1965-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1965 April Voice | Page 28

THIS and THAT! By Miriam Merris Humboldt, Iowa Many volumes have been written about the care, training and showing of the horse of the tanbark. Every Tennessee Walking Horse owner owes a debt to the fine breeders, trainers and exhibitors of the show ring. Without them there would remain no true breed nor development of outstanding characteristics. Constant vigilance must be kept to reproduce only with the best. Competition is keen in the show ring - more so each season. That is good, for it has resulted in the upgrading of the Walker in fineness, confor­ mation and gait. The Tennessee Walking Horse now stands second only to the Thoroughbred in registration numbers. This is an outstanding record and credit must be given to those devoted to the promotion of this fine animal. Every Walker breeder has high hopes for each foal, yet he knows a very small percentage of them will be top winners. Likewise, each colt the trainer start s is a prospective blue, yet he too realizes that many do not have that certain something so special in a champion. Here then are excellent horses, of good breeding with in­ herited gaits unique in the equine family. For every show animal, there are hundreds of horses whose owners keep them only for the en­ joyment and relaxation they provide. The added advantage of good breeding far outweighs the extra original cost. The Tennessee Walker is the finest of pleasure horses. Outstanding in their ride, they are alert, carry themselves proudly and have unusually good dispositions. Many trainers and exhibitors look upon the pleasure horse owners as odd personalities - incapable of appreciating fine show stock. This is not true, for these are the people who make up a large percentage of the show grandstands. They are the enthusiastic supporters of their favorite breed. With more leisure time available, people in all walks of life are able to do the things they enjoy. Whether it be boats, fishing, golf or camping - to name a few - each participant has his favorite brand, type or style of equipment. So it is with horses - each person has his own idea of breed preference. 28 People who ride for pleasure do so from choice. Since there is no monetary gain involved, pur­ chasers look for a quality animal with style, good disposition and easy gait. Few of these owners have any knowledge of training techniques so they want to buy a horse that has been well trained and will respond readily to his rider under any circumstances. The demand for good well- trained personal mounts is growing rapidly, yet the supply is very limited. Very few professional horsemen have recognized this need - yet here is a field unlimited. A pleasure horse requires training as exacting as his tanbark cousin, yet for an entirely different environment. He will not be ridden in a ring or training circle with fences or guard rails to con­ fine him, but will be free as a breeze in the great outdoors with only a thin strip of leathers in the hands of his rider to control him. Since the horse is usually handled by only the owner, a training technique should be used which establishes mutual confidence between man and animal. Pleasure horses are rarely kept in box stalls - usually roaming large pastures. When wanting to go for a ride, it is no pleasure to waste time trying to catch this animal. Patience wears thin and tempers flare. The horse must be taught to come to the paddock or barn in response to some established signal. The rider is usually alone, so as a matter of his personal safety, good barn manners are re­ quired of the mount. One that kicks, bites or crowds is undesirable and dangerous. Authorities of horse psychology contend that few horses are naturally vicious but have become so from fear or instinct of self-defense. If the handler disci­ plines himself to speak calmly and move smooth­ ly, many unpleasant situations can be avoided. If the horse has been schooled to park and stay until given a signal to move out, mounting will be a simple affair. Unfortunately, this is one phase of training so often neglected. The rider is forced to follow the animal around in circles, trying to get a foot in the stirrup. Other horses stand quietly until a foot is in the iron - then bolt. In either case, things get rather hectic while the rider tries to scramble into the saddle. When the rider is mounted, he wants his horse to move out readily - no rearing, turning back or balking at the gate. The pleasure horse that is well trained and alert actually seems to consider each ride a great adventure. He goes many different paths and sees new and exciting things each time he is ridden. He must be schooled to accept all these. He meets objects of all shapes, colors, speeds and sounds. He must observe all and pass with well-mannered poise. If his rider chooses to stop and chat with a friend, he must stand quietly and at ease, regardless of the confusion around him, until signalled to move out. In most cases, he wears shoes on well-balanced hoofs. His feet touch various types of surfaces - VOICE of The Tennessee Walking Horse