Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Flat Walk and Running Walk

Is there a difference between a flat walk and a flat-footed walk? What is the difference between a flat walk and a running walk? If you ride non-gaited horses, you’re probably wondering what are these gaits anyway?

The collection of videos below show my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse at a flat walk and running walk, as well as at a flat-footed walk and a medium walk. All four gaits have a head and neck nod. All four gaits have four evenly times foot fall sequences. However, only two of the four gaits are smooth: the flat walk and the running walk. The flat-footed walk and the medium walk have a lot of motion for the rider to follow with their lower back. The difference between the flat walk and running walk is lengthening of stride to cover more ground.

Dressage is the method of training my naturally gaited horses have learned. This method teaches mental and physical relaxation, balance, rhythm, forward movement without rushing, connection, symmetry and collection to develop the full range of motion and quality of smooth gaits on cue for long-term soundness. By teaching the naturally gaited horse how to relax can break up the body bracing that causes pacing. Plus, dressage exercises such as the shoulder in and shoulder fore are great in breaking up a pacey foot fall sequence for a smoother four beat flat walk. I ride my Tennessee walking horse in a mild snaffle bit, without mechanical devices, and barefoot. 

Many videos are shown in regular and slow motion so you can see the sequence of foot falls.

Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse
Flat Walk

Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse
Flat Walk on a Loose Rein

Many people believe that a Tennessee walking horse cannot perform a natural four-beat flat walk on a loose rein. I think my TWH prefers flat walking on a loose rein. What do you think?

Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Running Walk

A Collection of Walks by a Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse 

The following video shows a naturally gaited and barefoot Tennessee walking horse performing the free walk, medium walk, flat walk and running walk in regular and slow motion. All four of these walks display a regular four-beat sequence with a head nod and over track. Over track refers to the hind hoof stepping in front of the fore hoof print. (If you have one to two feet of over track in a Tennessee walking horse walk, give your horse a really big pat!)

Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Medium Walk, Flat Walk and Running Walk

Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse
Flat Footed Walk or Flat Walk?

This video explains how I differentiate between the Tennessee walking horse flat footed walk and flat walk.

Tennessee Walking Horse Flat Footed Walk

Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse
Flat Footed Walk on a Loose Rein

Medium Walk

The video below shows me and my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse Makana ridden barefoot and in a fulmer snaffle bit performing a balanced four-beat medium walk in regular and slow motion.

Things to notice in this medium walk video:

• The horse’s head and neck nod in timing with the hind leg steps
• The rider’s relaxed elbows and hands following the natural head and neck motion of the horse while maintaining an even contact with the snaffle bit
• The horse maintains a nod at or ahead of the vertical, not falling behind the vertical
• The horse is evenly carrying its weight and is connected from back to front, engaging the abs to lift the back to a neutral position while lifting the shoulders, neck, and head. This back to front connection creates balance
• The horse is relaxed and the steps are evenly timed with rhythm
• The horse steps deep under its body to create maximum length of stride and that the hind foot over tracks the fore hoof print. The rider’s hip joints are following, not driving, the natural motion of the horse’s back

One of the ways to know the difference between the naturally gaited medium walk and flat walk is that when the naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse moves from the medium walk to the flat walk, the rider will experience less motion to follow with the hip joints.

Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Medium Walk or Flat Walk?

This video explains how I differentiate between the medium walk and flat walk.

Four Walks on a Loose Rein

This video shows the same horse on the same day at a free walk, flat-footed walk, flat walk and running walk in regular and slow motion.

I hope this is helpful. Let me know your thoughts by sending a message.

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