Section 3 Breed Specific Rules Chapter 13 Judging Specifics for the Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) ............................................ 3-1 Chapter 14 Judging Specifics for the Rocky Mountain Horse (RMH) ................................................. 3-9 Chapter 15 Judging Specifics for the Paso Fino Horse (PF) ..............................................................3-24 Chapter 16 Judging Specifics for the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse (MFT) .........................................3-28 Chapter 17 Judging Specifics for Racking Horse (RH) ......................................................................3-32 Chapter 18 Judging Specifics for the Spotted Saddle Horse (SSH)..................................................3-35 Chapter 19 Judging Specifics for the Mangalarga Marchador Horse (MM) ..................................... 3-37 Chapter 20 Judging Specifics for the Gaited Morgan Horse (GMO) ................................................. 3-41 Chapter 21 Judging Specifics for the Florida Cracker Horse (FCH) ..................................................3-45 Chapter 22 Judging Specifics for the United Mountain Horse (UMH) .............................................. 3-47 Chapter 23 Judging Specifics for the Tiger Horse (TH) ......................................................................3-55 Chapter 24 Judging Specifics for the Gaited Spanish Mustang (GSM) ............................................3-59 Chapter 25 Judging Specifics for the Mountain Pleasure Horse (MPH)...........................................3-63 Chapter 26 Judging Specifics for the Spanish Jennet Horse (SJH) ..................................................3-65 Chapter 27 Judging Specifics for the Peruvian Paso Horse (PE) ......................................................3-75 Chapter 13: Judging Specifics for the Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) The IJA Rule Book does not restrict or prohibit cross entries as described in TWH 101. between Divisions. However, show management has the • Classes for Tennessee Walking Horses comprise 2 sections: right to limit or prohibit cross entries between any Divi- o In Hand including Halter, Model, Suitability as a Sire or sions and breed specific Country Pleasure classes or any Dam, Produce of Dam and Get of Sire classes. o Under Saddle including English Division, Trail Pleasure Divisions and Open Gaited Breed Country Pleasure Classes Division and Western Division. Notice to exhibitors: Shoes are given • All Tennessee Walking Horses must adhere to the Shoeing Regulations as outlined in Chapter 4 and the Tack and Attire names by manufacturer, owners, breed Regulations as outlined in Chapter 6. associations and show rules that may • Show management may utilize various and specific criteria to create classes, such as Amateur Owned and Trained, be confusing. The same shoe may have Amateur to Ride, Open, 15.2 and under, over 15.2, Youth etc. different names in different Rule Books. Combining English and Western exhibitors in the same class, although discouraged, is acceptable if show management Although the name is different, the de- deems it necessary. scription of the shoe remains the same. TWH 101 GAITS OF THE TWH Working Walk For the purpose of this Rule book, no The working walk is a slow, even four beat walk. The head and neck matter the nomenclature (name) the al- are lowered as the horse stretches into the rider’s hand showing relaxation and acceptance of the bit. At the working walk the horse lowable shoe will be as described in this is calm and relaxed. There is no need for restraint on the part of rule book. It is the measurement not the the rider and there is observable slack in the reins. name that determines the allowable shoe. Flat Walk • The flat walk is a bold, ground covering gait that is even and Consequently, no matter the name given four beat. in other Rules Books, in the IJA Rule book, • Each foot must both leave and strike the ground indepen- dently and be accompanied by a pronounced vertical head the dimensions determine the allowable nod that begins in the vicinity of the shoulder and involves the whole neck and head, not just the head alone. shoe. The largest allowable shoe under • The footfall sequence is left hind, left front, right hind, right these rules is – 3/4 inch by 3/8 inch as 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 described in Chapter 4, section 407 as in hits the ground the left foreleg is half way through its stride Chapter 6, section 608. putting the left foreleg hoof even with the right foreleg when the right foreleg is vertical.) As of January 1, 2011 • The horse appears to pull with his front legs and drive from • The largest permissible shoe at FOSH shows will be his rear legs. 3/4 inch by 3/8 inch as described in Chapter 4. • The rear legs track straight over the tracks of the front feet and must appear to move effortlessly. As of January 1, 2008 • The action of the back foot stepping over the track of the front • The maximum toe length including the shoe will foot is known as overstride and is preferred over tracking up be 4.5 inches for all Tennessee Walking Horses, or capping. Spotted Saddle Horses, Racking Horses and Mis- • A Tennessee Walking Horse nods its head in rhythm with the souri Fox Trotters. cadence of its feet. This head motion, along with overstride, are important factors to be considered in judging walking As of January 1, 2006 horse classes. • the allowable size of trailers on the 3/4 inch by 3/8 • The flat walk is not a speed gait and should be much slower inch shoe shall be 1 inch. The previous allowable than the running walk. size was ½ inch. Running Walk • the Clear Ground Control Horseshoe will be allowed • The running walk is a smooth, gliding gait with the same in competition at FOSH sanctioned shows. The footfall as the flat walk but with an increase in speed and stride. Speed however, must never be tied over form. Clear Ground Control Horseshoe for may be used • The gait is natural to the breed and must not appear to be with the center bar intact. artificial in execution. TWH 100 General • The running walk is executed freely showing “a looseness in • Tennessee Walking Horses are considered pleasure horses and motion.” demonstrate the qualities of a pleasure horse. They display an • The running walk should appear to be a pleasure for both alert and willing attitude with no indication of nervousness or horse and rider. difficult behavior. They are calm, quiet, responsive, relaxed, • The horse pulls with its front feet and drives well under itself obedient, smooth and display good manners. There is no with his hind quarters. evidence of resistance (wringing tail, ears back etc). • The horse continues to nod its head while executing the run- • All Tennessee Walking Horses must demonstrate correct gaits ning walk. The head nod must originate in the shoulder and continue up the neck column. A head that merely pecks or a Independent Judges Association Rule Book Effective January 1, 2020; FOSH Copyright www.FOSH.info Section 3-1 Chapter 13: Judging Specifics for the Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) head that remains stationary is incorrect. • When relaxed, some Tennessee Walking Horses flop their TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE IN HAND DIVISION ears or click their teeth in rhythm with the gait. Unless these TWH 102 General actions appear to be the result of discomfort or improper • Horses must be exhibited by a single exhibitor except in biting, they will not be penalized. Produce of Dam and Get of Sire classes where one exhibitor handles each entry. Judging of the flat walk and running walk • Classes may be subdivided by age or gender at the option of • Horses displaying lameness will be excused or eliminated. show management. • Correct form is stressed and prized. • Weanlings and Yearlings must be shown barefoot. • Smoothness and the appearance of a comfortable ride for • Unruly or ill-mannered horses will be excused from the ring. the rider are essential to the proper demonstration of form. • Emphasis is placed on type, conformation, substance, quality, • Judging of the flat walk and running walk will not be influenced turnout and evaluation of the way of going. by either speed or animation, unless the class specifically • When movement is a component of the class, Tennessee calls for animation as a required element. However, animation Walking Horses reflect natural looseness with free moving alone is never tied above a horse that exhibits better form shoulders and ample overstride. Strong emphasis is placed and footfall but has less animation. on natural movement. • The appearance of laboring at the running walk will be penalized • In breeding classes: • There must be an observable distinction in speed between o All horses will be checked for correct mouths. the flat and the running walk. Failure to exhibit this distinction o Mature stallions will be checked for the presence of two of speed will be penalized. testicles. • Excessive speed in the running walk resulting in a loss of form o The vaginas of mares will be checked for good reproductive will be penalized. conformation. • A horse that merely pecks its head rather than nods its head o Desirable characteristics that can be passed on through will be penalized. breeding will be rewarded. • A horse whose head remains stationary will be penalized. o Transmissible weaknesses and/or unsoundness (club foot, Canter and Lope parrot mouth, etc.) will be severely penalized. • The canter in English classes or the lope in Western classes o Surface blemishes may be overlooked. is smooth, collected, economical and straight on both leads. TWH 103 Light Horse Type and Conformation The horse is not walking behind but cantering on both ends When judging TWH, the registry requirements will prevail. with a three beat count and a rolling motion. • In general the ideal light horse has a neat head, well shaped • The horse canters or lopes on the correct lead for the direc- ears, large eyes, and a tapering muzzle. tion of the ring unless a counter canter is requested.