The running walk is easy on the horse and , according to Dr . Vowell , it has been said that the horse can travel at 10 miles an hour all day long while doing the running walk . Other characteristics of the horse are his massive muscles . He also has a very deep chest and very strong shoulders .
Start With Mares
The Vowells obtained their first two mares , Queen , a five-year-old golden gray , and Pat , a seven-yearold roan , in November , 1963 . Two colts were born last spring — Red Cloud , a chestnut sorrel , to Pat , and Sun Dance , a golden gray , to Queen .
Last summer the Vowells went to South Dakota to buy another horse . They took a two-horse trailer and , as Mrs . Vowell explained , " it seemed silly just to bring back one horse . ”
So they purchased Banner , athreeyear-Old stallion , and Major Boy ’ s Allan , a five-year-old mare . Texas Star ( pictured with her mother ) was born to Allen . Tennessee Walking Horses are known for their even dispositions .
I was astounded when I drove up the driveway of the Vowell home . The two yearlings , Sun Dance and Red Cloud , romped to the fence of their corral to greet me .
Later , as I stood in the pasture with Dr . and Mrs . Vowell , I witnessed another surprising display . All Mrs . Vowell had to do was to call Banner and he came right to her .
" A friend of mine once asked if no one had told Banner that stallions were supposed to be mean ,” said Mrs . Vowell .
Colors Vary According to Dr . Vowell , Tennessee Walking Horses vary in height from 15 to 16hands . Coloring ranges from bay to black , brown , chestnut , dun , golden gray , roan , or sorrel . Most of the horses have white body markings and white legs .
The Vowells have a large bam with five stalls , a large tack room and an expansive room which could be converted into living quarters . Though Mrs . Vowell was not reared on a farm , her experience with animals is by no means limited . In historical geology , one of the courses she teaches at Texas Western , the class studies various animals .
COWBOY GENE AUTRY BUYS EL PASO HORSE
A horse born in El Paso is now Gene Autry ’ s replacement for his famous Champion . When the former cowboy personality was here in June , he was quick to notice the photograph of two horses that appeared in a newspaper . ( Autry is a principal owner of the Los Angeles Angels who were here to play the Sun Kings .) The picture showed Dr . Owen Vowell ’ s Tennessee Walking Horses . One of these was Red Cloud , and Autry saw much similarity in the young stallion and the famous Champion that died a little over a year ago .
Mr . Autry did not wait too long until he asked John Phelan , of KTSM Radio and TV , to ask about buying the horse . Mr . Phelan inquired with the Upper Valley physician , and Dr . Vowell said that he would sell Red Cloud " if , and only if , 1 can be assured that he will get a good home .”
Negotiations have been going on for three weeks , and yesterday the purchase was announced . No terms were disclosed . Dr . Vowell said that he expects one of Mr . Autry ’ s assistants to come this weekend to pick up the horse and take him to California .
Red Cloud was born in the Country Club area a year ago last May . Although the one-time movie star owns other horses , he has indicated that none so closely resembled Champ .
Both Mr . Phelan and Dr . Vowell felt pretty sure that the new Champion was going to a good home and master .
( Continued from page 25 )
MACK K MOVES TO HARLINSDALE FARMS
Midnight Mack K , the only living Tennessee Walking Horse stallion who can boast that he is the sire of two World Grand Champions and the grandsire of one , has recently been sold and has been moved to Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin , Tenn . Mr . LARRY CRIBBLE , part owner , along with Mr . CLINTON Gribble and Mr . MORRISON LOWE ofCookville , purchased the outstanding liver chestnut stallion from the Vic Thompson Stables in Shelbyville , where the horse has been standing successfully for the past several seasons . In describing the purchase of this top rated stallion , Mr . Gribble stated , " We have been studying the demand for a long time trying to decide what bloodline to concentrate on and , with the recent death of the great Midnight Sun , decided to try to buy Midnight Mack K and move him to Harlinsdale . We feel that this horse represents more of the great features of his sire than almost any other stallion . Our decision to move him to the care of HARLIN HAYES was based on the success of this stable operation over the years and their standing reputation in the business .” The price of Mack K was undisclosed but sources close to the situation say that " top dollar ” was required to get him . Their breeding program for 1966 will begin with bookings immediately . For further information , contact Mr . HARLIN HAYES , in care of Harlinsdale Farm , Franklin , Tennessee .
CALICO FftitMS
OWNER JACQUELINE KROLL 9675 Cunningham Road Cincinnati , Ohio 45243 Phone : 831-2288
I^AnteAecL 1e « tKe46ec /
( Continued on page 58 )
After reading the preceding article in the paper , film star Gene Autry was impressed with the picture of RED CLOUD and the following story was
soon released to the newspapers .
December , 1965 33