The breed performs three distinct gaits. The flat walk is a brisk, long-reaching walk that ranges from 4 to 8 mph. A nodding head motion, along with overstride, are unique features of the gait. The running walk is an extra-smooth gait like the flat walk except faster, at 10 to 20 mph, giving the rider a feeling of gliding through the air as if propelled by a powerful machine. The canter is performed in much the same way as other breeds, but with lots of spring and rhythm, giving an easy front end rise and fall referred to as a “rocking chair” canter.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) currently has 234,418 registered Walkers, and many of them hit the trails annually through TWHBEA’s trail programs. In 2023, riders logged 13,438 total hours in the distance program.

Hours in the Saddle

Via’s Sugarfoot, owned and ridden by Glory Redmond of Lowell, Ind., was the TWHBEA Trail Horse of the Year for 2023, logging 387.5 hours.

Sunday Morning Rain and owner Susan St. Amand have logged more than 3,000 hours on trails, more than any other Tennessee Walking Horse in TWHBEA’s program.

“We ride on the hundreds of miles of ATV public trails in the Northern Maine woods, and witness plenty of wildlife,” says St. Amand.

“The Tennessee Walking Horse has long been recognized as a superior trail mount because they are smart, strong, surefooted and smooth,” says Paige Liggett of TWHBEA. “The Tennessee Walking Horse was originally bred to be a utility horse capable of carrying a rider over the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee in comfort and style. This inherent ability translates perfectly to most any terrain or situation.”

From Trails to Mounted Archery

Lila Corey of Youngsville, N.C., owns three Tennessee Walking Horses that she uses for trail riding and mounted archery. Her 9-year-old mare, Patience; 9-year-old gelding, Lakota; and 18-year-old gelding, Aston, are all skilled on the trail as well as the archery track. They carry both her students and her granddaughter with ease and care.

“I trail ride for fun and relaxation,” says Corey. “Tennessee Walking Horses are very smooth, and that makes them easier to shoot off of when cantering. The hunt course, being like a trail ride with targets at a canter, is so much fun on a gaited horse.”

Kristin Munson from Sandia Park, N.M., grew up riding Tennessee Walking Horses.

“I can’t post worth a darn,” she laughs. “That’s a pretty necessary skill for most long-distance riders, unless they are lucky enough to ride gaited!”

Now, Munson rides Cruise Until Midnyte, aka “Cruze”, a 5-year-old gelding, on endurance rides. (The pair are featured on this month’s cover.)

“Tennessee Walking Horses are known for being level-headed, considerate of their riders, gentle, and comfortable for long periods of time,” she says. “Because they were bred for riding on extensive plantations in the south, especially Heritage Walkers [these have no or limited high-stepping breeding lines] are famous for traveling long miles without complaint and being a joy to ride.”

Since Cruze is young, Munson is competing in the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) limited-distance races, ranging from 25 to 35 miles. As he grows up, her goal is to complete the 100-mile Western States Trail Ride (also known as the Tevis Cup). She says that Arabians and Mustangs tend to win endurance rides, but she and Cruze enjoy the time together.

“I believe the AERC motto that ‘To Finish is to Win,’ and I wouldn’t want to spend 35, 50, or even 100 miles on any other breed!”

Mounted Orienteering

Pushers Phoenix Sun, affectionately called “Nacho,” is a 12-year-old Walking Horse gelding owned by Laurie Heffington of Winlock, Wash. She purchased Nacho sight unseen from British Columbia because she had been searching for years for a gaited horse.

A friend of hers got her into competitive mounted orienteering (CMO) a few years ago. In mounted orienteering, a team or individual uses a compass to find hidden objects—usually a paper plate with a letter on it—on a trail. The event is timed. Heffington has found Nacho to be the perfect partner.

“From what Nacho has shown, they have wonderful personality and grit,” says Heffington. “He can go and go. My husband calls him ‘The Bulldozer,’ because he will plow through anything I point him at, regardless if there’s a path. That is great when we’re searching around in the brush for a plate!”

Heffington and Nacho placed first in the Washington Chapter of CMO for the short course and second in the nation in 2022 and 2023.

Although Tennessee Walking Horses are known for their fast running walk, Heffington says that Nacho has no problem slowing down, and will even keep pace with her son’s 12-hand pony on the trail.

This article about the Tennessee Walking Horse breed appeared in the August 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The Missouri Fox Trotter is a culmination of the breeds Southern settlers brought to the Ozarks with them in the early 1800s. Arabians, Morgans, Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walkers and Standardbreds all accompanied the farmers that settled in these mountains. They used their horses to clear forests, sort livestock, and work the fields they planted on the plateaus common in the Ozarks.

These same horses carried them from place to place and pulled their buggies on the weekend. By the end of the 19th century, a gaited horse unique to these mountains had developed from the original breeds and was being selectively bred. Thus, the Missouri Fox Trotter was born.

By the 1940s, motorized vehicles had eliminated the need for horses to work farms and provide transportation around the U.S., and the Ozarks were no exception. But the Missouri Fox Trotter was a beloved breed that had become well known throughout the area, and in 1948, the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association (MFTHBA) was formed to help preserve them. In 2002, the breed was named the state horse of Missouri, making it an official state symbol.

In 2004, the MFTHBA created a separate registry for Missouri Fox Trotters who stand between 11 and 13.3 hands, known as Missouri Fox Trotter Ponies.

Missouri Fox Trotter Breed Characteristics

The Missouri Fox Trotter is a short-backed, graceful horse prized for its three natural gaits: the flat-footed walk, the fox trot and the canter.

The flat-footed walk is a four-beat gait characterized by each foot lifting and setting down an in even cadence. With each stride, the back foot reaches forward and slides in as it sets down. The gait is smooth to sit and helps preserve the rider’s energy over the miles.

The breed is best known for its second fastest gait, a broken diagonal gait called the fox trot. The gait has a distinctive rhythm created by the horse moving its front foot a split second before its opposite rear foot. At least one of the horse’s feet is in contact with the ground at all times, with sometimes two feet in contact, giving it smoothness and stability over uneven ground. Fox Trotters can travel as fast as 10 mph in this gait.

The canter is a broken, three-beat gait in the Missouri Fox Trotter, and should be performed as an athletic lope or a collected rocking-chair canter.

In addition to its smooth gaits, the Missouri Fox Trotter is celebrated for its gentle and willing temperament. Known for being relaxed and for enjoying human company, they make great companions and unflappable trail horses.

Versatility

It’s no surprise given its history and characteristics that the Missouri Fox Trotter’s most popular job is as a trail horse. Its smooth gait and quiet disposition make it a natural.
But the breed also makes a great and versatile competition horse. They participate in a variety of events, such as endurance riding, competitive trail, obstacle challenges, performance (gait competition), model (halter), showmanship, horsemanship, reining, English pleasure, speed events and ranch horse competitions.

Ranch sorting was most recently added to MFTHBA shows in 2017, and the association now offers World Champion titles in this discipline, which is becoming very popular for the breed. In fact, the MFTHBA recently launched a lifetime achievement program that recognizes achievements in 16 different categories, including ranch sorting. The breed’s cow sense should come as no surprise, since the Missouri Fox Trotter was also used to work cattle in the Ozarks where it was developed.

Every year, the MFTHBA sponsors the Missouri Fox Trotter World Show and Celebration in Ava, Mo., home of MFTHBA headquarters. The show includes a variety of classes and competitions, including trail ride events outside the arena, designed to highlight the versatility of the breed.

Missouri Fox Trotters are found in all 50 states and a number of countries around the world. The European Missouri Foxtrotting Association registers the breed in the European Union, and sponsors shows and other events for the breed.

In the U.S., 104,425 MFTs have been registered since the MFTHBA registry started. The breed is continuing the grow in popularity as horse lovers everywhere discover its endearing traits.

This article about the Missouri Fox Trotter appeared in the May 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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What is the Difference Between a Paint Horse vs. a Pinto?

The short answer between the differences of a Paint Horse vs. a pinto is that Paint is a breed based on bloodlines, and pinto is a coat color pattern that can be found in horses of many different breeds. The longer answer is a bit more complicated.

Paints and pintos typically have one thing in common: a flashy coat featuring patches of white and a solid color, such as bay, black or chestnut. Beyond that, there are many differences.

What is a Paint Horse?

For one, a Paint Horse is a breed that, according to the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), “has strict bloodline requirements and a distinctive stock-horse body type.” Paint Horses can only have the bloodlines of Quarter Horses, Paint Horses or Thoroughbreds in their pedigrees. In order to qualify for registration with the APHA, their sire and dam must be registered with the APHA, the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club (the breed registry for Thoroughbreds). 

What Kind of Horse is a Pinto?

On the other hand, “pinto” is a term that refers to the colorful coat pattern and is not the name of a particular breed of horse. Any horse that displays one of several coat patterns is considered a pinto. Breeds that commonly produce pinto horses include the American Saddlebred, Gypsy Horse and Miniature Horse. Breeds such as the Spotted Saddle Horse and Spotted Draft Horse are exclusively pintos. 

Paint Horses traditionally have pinto coat patterns. However, horses from APHA-registered stock that do not have pinto coloring can still be registered with the APHA as “Solid Paint-Bred” horses, formerly known as “Breeding Stock” Paints.

There are two main registries for pinto horses—The Pinto Horse Association of America and the National Pinto Horse Registry—and each separates pintos into categories depending on their breeding and conformation. The Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association and the International Pattern Sporthorse Registry also accept pinto horses. The Pintabian Horse Registry specifically registers pinto horses with primarily Arabian horse breeding. 

What Are Their Coat Patterns?

Pintos and Paints are described by their coat pattern. The two most common patterns are the tobiano and overo. Horses that display characteristics of both patterns are considered toveros. There are also several other pattern types, but that’s another whole article in itself!

For more information about pintos and their various coat patterns, check out the following sites:

◆ Pinto Horse Association of America
◆ American Paint Horse Association
◆ Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association
◆ National Spotted Saddle Horse Association
◆ International Pattern Sporthorse Registry
◆ Pintabian Horse Registry

The post What’s the Difference Between a Paint Horse and a Pinto? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Fans of the breed often describe their horses’ people-oriented nature, which couples with their natural athleticism to make them an excellent choice for trail riding, ranch work, and sports like eventing and dressage, where the partnership between horse and rider is of the utmost importance.

Eventing with American Saddlebreds

Kris Wallace is the owner and trainer at Columbia Equestrian Center in Columbia, Mo., where she works with a variety of breeds and teaches several disciplines. She’s developed a love of the American Saddlebred and the sport of eventing, and Wallace has earned a reputation for success in training and competing Saddlebred event horses. Among the Saddlebreds she has competed are Absolute Lionheart (known as Dan) and Cat on a Mission (Cora).

“Both of them were previously saddle seat mounts,” says Wallace. “Dan did show hunt seat and jumping with his previous owner after she realized he wasn’t going to be her saddle seat mount, but neither of them had any eventing experience. Since we’ve had them, Cora has competed up to the Novice level [2’11”] and Dan up to Preliminary [3’7″].”

Both horses have big personalities and athleticism that have earned them fans in the competitive arena and in the barn.

“Dan loves to be the center of attention,” says Wallace. “He’s sweet, affectionate, and highly opinionated. Cross-country is his absolute favorite [eventing] phase. Cora is every bit of a red-headed mare. She acts big and bad, but secretly loves attention. When ridden, she is 100 percent business and loves to work.”

A Saddlebred for Any Role

During her junior exhibitor career, Wallace primarily rode and showed Arabians in hunter and jumper classes. She was introduced to the American Saddlebred when she attended William Woods University in Fulton, Mo., which boasts a multi-discipline equestrian program that includes many Saddlebreds. When she started her own training and lesson program after graduation, Saddlebreds were a natural fit.

“I feel that Saddlebreds have excellent qualities as sport horses,” she says. “They are extremely athletic, trainable, and love being challenged. They tend to be forward and brave, which helps them be successful in many different sport horse arenas. Most importantly, they all have a great amount of heart that keeps them trying in any situation.”

As a trainer who works with youth and amateurs, Wallace has an eye for matching riders with horses that will help them achieve their goals and have fun doing it. She finds that Saddlebreds are often a great fit.

“I think when a Saddlebred discovers a job they love, they’re so focused on pleasing that it’s not hard for them to take care of their rider,” says Wallace. “Saddlebreds all seem to be the barn favorites, as they give their riders confidence to push themselves out of their comfort zone knowing they are on a brave, intelligent horse.”

A Brief History

Originally known as the Kentucky Saddler and later the American Saddle Horse, the American Saddlebred traces its early development back to the 1700s, when colonists in North America selectively bred Thoroughbreds with a now-extinct gaited breed known as the Narragansett Pacer to produce a robust riding horse. Throughout the 1800s, breeders continued to refine the Kentucky Saddler through crosses with Thoroughbreds, Hackneys and Morgans, among others.

In the 19th century, Saddlers were valued as battlefield mounts for generals who prized their stamina and willingness to perform for their riders. Fortunately, the 1800s also saw the rise of horse shows in America, and during peacetime, the breed maintained its popularity in civilian life at these early exhibitions, particularly in Kentucky and Missouri.

The American Saddle Horse Breeders Association was founded as the official breed registry in 1891, and today is called the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association (ASHBA). The Association has the distinction of being the first registry for a breed of horse developed in America, and continues to support and promote the beauty, athleticism, and versatility of the breed in all its modern uses.

Through its annual High Point Awards Program, ASHBA recognizes American Saddlebreds and half-Saddlebreds competing in all disciplines. The American Saddlebred Versatility Association (VERSA) is a charter club of ASHBA that was incorporated in 2013. VERSA’s mission is to promote the versatile character of the American Saddlebred Horse by highlighting opportunities to compete in many equestrian disciplines and to educate the public about Saddlebred versatility.

This article about the American Saddlebred appeared in the March 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Originally called the Plantation Walking Horse, the breed later obtained the name of Tennessee Walking Horse after the state where it first originated. By the 1800s, the breed’s popularity had grown among farm owners throughout the South, who had discovered its vast talents. It wasn’t long before this horse became renowned for its willingness to work and easy-to-ride gait.

In 1935, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) was formed to help record bloodlines and promote the breed as a pleasure riding and show horse. In 1954, the breed was recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture, and the TWHBEA as the official breed registry. Studbooks were closed in 1957, requiring all registered foals thereafter to parentage qualify.

Tennessee Walking Horse Gaits

Tennessee Walkers are born able to perform their special gaits: The flat-footed walk, the running walk and the canter are the breed’s three natural styles.

The flat-footed walk is similar to the regular walk in that each hoof hits the ground separately. The flat-footed walk is also a lot faster than a regular walk, in large part because of its longer strides. While traveling at this ground-covering gait, the Tennessee Walker’s head bobs up and down in rhythm with its steps.

The four-beat running walk is the breed’s most famous gait. As in the flat-footed walk, each hoof also hits the ground separately in a four-beat rhythm. This gait is faster than a trot and much smoother. Tennessee Walking Horses can travel anywhere from 10 to 20 miles per hour at the running walk.

The breed’s third gait is the canter. Unlike the canter in most other breeds, the Tennessee Walking Horse’s canter is more relaxed and has more spring and rhythm, giving the rider the sensation of sitting in a rocking chair.

Versatility in Different Disciplines

Tennessee Walking Horses were originally bred to be ridden long distances around Southern plantations. Today, the breed has adapted to several different disciplines that call upon its inherent talents.

Trail riding is probably the most popular activity for Tennessee Walking Horses. They are able to provide their riders with long, comfortable days in the saddle. The breed’s tractable temperament also makes them good choices for the trail. They are often seen participating in endurance riding and competitive trail events, as well.

Showing has always been an important job for the Tennessee Walking Horse, and the breed excels in a number of competitive disciplines.

In 1998, the National Walking Horse Association (NWHA) was formed with the goal of providing a safe and fair showing environment for the Tennessee Walking Horse. At the NWHA National Show, classes are offered in dressage (both traditional and western), trail obstacle, plantation, pleasure, equitation, costume, leadline, pole bending, barrel racing, reining, and stock seat equitation, in addition to traditional Tennessee Walking Horse classes such as racking and park.

Tennessee Walkers also do well at open shows competing with other breeds, especially at gaited competitions.

With its smooth gait and easy-going temperament, the Tennessee Walking Horse has won the hearts of many equestrians over the years. This all-American breed has been with us since the dawn of our nation, and will no doubt continue to be a mainstay in the horse world in the decades to come.

Tennessee Walking Horse Characteristics and Fast Facts Height: 14.3 to 17 hands Color: All horse colors, pinto and roan patterns Overall Appearance: Straight facial profile with small ears; a long, sloping shoulder and hip; short back; short, strong coupling. Bottom line is longer than the topline. Associations: ◆ Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association ◆ National Walking Horse Association

Key Takeaway

With its smooth gait and easy-going temperament, the Tennessee Walking Horse has won the hearts of many equestrians over the years. This all-American breed has been with us since the dawn of our nation, and will no doubt continue to be a mainstay in the horse world in the decades to come.

This article appeared in the November 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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When it comes to sheer numbers, no breed can match the popularity of the American Quarter Horse. With a total of more than 2.5 million individual horses in the U.S., the Quarter Horse can easily be called the king of breeds.

The Quarter Horse’s backstory is closely linked to the history of America. English horses used for racing by the Colonists and speedy Spanish Barbs kept by the Chickasaw Indians were bred together to produce a horse that could run a quarter-mile faster than any other.

The Foundation Sires of the American Quarter Horse

Although many horses went into creating the American Quarter Horse we know today, three foundation sires made a huge imprint around the turn of the 20th century: Peter McCue, Traveler and Old Fred all made their mark on the breed and can be seen in many modern Quarter Horse pedigrees.

Peter McCue

Foaled in 1895 in Illinois, Peter McCue was born into a bit of controversy. He was registered as a Thoroughbred, with his papers showing he was out of a Thoroughbred mare named Nora M and by a Thoroughbred stallion named Duke of the Highlands.

Peter McCue’s breeder later insisted otherwise, saying the bay stallion was sired by a Quarter Horse named Dan Tucker. To this day, people still argue about who sired Peter McCue. Regardless of his parentage, Peter McCue was an impressive racehorse and a prolific sire. Two of his sons, Old Red Buck and Chief, were among the first 20 horses listed in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Stud Book.

Those first 20 horses are considered the founders of the breed and called the “Grand 20.” Five of Peter McCue’s descendants are also part of the Grand 20: Wimpy, Tomate Laureles, Little Richard, Whiskaway and Colonel.

AQHA Hall of Famer Peter McCue can be seen in the pedigree of thousands of American Quarter Horses. He is known for producing horses that can race as well as show.

Traveler

Foundation sire Traveler, born in 1885, has a rags-to-riches story. Of unknown breeding, the roan stallion was “discovered” at around 8 years old while being used as workhorse on the Texas and Pacific Railway. Two Texas horsemen named John Cooper and Brown Seay recognized the stallion as a “Steeldust type,” meaning he looked like he could have been descended from the well-known racing stallion Steeldust, who appears in just about every American Quarter Horse pedigree today.

The men traded a mule for the stallion and brought him home where he was trained to race. He became a successful sprinter and a great sire, producing three famous Quarter Horses out of a mare named Jenny: Little Joe, King and Black Bess.

Many champions are descended from Traveler, and five of his descendants are part of the Grand 20 foundation horses of the Quarter Horse breed.

Old Fred

Another stallion that went from being a workhorse to a prestigious foundation sire was Old Fred. Foaled in 1894 in Missouri, Old Fred, a palomino, was brought to Colorado as a 2-year-old. He was descended from three of the original foundation lines of Steeldust, Printer and Shiloh.

When legendary Quarter Horse breeder Coke Roberds saw Old Fred on a freighter’s hitch one day, he bought him. In Roberds’ hands, Old Fred became famous for producing great running Quarter Horses. His son, Bob H, became a record-holding sprinter, and even today, many racing Quarter Horses carry his name in their pedigree. Old Fred was also known for producing hardworking cow horses that could stand up to the rigors of ranch work.

Old Fred produced great broodmares, too. When his daughters were bred to Peter McCue, some great racehorses resulted. One mare named Squaw won 49 out of 50 races and went on to be successful as a broodmare.

Many palomino Quarter Horses can trace their pedigrees back to Old Fred, who was also one of the Grand 20.

More Articles on the American Quarter Horse

◆ A Winning Combination: Appendix Quarter Horse
◆ America’s Horse Has Talent

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American Paint Horse History

In 1519, the explorer Hernando Cortes carried two horses described as having pinto markings on his voyage. This is the first known description of such horses in America. By the early 1800s, horses with Paint coloring were well-populated throughout the West.

A favorite among Native Americans, the loud-colored Paint Horses were particularly well-liked by the Comanche Indian tribe. Evidence of this is found in drawings painted on buffalo robes.

Throughout the 1800s and into the late 1900s these painted horses were called pinto, paint, skewbald and piebald. In the early 1960s, interest grew in preserving and promoting horses with paint coloring and stock horse builds. In 1965 the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) formed, and today, the breed is extremely popular in traditional western events as well as a variety of other riding disciplines.

Breed Characteristics

American Paint Horses sport a combination of white and any other color of the equine spectrum: black, bay, brown, chestnut, dun, grullo, sorrel, palomino, buckskin, gray or roan.

Markings come in any shape or size and can be located anywhere on the horse’s body. The variety of colors and markings appear in three specific coat patterns: overo, tobiano and tovero. These horses average 14.2 to 16.2 hands high.

For More Information

• The American Paint Horse Association, www.apha.com

Further Reading:

• Breed Portrait: Paint Horse
• Painted Heroes

This article first appeared with Horse Illustrated magazine in 2006. Click here to subscribe!

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The Spotted Saddle Horse has roots in some of the world’s most intriguing history. When the Spaniards first landed on North American shores, they brought horses with them that would lead to the repopulation of the continent with equines, which had become extinct during the Ice Age. Some of those Spanish horses had pinto markings and some were gaited, and both types passed these traits on to their descendants.

As horses of Spanish heritage spread throughout the United States, they crossed with horses brought from northern Europe, and regional breeds began to develop. Wherever Spanish horses had been, they left their genetic footprint, leaving behind descendants with splashy markings and a comfortable, non-trotting gait.

Hundreds of years later and just after the Civil War ended, Southern horsemen began breeding horses with pinto markings to horses with ambling gaits. The goal was to create a flashy-looking, smooth-gaited breed that could comfortably carry a rider for miles through forest trails, over rugged hills and across vast tracts of land. The result of this effort was the Spotted Saddle Horse.

Over the decades, other breeds contributed to this unique horse, including the Standardbred and Morgan. Most recently, the Tennessee Walking Horse, Missouri Fox Trotter, Peruvian Horse and Paso Fino were added to the bloodlines. Today, registered Spotted Saddle Horses can also be crossed with Tennessee Walking Horses, Single-Footing Horses, Rocky Mountain Horses, Kentucky Mountain Horses and Racking Horses. The resulting offspring can be eligible for registration as Spotted Saddle Horses.

What Makes a Spotted Saddle Horse?

To be considered a Spotted Saddle Horse, a horse must possess a number of characteristics, according to both the National Spotted Saddle Horse Association (NSSHA) and the Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders & Exhibitors Association (SSHBEA), the two registries for the breed.

The first and most crucial characteristic is that the horse must be spotted. This means the horse has color above the hock other than facial markings, and is either identified as a tobiano, overo or sabino. This spotting must consist of white and any other recognized horse color.

Solid-colored horses that are born of registered Spotted Saddle Horse parents can be registered with the NSSHA and the SSHBEA, but only as breeding stock. They cannot be shown in classes with spotted horses.

Next, the horse must exhibit a gait other than a trot. This means that instead of trotting, the horse needs to possess a four-beat gait. This gate can be a single-foot, running walk, rack, stepping pace, or another four-beat step.

To be registered with the SSHBEA, horses must have at least one SSHBEA-registered parent. That parent must be a SSHBEA-registered tobiano and must meet all other qualifications in order to be eligible for registration.

Some are also registered as Tennessee Walking Horses, Rocky Mountain Horses or Racking Horses because they carry a large amount of those bloodlines.

A Natural on the Trail

Today, the breed is often used for trail riding, and sometimes compete in North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) competitive trail rides. The breed’s smooth gait, willing temperament, and inherent endurance make it a natural for this sport.

The breed is also popular as a show horse and is exhibited in halter and under-saddle classes. The Spotted Saddle Horse World Grand Championship show, held in Tennessee each year, features classes in halter, country pleasure, trail pleasure and a variety of other events that show off the breed’s talents. Some are also used for driving and are broke for carts and wagons.

The NSSHA currently has more than 35,000 Spotted Saddle Horses in its registry. The breed’s smooth gait, gentle temperament and flashy coloring make it an easy choice for people who want an attractive, easy-to-handle horse that provides a smooth and comfortable ride.

This horse breed portrait appeared in the May 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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From the American Horse Council

The American Horse Council Foundation (AHCF) has announced that it will be extending the deadline to take the survey to update the National Economic Impact Study to September 4th.

“We decided to extend the deadline due to a last-minute surge in responses, combined with the ‘back to school’ audience to ensure everyone was really given an opportunity to complete the survey,” said AHC President Julie Broadway. “We continue to encourage people to share the survey link on available platforms such as email, social media, blogs, websites, etc. We want as many people as possible to complete the survey.”

For those interested in sharing the survey, please use the following link: https://innovationgroup.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0oaYvVhgaWHgpvL?Source=Request

This study documents the economic effects of racing, showing, recreation, rodeo and other segments of the horse industry on the state and national economy. It provides invaluable data on the number of horses, jobs, and related industries that are impacted by horse ownership, and it shows the diverseness of the industry we all love. The economic data that we collect from this study will help us chart a course for the future, and give the general public and members of Congress the most accurate portrait of the economic impact the diverse equine industry has.

As a reminder, all data is completely confidential, and will not be shared. As such, the AHC encourages survey respondents to share as much economic data as they can in order to ensure the most accurate economic impact portrait of the diverse equine industry. The AHC particularly encourages everyone to provide information on your horse-related expenses since they will form the primary basis of the economic impact.

If you have any questions, please contact the AHC at info@horsecouncil.org.

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The American Horse Council Foundation (AHCF) announced today that it will be extending the deadline to complete the horse owner and supplier survey to update the National Economic Impact Study to August 18th.

“The survey has been open since the beginning of June, and unfortunately we have only had around 9,000 responses,” said AHC President Julie Broadway. “We decided to extend the deadline for respondents to take the survey to ensure that we are getting as many responses as we can- we estimated that the survey link should be reaching approximately 900,000 people, and the 2005 Study had over 18,000 responses itself. The industry has waited a long time for this study to be updated and we want to be sure we are getting the full picture of the impact of the vast equine industry.”

The main survey is designed to capture the impact of individual horse owners (whether commercial or recreational) and industry suppliers of equine-related goods and services. Tap here to take the horse owner & supplier survey.

Please note, all personal information collected in the survey will be confidential and will not be distributed. The AHC encourages Individuals to share the study link above via email, social media, etc. in order to ensure maximum participation.

The 2017 Economic Impact Study will contain expanded demographics with youth participation and additional segments of the industry, including Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies, Equine Sanctuaries and Rescues, Equine Academic Programs, and Equine Youth Organizations. If you are interested in receiving one of these survey links, please contact the AHC at info@horsecouncil.org.

The post Have you completed the American Horse Council’s 2017 survey? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.