Stryder, an All American Tennessee Walking Horse
Horse Tales

“In riding a horse,

we borrow freedom.”

– Helen Thompson

It seems only fitting to write about an American breed of horse this week. We have a fine example of a true American horse on Mackinac Island, and that is a horse known as Stryder. This horse is a well-bred Tennessee Walker and John and Penny Barr of the West Bluff own him. This is his third summer on the Island and he spends his off-season months in south central Michigan, where he originally came from.

Stryder is a gelding in his late teens.

Stryder is a gelding in his late teens. He is a deep sorrel (chestnut) color with a sturdy build, rounded hindquarters, and a high set arched neck. For his size (15.1 hands), he has a strong chest and a long underline (area between front and back legs) that allows for a very long stride, hence his name, Stryder.

The Tennessee Walker, or the Tennessee Walking Horse, was developed in the middle of that state in the 1800s. These are gaited horses, meaning that their gaits, or ways of going, have a bit more to them than just the walk, trot, canter, or gallop. “Gaited equines” have within the walk and trot several unique ways in which their feet and legs work, producing additional steps, or walks. The action of a back foot slipping over the front track is known as an overstride. Other names for movements in the gaited horses are pace, fox trot, rack, single foot, and running walk. It is the “running walk” or the “Tennessee” that this horse is famous for. The Walker will glide over the track left by the front foot with his hind foot-right rear over right front, left rear over left front. This produces a smooth but tremendously fast ground covering walk that can get to a speed of more than 13 miles per hour.

The Tennessee Walker was the first breed of horse to bear the state name - the Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH). He was bred from a variety of horses, Pacers, Saddlebreds, American Standardbreds, Narragansett pacers, and Morgans. The ideal was a horse that farmers could use to plow as well as carry his owners over the many fields and the rocky terrain of Tennessee.

The nodding rhythm of its step is a classic trait of the Tennessee Walker and is evident in Stryder. The Walker is also known for its “rocking chair canter,” which is, again, unique to the breed. Actually, it’s a collected canter, but very smooth and yes, quite similar to the feeling of being in a rocking chair, by virtue of the way the horse’s whole body will rock from back to forward.

These horses have a large, loyal following. Many people with back problems choose a Tennessee Walker to enjoy for trail riding because they’re so smooth.

Don’t let Stryder fool you just because he’s sweet, affectionate, and has wonderful ground manners. When he moves, he has lightning action and can virtually take your breath away. This fellow loves it here and is good with other horses, as long as he’s first. Because of his stride, or his walk, being naturally fast, he leaves most of his fellow equines in the dust without meaning to.

Most Tennessee Walkers average 15-plus in hands. There are smaller horses in the TWH breed, but there are some Walkers as high as 17 hands. The most common colors are chestnut and black, followed by palomino and pinto.

The TWHBEA (Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders & Exhibitors Association) was formed in 1935. Close to 300,000 horses have been registered since its inception. These horses can jump very well and make great cutting horses. Many Walkers are used for ranch work and handicapped riding programs. They have great stamina and are easy keepers. Walkers tend to live well into their 30s.

There are a few other horses that have a bit of gaited horse in them that are on Mackinac. As of now, Stryder is Mackinac’s only full-blooded Tennessee Walker. He’s a nice fellow.

We hope that all of you, as well as he, have a safe and happy Fourth.

Candice Dunnigan is an active member of the American Equestrian Association, the Waterloo Hunt, and the Mackinac Island Horsemen’s Association. Seasonally she resides at Donnybrook and Easterly Cottage.

(Photograph courtesy of Carin Quirke, Grand Hotel Photography)