[Texasgirl]

[KhazarKhum]

My horses are all Tennessee Walkers. When I started taking riding lessons, I wanted to ride hunters. The stable where I went was a Walker stable, and out of curiosity I rode one. No more hunters after that!

For those who don't know, Tennessee Walkers, Missouri Foxtrotters,
Icelandics and a few others are what are known as gaited horses. Instead of the usual, rough-riding 2-beat trot, they perform a 4-beat gait that is smooth to the rider(and easier on the horse). Fossil tracks from equine ancestors show that the gaits have been around for a long, long time.

Gaited horses were the preferred means of transportation until the advent of better roads, elaborate carriages, and the Thoroughbred. They began to fall out of favor in the mid-1600s. Fortunately, most gaited stock was either sent off to places like the Americas, where they have thrived; or in isolated places, like Iceland.

So today we have the Paso Fino & Peruvian Paso of S. America, and the various Walkers & Foxtrotters of N America.

The gaits are present from birth--our newest baby does a nice little running walk.

[Texasgirl]

I rode a Walker once! Khaz, coming from a Quarter girl, I can say that it was truly one of the most bizarre experiences I've had on a horse. My friend Kate was on the fence cracking up like there was no tomorrow. But he was reallly smooth onece I got the hang of it!!

[Eyborg]

Sheesh, I'm always so late in answering threads, but...

KhazarKhum, that's a very interesting info! Thanks! I myself am not the best expert on horses (although I do love them), but I know that Icelandic horses have always been good at riding, like you said, where there are no "proper roads" so to speak. They are absolutely no racehorses but they're very good at riding long distances, because they're very strong compared to their size. And in Iceland we didn't have any "real roads" until the 20th century, when the first cars began to arrive here...

We actually do have quite a few animal breeds here (horses, cows, sheep and dogs), which don't exist anymore in other parts of the world. Although the Icelandic sheepdog breed is very similar to Greenland sled dogs and Siberian Huskies, although much smaller.

[KhazarKhum]

I believe that the Mearas, and perhaps a few other horses, are gaited. It only takes one long ride to conclude that it is, indeed, a divine gift!

Eyborg, are all the unique animals descended from early imports?

[Texasgirl]

god, i think one of my favorite parts of TTT is when shadowfax lopes up that hill with his mane waving. *sigh*

[inglor]

RE:Shadowfax entrance, gave me goosebumps. He was such a badass. My favorite is still Goliath the Freisian in the movieLadyhawke

Uncle had a Walker in his stable of 7 other types, mostly muts and 1 Quarter (who had an ATTITUDE). BIG girl, 17-18 hds. Spent a summer on his farm once and I rode just about every day.
She was calm, quiet, and unrattleable, got me out of more than one tight spot. You could drop the reigns and she would stop. Lazy walk but Scary fast when she had the mind to really run. Smooth as glass, you could drink a beer on her back. Really miss that horse. Had to sell her when he died. (He was also a large animal vet...)

1dayI will have horses...dammit

Inglor

[Eyborg]