Working Walk (sometimes referred to as a dog walk)  -  The working walk is a slow, even four beat walk. The head and neck are lowered as the horse stretches into the rider’s hand showing relaxation and acceptance of the bit. At the working walk the horse is clam and relaxed. There is no need for restraint on the part of the rider and there is observable slack in the reins.

Flat Walk  -   The flat walk is a bold, ground covering gait that is even and four beat. • Each foot must both leave and strike the ground independently and be accompanied by a pronounced vertical head nod that begins in the vicinity of the shoulder and involves the whole neck and head, not just the head alone. • The footfall sequence is left hind, left front, right hind, right front. To create the proper timing, a hind foot is always one-half stride ahead of the front foot. (When the left hind foot first hits the ground the left foreleg is half way through its stride putting the left foreleg hoof even with the right foreleg when the right foreleg is vertical.) • The horse appears to pull with his front legs and drive from his rear legs. • The rear legs track straight over the tracks of the front feet and must appear to move effortlessly. • The action of the back foot stepping over the track of the front foot is known as overstride and is preferred over tracking up or capping. • A Tennessee Walking Horse nods its head in rhythm with the cadence of its feet. This head motion, along with overstride, are important factors to be considered in judging walking horse classes. • The flat walk is not a speed gait and should be much slower than the running walk.

Running Walk  -   The running walk is a smooth, gliding gait with the same footfall as the flat walk but with an increase in speed and stride. Speed however, must never be tied over form. • The gait is natural to the breed and must not appear to be artificial in execution. • The running walk is executed freely showing “a looseness in motion”. • The running walk should appear to be a pleasure for both horse and rider. • The horse pulls with its front feet and drives well under itself with his hind quarters. • The horse continues to nod its head while executing the running walk. The head nod must originate in the shoulder and continue up the neck column. A head that merely pecks or a head that remains stationary is incorrect. • When relaxed, some Tennessee Walking Horses flop their ears or click their teeth in rhythm with the gait. Unless these actions appear to be the result of discomfort or improper biting, they will not be penalized.

Judging of the flat walk and running walk   -  Horses displaying lameness will be excused or eliminated. • Correct form is stressed and prized. • Smoothness and the appearance of a comfortable ride for the rider are essential to the proper demonstration of form.  • Judging of the flat walk and running walk will not be influenced by either speed or animation, unless the class specifically calls for animation as a required element. However, animation alone is never tied above a horse that exhibits better form and footfall but has less animation. • The appearance of laboring at the running walk will be penalized • There must be an observable distinction in speed between the flat and the running walk. Failure to exhibit this distinction of speed will be penalized. • Excessive speed in the running walk resulting in a loss of form will be penalized. • A horse that merely pecks its head rather than nods its head will be penalized. • A horse whose head remains stationary will be penalized.

Canter and Lope  -  The canter in English classes or the lope in Western classes is smooth, collected, economical and straight on both leads. The horse is not walking behind but cantering on both ends with a three beat count and a rolling motion. • The horse canters or lopes on the correct lead for the direction of the ring unless a counter canter is requested  • The horse remains comfortably in hand at the canter or lope. • Judges may ask for the canter or lope to be extended. The stride is increased in length rather than speed.

Judging of the Canter or Lope  -  Pumping or snatching of the reins will be severely penalized. • Four beat canters or lopes will be severely penalized. • Cross cantering or cross firing will be severely penalized. • A horse that is run into the rail as a means of picking up the correct canter lead or a horse that is kicked in the shoulder or in front of the g irth as a canter cue will be severely penalized  • Excessive speed at the canter will be penalized.  • Cantering in place will be penalized. The horse must move forward.  • A mechanical or exaggerated rocking chair appearance will be penalized.

For a brief visual and comparison of the "easy gaits" please view this diagram taken from the  IJA rule book.  

UPWHA supports sound training, riding and exhibition for ALL horse breeds

We welcome your questions and comments, and want to invite you to come visit with us at one of our scheduled shows or events. 

For more information please email: 

phone: Joyce Guillemot, President at 816-690-4515 jjguillemot@gmail.com

or Vice President Kelly Hewitt at 573-999-7232   amstar176@aol.com