Tennessee Walking Horse Information

Pennsylvania Pleasure Walking Horse Association Founded in 1982, the PPWHA promotes the breeding, exhibition, protection and shared appreciation of the naturally gaited, flat shod Tennessee Walking Horse. PPWHA fully supports the sound horse statement as outlined below.

New York State Plantation Walking Horse Club The New York State Plantation Walking Horse Club (NYSPWHC) members live throughout New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. They promote the enjoyment of the Tennessee Walking horse in its NATURAL way of going-on the trail, in the field and in the show ring. The club avidly supports and promotes the naturally-gaited Pleasure Walking Horse and all the horses owned by their members are lite shod.

Mid-Atlantic Tennessee Walking Horse Association The Mid-Atlantic Tennessee Walking Horse Association (MATWHA) is a non-profit organization for members who own, ride, or admire the Tennessee Walking Horse. The Association was founded on the following principles: sound horses, fair competition, and public education.

The Tennessee Walker has a gentle disposition, quick intelligence, and a natural, smooth gait that is a delight for its rider. Some owners and trainers, however, use illegal means to amplify the natural gaits of the Tennessee Walking Horse. MATWHA believes that the majority of owners, riders and show exhibitors also support the ideals of the sound horse, and is committed to providing an environment where those people can show their horses with other like minded exhibitors.

National Walking Horse Association The National Walking Horse Association (NWHA) is as alliance of people committed to preserving and fostering the natural abilities and welfare of the Walking Horse. Its goals are improves the lives of horses and people by encouraging responsibility and sportsmanship. NWHA also upholds the sound horse statement as outlined above.

Friends of Sound Horses The mission of Friends of Sound Horses, Inc (FOSH) is to promote the sound ownership, training, exhibition and breeding of gaited horses with a specific emphasis on the Tennessee Walking Horse. Particular importance is placed on public education and training concerning the humane care, training, and treatment of all gaited horses.

Horse Protection Act Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a US government agency that enforces the Horse Protection Act. The HPA prohibits horses subjected to a process called soring from participating in exhibitions, sales, shows, or auctions. In addition, the Act prohibits drivers from hauling sored horses across State lines to compete in shows.

Soring is a practice used by unethical owners and trainers to artificially affect the natural gait of a horse to give it an unfair advantage in shows and competitions. This position paper is supplied by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This position is also supported by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).

The Gaited Horse magazine features gaited horses (wider classification that includes Tennessee Walking Horses). Website has a good deal of information on gaited horses and links to other useful websites. Here are this website's profiles on gaited horse breeds.