08/16/2024
The Walking Horse!
One of the page's followers sent this to me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I hope you share it with everyone you know. It's absolutely perfect.
From the thoughts of a Tennessee Walking Horseโโ
I am saddened that there are people out there that think I am abused or mistreated.
I have a unique gait that they simply do not understand. People who do not know me, have judged me and my lifestyle based on old photographs of horses whom I never knew, photographs that have been edited, some even from other breeds, videos edited and posted online and lies that people have told. Some of these same people that say they are against abuse and defend me do not know me and have even made violent threats against my owners, riders, and trainers. They have spread lies and twisted the truth to make money off of me. They have cost important charities like St. Jude, Lions Clubs, Shriners, women and children's shelters, and schools millions of dollars in much needed funds by protesting me and harassing these charities.
You see, I was carefully thought about and planned for before I was ever conceived. Although God created me, my breeder did their research and studied a lot of different pedigrees to try to match what my Mom would cross best with in temperament and talent in selecting my Dad. My Mom was from a long line of decorated show horses. She had many World Champions and World Grand Champions throughout her family tree. She had several great qualities to pass on to me which had to be studied to see who would cross well with her bloodline and her talents. My Dad was chosen because of his natural talent, show performance record and pedigree. He also had many titles to his name and in his background including the most prestigious title, the Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Champion which is crowned each year the Saturday night before Labor Day.
They say it takes a village to raise a human child and the same goes for us show horses. Before I was even born, I had my own personal doctor who checked on my Mom often and a few people who anxiously awaited 11 months on my arrival. Once I made my debut into life, I have been given all the the things necessary to grow and flourish, including visits from my personal doctor. Just like a human child, I had to be vaccinated too. My Mom was the first one to teach me manners and what was acceptable behavior. Humans have touched me, petted me and kept a close eye on me every day. Even as a baby, I could hear the excitement in their voice when they talked to me or when they were talking about me. Because humans have always been around me, it was easy to learn to follow them at a young age.
When I was big enough, I was sent to school. I learned what a saddle and bridle was for. I'll admit the whole riding thing was a little scary at first because I was not sure what I should do, but I was patiently taught how to guide left or right and what โwhoaโ means. (Whoa is human talk for stop.) I was bred to be a show horse, but I still had to go through a lot of wet blankets and saddle time to learn how to become a show horse. I have my on manicurist called a farrier. When he started putting shoes on my hooves, he put a couple of plastic pads between my hooves and shoe. By the time he came back for another visit, I had gotten used to those so he added a couple of more plastic pads. He works hard and sweats a lot. I show my appreciation by giving him a nudge in his backside from time to time. My shoes may look odd to some and, oftentimes my shoes are mistaken to be heavy. Remember, I weigh 800 โ 1200 pounds. My shoes are called performance packages and they give my hooves a larger area to land on and absorb the shock as my foot hits the ground. I get my shoes refitted or a brand new pair every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how fast my hooves grow.
I have a whole entourage that take excellent care of me. My entourage includes personal maid services that keep my stall clean with fresh soft shavings, a dentist for routine dental care, my farrier who takes care of my hooves and keeps me shod, a doctor who checks on my and gives me vaccinations against all sorts of diseases, a chef who brings me my meals of top quality fresh hay and grain with tons of vitamins and nutrients, grooms to bathe me and brush me, a barber who trims my bridle path and keeps my mane looking its best, and chauffeur to drive me to the horse shows. I donโt have to worry about the weather elements because I have a roof over my head. I don't have to worry about flies and other biting or annoying insects. The barn stays warm in the winter months, but I get a blanket on the extremely cold days and I have my own fan in the summer.
I also have my own personal trainer that ensures I get stay in tip top shape, getting plenty of exercise, and rest when needed, so that I have the stamina and ability to perform my best. There are people who stop in regularly that come and talk to me and pet me even though I don't belong to them. Some of them feed me treats like carrots and peppermints! My favorite visitors are the children. They all have different personalities, just like horses. I can sense the timid ones and try to be extra gentle with them so they know not to be afraid. I also have barn mates to keep me company. They are all show horses too. Although we are all different and unique, we share the common bond of being show horses.
When we arrive at a horse show, everyone makes a fuss over all of us. I hear people ask if I am here. They know my name. That makes me proud! I have separate show attire than I do at the barn. I have show wraps on my legs that protected me during the trip here, and a leather halter instead of the nylon ones used at the barn. I even have ribbons braided in my mane, just for the horse show.
Occasionally, we will compete against one of barn mates, but mostly we show in different classes. Before I am allowed to show, I have to be inspected. I have been poked and prodded on so many times that I have lost count. I have had my eyes scanned so the people know it's really me, my ankles swabbed, and my legs thermographed. I have to be let them watch me walk and lead freely and easily. My shoes are inspected to make sure they are the proper fit with heel to toe ratio, the hair around my ankles has to be perfect and cannot be out of place or missing. I can have no scratches, scuffs, or scars. If for any reason I donโt pass the rigorous process of inspection, I will not be allowed to show. Federal law, federal regulation and industry rules are in place to ensure that.
While waiting to be inspected, I've seen some horses get disqualified for even the most minor thing and, unfortunately, for no reason at all. I have seen others poked and prodded on by countless people to the point, a horse gets frustrated and starts to move away which always ends up as a disqualification. All that preparation and hard work carries over to the next show, even though it is disappointing, but it is also used to accuse the people who care for us of abuse.
Most of us take inspection in stride, walking horse stride that is. When it is my turn to be inspected, I try to stay calm and relaxed but I am excited that I am going to get to perform. I get to show off my careful breeding and training by performing my gaits going around an oval track in both directions. It will be my moment to shine! It's what every athlete works hard for. There is lively organ music, bright lights, and cheers from those watching. I love it. This is what I was born to do!
The winner of my class will get their photograph taken and make a victory pass all by themselves with a blue ribbon hanging from their bridle to signify they are a winner. Some shows will even have a floral horseshoe to hang around my neck or a trophy. After the victory pass, the first place winner and other random other place winners, have to immediately report back to the inspection area to be re-inspected. I'm sweaty. I'm breathing hard. I still have the adrenaline from showing, but I have to act calm while inspectors make sure they didn't miss anything in the first inspection. I hear people say that no other breed has to go through such a process to show. Am I scrutinized for being different and unique? My gait is my heritage, not abuse, just as speed is the heritage of a race horse.
I wish I could talk human talk. I wish I could tell everyone how well I am taken care of. Other than my barn mate next to me snores loudly, and the time the humans ran out of peppermints for two days straight, my life is wonderful. I wish I could take all the doubters around the showring one time for the ride of their life. They would never want to ride anything else but me. I am the luxury edition of the horse world that is more affordable than a lot of other breeds. I love what I do and I love those that take care of me. Since my show career will span over 15 years, I already have my eye on that little timid girl that comes to visit me. I can give her wings and so much confidence that she'll believe that she can do anything. If she ever doubts herself, I'll be here to remind her of that.
I am loved and, therefore, I love in return. Confidence is given to me in my training. Confidence to be unique, to be different, to be me and, therefore, I return that same confidence to my riders. It's a beautiful partnership, one built on love and trust of each other. I AM PROUD TO BE A TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE!
