they are absolutely stunning to look at and I was ready to be disappointed when I actually got to ride one but I wasn't. It was amazing, they are so responsive and I don't mind their fiery temperament at all, in fact I prefer a horse with spirit.
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
11 Mar 08
They do teach you to be ultra gentle though, as the slightest touch and they're gone lol. I just prefer over responsive to under responsive, I suppose. Too many hours and too much effort to get an under responsive horse to move faster than a walk.
@Courtom (287)
• Canada
11 Mar 08
Yes, a horse with spirit, smarts, and bravery. It's the skittish ones, the shy, or over responsive, bossy wee buggers I have no time for. I have had experience with with a few Arabians. I took lessons on a older Grey Arab gelding. He still had a little bounce to his step for his age, and patience with me as I learned, I won't ever forget.
1 person likes this
