TN Walker People, I Need Your Help

Ok, so, when I bought my 6 year old TN Walker gelding Spirit, I didn't know anything about Walking Horses. Every book I read said that they were generally calm. Then when I finally brought him to the barn, my trainer (Mrs. Jenny) said that no, all Walkers are hyper/entergetic . . . but my Walker was so unimaginably calm (it's not just me, everyone comments on how calm he is for a 6 year old). Then I rode another TN Walker that was completely insane!! I mean she was bonkers, wackadoodle, banana sandwich, her elevator didn't reach the top floor, whatever you wanna call it but she was CrAzY! Now I'm confused, are Walkers generally calm, or entergetic, or insane?

One of the reasons I'm asking this was because my friend's dad saw how calm Spirit was and wanted to by one for my friend's brother (with aspergers). But if Walkers are generally entergetic/insane, then I'm afraid the horse will be to much for him or he'll get hurt.

Please don't believe for a second that TWHs are high-strung and hot. Those only would be the ones in the show ring that have PURPOSELY been 'souped up' for a good show. TWHS and most gaited breeds at that, are KNOWN for being a laid-back breed. I rode a 3 year old SSH once who was 16.1 hands. The SWEETEST horse. So docile nobody believed his age.

You probably ran into an ex-show horse who had been abused in the show ring. Many come off scarred for life. We once had a TWH who had ring-anxiety. We found out later he'd been raced and beaten in a ring. Whenever we were trail riding and a horse got near him he'd FREAK because he thought he was going to be beaten for not being 'in the lead'. So sad. Very sweet and docile horse in any other way.

I had 3 TWH growing up (still have one) and they were/are the sweetest most laid back horses. My dad used to put my brother and me on his stud colt (3-4 years old) and walk around the pasture with Red following him. No lead rope/saddle/anything. The mares were the same way. Very sweet, gentle, and laid-back. My sister used to walk under their bellies (I wouldn't recommend this obviously!) and they wouldn't twitch. Great horses, congrats on owning one!

sunny06 you're probably right. The insane horse I rode was their 3 year old show horse.

^^ Oh. And I'm not saying they are ALL that way. We had a show horse who acted like he was on drugs most of the time he was SO sweet. Just be careful when you buy and watch out for Ace ;)