17 HH Tenn. Walker - Will he gait smooth?

Thanks SO much for your input. I'm new to this whole gaited horse subject but you have helped me!

He sounds wonderful and I'm so jealous you've found a BIG TWH.

If you ever grow tired of him, I'll take him. ;)

Show us some photos!

LoL, I have one who's taller than 14.2...but then she was shipped over from Kentucky. You could be on to something, Rissa. I love the big, old-style walkers as well. I get my "Voice" magazine every month and am amazed at how small some of those poor horses seem under their riders - and maintaining a running walk, at that.

Walker Owner, my horse just turned 3 and is extremely clumsy. I have actually quit riding her and we are just working on her ground manners, because every time I got her into the running walk, she would stumble at first. I just don't think she's quite ready...she came to me "broke" in January, but she's just such a baby, physically and mentally. Sweet as can be, but still very timid and having that gangly, leggy look.

But I think Walkers in general can tend to be late bloomers, slow to develop, etc. I have noticed that Annie still seems to be "finding her gait." Sometimes it's smooth as silk, and sometimes when I was riding her I would wonder what the heck she was doing to be so bumpy.

I wouldn't worry, and congratulations on having such a big ole' walker! I agree with everyone else, I would LOVE to see pictures.

Hi,

I'm really glad you started this thread. I have a 5 y.o. walker gelding that is over 17hh and he also seems very uncoordinated at times. He's getting a lot better though with the more training and work he's had, but he still has his moments. He even has a big ol' head to match his body, I've had to get warmblood and draft sized bridles and fly masks for him. I'm so used to his size now, that the other "averaged" sized horses at the barn have started to look like ponies to me.

hahah did you know tripping is what TWH do best!!!!!!!!! hahaha and 17+ is acually a good size for a walker. also they are the the most unbalenced horses ever! that why his gaits bumpy cus you have to set him on his back end and balance him ot him!! :) good luck!!

LOL I know part of Sonny's problem right now is that he has the attention span of a gnat and looks everywhere else except where he's going. LOL

LoL, WHAT? A walker with a big head?

(Note my previous posts about Annie's "mule head.")

psshhhh like everyone else has said, your LUCKY to have found a big Walker, the Walkers I used to ride were 15.2 and 16.1, and they have only gotten smaller. I'm a sucker for the tall horses... my TB is 17.1 and my Clyde is 18.2, I doubt my Paint will hit 16hh (trying to find the Miracle Grow for horses still).

and yes Walkers are slower to mature, but that's the beauty of them, more time to develop WONDERFUL ground manners and that special bond we all love.

Good luck with him! I call second dibs on him after Rissa!!!

I'd advice against mechanical hackamores and bosals, since they're stronger than the hand and has an indirect effect. Just a plain snaffle, or maybe a pelham with double reins, where you'd only use the lower rein as an emergency-break for your own safety - if that's the reason you chose such a harsh bit to start with.

And 2 years old sounds very young..

I don't know much about TWHs, I just knows about horses, so I can't answer the rest.