FLAT FOOT WALK
RUNNING WALK
CANTER
There are the three gaits of the Tennessee Walking Horse.
The flat foot walk is a brisk, l ong-reaching walk that can cover from 4 to 8 miles an hour. This is a four cornered gait with each of the horse's feet hitting the ground separately at regular intervals. Overstride is unique to the walking horse breed. The Tennessee Walking Horse will nod its head in rhythm with the cadence of its feet.
The running walk is the gait for which the walking horse is most noted. An extra-smooth gliding gait - the same as the flat walk with a marked increase in speed. The horse can travel 10 to 20 miles per hour at this gait. The more stride the better the walker. The running walk is a smooth, easy gait for both horse and rider. A true Tennessee Walking Horse will continue to nod while performing the running walk.
The third gait is the canter which is a collected gallop. The canter is performed in much the same way as other breeds, but the walking horse seems to have a more relaxed way of performing this gait.
