The Tennessee Walking Horse - Lite Shod to Performance

[IrissMulaa]

i dont like it and i think the horse doesnt like it too.

if my horse is walking, trotting or gallopping she has her ears forward and she likes it

[TheWhatAHorseShow]

Susan did a great job for the clinic and I apologize for getting her name wrong. This is one time when I should have paid more attention to the rider than the horse. Again I apologize.

[SusanShemwell]

The rider is Susan Shemwell!

[TheWhatAHorseShow]

MissMyrtheMay we would have never changed a horse that fast if it had not already been trained from flat shod to performance.This mare was capable of showing in any division but the owner felt she was much better in the flat shod classes. Great observance on your part to post this remark. When in training a horse will wear the shoe for some time before moving on or going back to flatshod it all depends on the horse. It is like I said the horse is the boss when it comes to which class to show in.

[MissMyrtleMay]

While the video does show the versatility of the TWH breed and I understand that this was for a demonstration, I am a tiny bit concerned for the horse in this video's well being. It seems to me that the quick change of shoes and weight in such a short amount of time would be hard on the horse's body and hooves. While to the public it might look like just a quick change of shoe and weight, each time the horse's angle had to be corrected, and adjusted to fit the shoe.

[TheWhatAHorseShow]

xxibitsuxx you are very right in your comment about abuse it is in every breed. As for this horse you will be happy to know the trainer realised the same thing you did and that is why she shows in the flat shod classes. She was used to explain the changes in the action of a horse when pads and action devices are added.Only 10% of our horses become a performance horse and just as this mare told her trainer other horses tell their trainer what class they belong in. Thank you for your post!!

[xxibitsuxx]

I've always thought these horses are so much more beautiful in their natural gait, without the pads and the chains. I'm not saying padding a horse is abuse, but I think it's a practice that is easy to turn into something abusive. Not to mention this horse looks progressively more tense and uncomfortable the more they add stuff onto his/her feet.

[TheWhatAHorseShow]

Nothing was wrong elijones930. This horse was used to show how a Walking Horse changes gaits as pads and weight are added.

In the Walking Horse Industry the Horse decides where it is best suited to show and in the case of this horse her best class is the Faltshod divisions and that is where she is shown. Hope this answers your question.

Happy New Year

[eljones930]

What was wrong with leaving the mare with the 2 oz device? I thought she looked the best then and not so good with the pads and heavier chain.

[TheWhatAHorseShow]

socrateacher you are right and I will continue to delete any that bash this breed or any other breed.

[socrateacher]

@TheWhatAHorseShow but.. you deleted MY comments, too. Please remove THIS.... because I don't want anyone who knows me thinking I agree with your methods. At least show me that much respect.

[socrateacher]

@TheWhatAHorseShow I'll never bash this breed... but I WILL question the validity of your training methods...



[TheWhatAHorseShow]

@socrateacher My problem with your post or any post is it points a finger at every one who own, trains or rides a walking horse. I know that there are people in this breed that use questionable methods to train but then doesn't every breed have those. Forums are no place to bring out the negative on any breed, it is a place to promote everything that is good about your breed and work towards removing those who abuse the horse. I won't remove your post out of respect for you not agreeing.

[socrateacher]

Looks like a few comments were deleted. Hmmm.

[BethyHatesYou]

What a great video to demonstrate the different movement of the horse with different shoeing. And that horse looks comfortable in whatever shoes she had on. You people are obnoxious. If the horse was that uncomfortable I'm pretty sure she'd be on the ground. Think about a little fly on a horse and how the horse will swish it's tail and let it be known. Anyway, this breed is so closely watched for soreness or any nicks before and after shows, it's not even funny!

[Ghoumba]

To bad they have to resort to artificial means like weighted shoes and chains to get the desired gait. Try a paso fino and get a natural four beat gait and smooth ride without weighted shoes and chains, just bare foot.

[SelfMadeTWH]

@Ghoumba The shoes and chains are not used to achieve the desired gait, they are used to accentuate the natural gait that the horse already performs. Which is what this video clearly demonstrates.

[TheWhatAHorseShow]

I have noticed that a few people from other breeds and GOD help me even some from our breed refuse to believee what they see. It does not ruin our breed or breeding, pleasuregaits and socrateacher know this.

Our breed shows in to it's teens and even 20s with no problems at all it can run, jump and give the best ride in the world and still there are those out there who will say we ruin our horse.

Those of you who refuse to believe what you see need to get a real life!!!

[socrateacher]

@TheWhatAHorseShow Actually, I'd appreciate it if you delete references to ME.. becauase I KNOW there is a better, more humane way to improve gaits than THIS kind of riding. Maybe the show ring demands this.... and that is a shame. Just because you do seminars and serve the 'show mentality' does NOT mean you are considering the well being of the horse. 

[pleasuregaits]

I'd rather call this video 'how to ruin a horse and a breed'.

[socrateacher]

@pleasuregaits BRAVO!~

[delahny]

I commend you for uploading what will surely draw plenty of comments, mostly from those who will look for the support of their own opinion and not the balanced presentation. Those involved, between horse, rider, farrier and speaker, are obviously trying to illustrate and educate, not advocate for any agenda. That your mare was capable of transitioning from flat shod to performance illustrates her talent. That the TWH can perform this spectrum illustrates its versitility. Thanks for the post.

[consanna]

It was unfortunate that the speaker used the word infamous in refering to the performance horse. What I think what he meant to say was this is what made the performance horse famous. And dusty41497, the video is of the same horse. Lite shod, Park, and Performance and as it clearly states the horse will show you where they are the happiest. To my eye this mare performs best in the Park Pleasure class.

[TheWhatAHorseShow]

dusty41497 your choice of words is what the disgrace is not the horse. This video I took this video while doing a seminar to show the natural ability of our horse and to show that our horse can do the gaits with out any abuse. People such as your self did not attend for one reason and one reason only you don't want the truth.

Living and telling a lie is a way of life for some people and this word you used to describe a beautiful horse shows where you stand.

[dusty41497]

a disgrace

[TWHryder]

love that mare