Frequently Asked Questions

Submit a question of your own

Association

Q. What are the benefits of joining TWHAC?
A. TWHAC members enjoy a $5 discount at all TWHAC affiliated shows, keep up with the latest news in the quarterly newsletter, and are encouraged to nominate their horses for year end honors in our high point program. Be sure to mention you are a member!

Q. How do I become a TWHAC Member?
A. Walking horse enthusiasts over age 18 are invited to join and enjoy the benefits of membership. Age is determined by an applicant's age as of January 1st of the calendar year. Download a TWHAC membership form with complete instructions and requirements.

Q. Can my child join TWHAC?
A. Yes, download the TWHAC Youth membership form.

Q. What benefits will my child get from joining the youth group?
A. The "Youth" Group is a subsidiary of TWHAC which serves the interests of our juvenile members, both inside and outside the show ring. The parent organization sponsors an annual Youth Show which serves as a fund-raiser to help underwrite the cost of the Youth Association activities. TWHAC conducts a points program for junior exhibitors and offers a number of outside recreational activities throughout the year.

Q. What is the TWHAC High Point Program?
A. TWHAC is proud to sponsor a Hi-Point Awards Program that recognizes the competitive participation, performance of TWHAC Members, and their appropriately nominated horses at specific shows throughout the year. TWHAC Member show participants and their nominated horses who compete and place in these shows will be eligible for TWHAC points. Hi-Point Awards are based on cumulative points earned at designated shows and are presented at the Annual TWHAC Year-End Awards Banquet. A list of TWHAC-pointed shows appears on our Events page.

Q. How can I participate in Trail Rides?
A. TWHAC is pleased to host a number of trail rides at scenic locations throughout the year. Information on upcoming Trail Rides will be linked from our Home Page.

When Are Meetings of the Board of Directors?
A. The TWHAC Board of Directors hold regular monthly meetings, typically on the first Tuesday evening of the month, but quarterly on a Sat. Board Meeting reminders will be sent to all TWHAC Board Members via email.

Q. When Are General Membership Meetings?
A. The TWHAC General Membership meeting is usually held in the Summer in the way of a social gathering and then again in the late fall/early winter for the Annual Year-End High Point Awards Presentation and for both the Election of Officers and Board of Directors for the upcoming year. General Membership Meetings will be noticed to all TWHAC Members via email. In addition information on upcoming General Membership Meetings will be posted

Q. Can you send me online communications instead of by postal mail?
A. While not all of our communications are currently e-mail only, if you provide/update your e-mail address with us, we will make every attempt to honor your request.

 

Showing Your Horse

Q. How do I find the Schedule for Upcoming Shows?
A. At the beginning of each year, the TWHAC Board of Directors establishes a Schedule of TWHAC-Pointed Shows. You can view this schedule navigating to the Events page.

Q. How can I get additional Show Information?
A. As it becomes available, complete information for each of the TWHAC-Pointed Shows will be accessible on-line. Navigate to the Events page and select the show of interest. The Class Schedule, Premium Book information and downloadable and printable entry forms will be accessible from this link, if applicable. Any amendments to the Show after the Premium Book has been issued will be announced on-line or posted in the show office directly.

Q. Can I enter my horse in a TWHAC show online?
A. Some TWHAC shows do allow online entries. Please check the Events page to see if online entries are available for the desired show and for further instructions.

Q. What is a DQP?
A. Gaited horses that fall under the Horse Protection Act must be inspected before and after upon winning (or as directed) to assure compliance. A DQP (Designated Qualified Person) is a person who under the law may be appointed authority by the management of a horse show or sale to inspect horses for the purposes of determining "soreness" and enforcing the law. DQPs must successfully complete a formal training program before becoming licensed and attend a training course annually to stay certified and licensed. Although they hold a license through a breed organization (known as an HIO -- Horse Industry Organization), these licenses are good nationwide and for any breed and are Federally sponsored. Once on the grounds they are akin to a Federal official and should be treated accordingly.

Q. Do I still have to pay the inspection fee if my horse doesn't show after being inspected?
A. Yes, if your horse was inspected the fee cannot be refunded under any circumstances.

 

Website or Advertising

Q. How can I have my barn/service listed on the TWHAC website?
A. Simply drop us an e-mail with the company/service you would like to see and we will add it to our free links page. All requests will be audited to be sure they are a good fit with TWHAC before being posted. Banner or logo ads are also available. Pricing is dependant upon size, location, and who provides the graphic.

Q. How would I go about advertising my services in the printed premium?
A. Contact the show manager listed for that particular show on the Events page. Advertising costs vary by size.

Q. I clicked "Print Class Sheet", but nothing came up. What happened?
A. TWHAC provides PDF versions of the class sheets that can be saved or printed if you have a PDF reader installed. There are numerous free PDF readers out there. We have had good luck with a small program called FoxIt Reader. Adobe Reader is a larger program, but very popular as well. After installing a PDF reader of your choice, click "Print Class Sheet" again to print.

 

The Tennessee Walking Horse

Q. What is a Tennessee Walking Horse?
A. The Tennessee Walking Horse is a native American breed that was developed in middle Tennessee to fill the need for a comfortable riding horse for those who spent many hours in the saddle. This breed is a composite of the Standard-bred Pacer, Thoroughbred, and Morgan Breeds as well as the "soft-gaited" lines of the American Saddlebred, Canadian Pacer and other selected domestic stock. The resulting breed is distinguished by its stamina and excellent disposition, but most of all by the smooth and easy four-beat walking gait, for which the 'Walking Horse' was named..

Q. What makes the gaits of the Tennessee Walking Horse unique?
A. You may very well ask, "but don't all horses walk?" Well, there's walking and then there's WALKING. Equine gaits are a function of the speed and sequence in which a horses feet strike the ground as he moves ahead. This movement translates directly to the type and degree of motion experienced by the rider. Virtually all breeds perform a basic 'walking gait' which is reasonably comfortable to the rider but often it is very slow, ambling, with no particular drive or speed. To achieve a desirable degree of speed, most other breeds must convert to a two-beat gait such as a trot (diagonal feet hitting the ground simultaneously) or - less commonly - a pace in which there is lateral motion (both feet on the same side striking the ground at once). The rider senses this change in gait very much like a 'shift' into a faster' gear' but a 'gear' which is often very jolting, requiring active posting or just 'bumping along' with the gait ... which can be quite rough on the horse also!
The TWH can perform its' smooth walking gait within a broad range of speeds; the FLAT WALK is a comfortable even gait which is easy on both horse and rider; the RUNNING WALK is an extension of the Flat Walk which is faster and bolder in its execution. Both walking gaits are characterized by strongly striding hindquarters, a notable head nod, and little or no motion in the saddle! The easy ride continues with a gentle, rolling CANTER, which is most often described by Walking Horse enthusiasts as 'nature's own rocking chair'.

Q. Are the gaits of the Tennessee Walking Horse "natural"?
A. While Walking Horses are born with the natural tendency to perform these unique gaits, they have been further refined and their style enhanced in certain very talented individuals for the show ring, in much he same way that basic human skills are developed to a high degree in the competitive athlete, professional dancer, or others who exhibit extraordinary physical skills.

Q. What are the Show Divisions of Tennessee Walking Horses?
A. There are several basic divisions defined by the shoeing and other equipment used as well as the degree of animation exhibited under saddle.

    They include:
    • Country Pleasure
    • Trail Pleasure
    • Liteshod
    • Plantation Pleasure
    • Park Pleasure
    • Park Performance
    • Show Pleasure
    • Show Horse

The Tennessee Walking Horse is also shown in-hand, and in driving classes as well as in a number of events which span virtually every facet of equine performance and come under the authority of the Breed's National Versatility Program.

Q. Where can I find a Professional Facility for Training, Boarding, Breeding and Lessons?
A. For your convenience we have provided some listings on our Links page to barns which offer training, boarding, breeding services as well as lessons and assistance. Many Champion Walking Horse Stallions are standing at stud on the West Coast too. These free listings are offered as a courtesy only and thus there are no warranties expressed or implied.

Revised March 11, 2011