Walk This Way
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WALK THIS WAY Want to know years ago with the the secret to suc- intent to purchase cess - the four- some land eventually year plan? Rafael and get a horse. Valle of Citra, Ivory Pal came Fla. has found it along before they had and you're going .... found their 20-acre to love it! Turn farm. "When we the trails into bought Ivory, I was- your training n't looking for a ground, he says. horse. But, I remem- "I do about 95% ber seeing him stand- of my training on ing there in a stall the trails. For and there was some- example, we thing very special practice on tran- about him that cap- sitions and open- tured me. We didn't ing gaits while . even have our land or on the trails and our farm yet," said sometimes we Valle. Digest and suggested we write a story: jump a downed tree rather than going When they purchased the "This stallion is very unique and tal- around it," explained Valle about his Kissimmee-bred, 3-year-old Tennessee ented. I have judged him at several rides aboard his Tennessee Walking Walker stallion, Valle said "there were shows and seen him perform in exhibi- Horse, Ivory Pal. "It keeps his mind tions." several people who said we were crazy active and interested." to have paid $12,000" for an unproven Valle got Ivory Pal about five years horse that originally was not consid- ago and in his first year showing the by ered "showring" material. stallion, they ended the year with the Shaneen Kohler The farm followed about a year Friends of Sound Horses Horse of the later. Year title and the FOSH Southeastern Valle had his work cut out for him, And, she wasn't even aware of one though, getting Ivory Pal in shape. Grand Championship award. That was of the other amazing aspects to this "Before we purchased the stallion, in 2004, just four years after Valle pur- story. When Valle bought Ivory Pal, he chased Ivory Pal and their first year had not been on a horse since his Ivory Pal had been confined to his stall 24/7 during the critical and develop- together in the show ring. This year, childhood days, when he used to ride mental first three years of his life," their record is even better and they in the summers. "This is my first horse said Valle. So, for three years, Valle hope to get even more awards when I have ever owned," he confessed. and Ivory Pal became regular sights on they perform on Dec. 3 at ~he FOSH "I grew up in Miami, There isn't Florida's trails and bridlepaths. Southeastern U.S. Championship and much room for horses down there," During that time, Valle showered Stallion Exhibition at the Jacksonville said Valle. But, he and his wife the stallion with "a lot of TLC" and (Fla.) Equestrian Center. "He has got- Stefanie had always had a common made it a practice to spend about half ten a lot stronger and understands his goal of owning a horse. "We share a an hour with him before riding to job now," said Valle. passion for horses," said Valle. But, in bond, groom him and rub his eyes. Even the judges who have seen him addition to time and work constraints, "We developed a pretty strong rela- have been amazed at their talents. Jan land was in short supply. tionship,''' said Valle, who commented Mock, a judge who had seen them That is where Marion County came compete, wrote to Horse Capital in. They moved to the Ocala area 13 continued on pg. 12 10 HorseCapitalDigest. November2005 . continued from pg. 10 -1 have helped us get to this point," , I said Valle. that Ivory Pal, who is now out 24/7, But, Valle is the first to admit "waits for me at the gate every that Ivory Pal makes it easy for day." him. "You ask him and he'll do it." When Ivory Pal's muscles start- Valle uses natural horsemanship ed to show some definition and he techniques, which completely started to strengthen his natural agrees with Ivory Pal, who "does- gaits, Valle started incorporating n't respond well to traditional some more challenging moves into training methods usually." Valle is their routine. And, last year, decid- still amazed that, as a first-time ed it was time to show off some of horse owner and trainer, he can those barefoot moves. work with Ivory Pal and "get him Some of those moves consist of to do all the things that he does. It the natural gaits Tennessee Walkers is a testament to the temperament, are known for, in addition to dres- ;~ intelligence, athleticism and coop- erative nature of Ivory Pal. He is a sage, jumping, rearing, bowing, the ~ ~ wonderful horse who makes it Spanish walk, the canter and, late- ~ ~. -~ ~ ly, some driving and bridleless I ---"--'- 1 easy, even for an amateur." work combined with a little piaffe, Valle said Ivory Pal is the gen- passage and sidepass. Valle is especial- is also his training partner. "I trained tlest horse at their farm, which now ly fond of practicing his dressage tech- him myself with the help of many peo- consists of three other Tennessee niques, as he believes "it helps me ple, including classical dressage train- Walkers - two of which come from become a better rider with my seat, not ers, naturally gaited trainers and natu- ral horsemanship trainers. Plus, I have my reins or a bit." continued on pg. 14 Valle is not only Ivory Pal's rider, he a great farrier and veterinarian who Tennessee ,Walking Horse Buying Tips Thisinformation was compliments of www.twhbea.com one or more areas of expertise suchas pleasure riding, field .Determine your purpose before you start looking. Do trials/ versatilityevents, ranch work, or in the show arena. you want a horse suitable for trail riding or showing/ or .As with any purchase/ if you are unfamiliar with the both? Are you capable of starting a young ,animal/ or do product, you should know the seller. And, if you don't you need an older anima,l established in its gait? Will you know the breed or the seller, you would be wise to seek want to raise Joals later or is a gelding better suited for the assistance of a knowledgeable professional to help your purposes? you evaluate the horse aod its sale price as they relate to .Make sure of the gait. Whatever use you have in mind your intended osage. for your horse/ remember to look for the chief distinguishing .Many buyers consider a pre-purchase exam by an characteristic of the Tennessee Walker -its smooth/ easy equioe ve~erinariao to be well worth the cost. Overall gait. The gait is natural so it should be present from the time se>l!odoessis important and/ if you will be using your horse the weanling first begins moving. How.weUthe gait,s'are to produce foals, suitability for breeding should also be performed often depends on the horse's age andtraining. evaluated. Are you buying potential or proven ability? Many buy- .Familiarize yourself with TWHBEA'srules and regula- ers who are looking for a potential show conte~der will ti,ons.Make sure the last recorded owner on the horse's reg- purchase their TWH as a 2 year old. Tennessee Walking istration certificate matches the seller on the transfer form. Horses often begin their show career at this young age and Both the certificate and transfer form must be signed by the are started under saddle early to determine their potential. last recorded owner and both must be submitted to TWH- Top 2-year-olds frequently demand te>Pdollar even though SEA for proper recording of the transfer. they are unproven in the show arena. .Be aware of the strict bloodtyping requirements that .There are advantages to buying an aged horse. By 5 are in effect. Be sure the animal you are considering pur- years/ a horse willhave reached maturityin terms of tem- chasing has met all TWHBEA requirements with regard te> perament/ gait, and size. It may have prOVenits worth in bloodtyping! 12 HorseCapitalDigest· November2005 The different gaits The Tennessee Walking Horse per- basically the same as the flat walk, forms three distinct gaits: the flat foot except speeds from 10-20 mph can walk, runningwalk, and canter. These be reached. As the speed is three are the gaits for which the increased, the horse oversteps the Tennessee Walking Horse is famous, front track with the back by a dis- with the runningwalk being an inher- tance of 6-18 inches. The more ited, natural gait unique to this breed. "stride" the horse has, the better Many Tennessee Walking Horses are "walker" it is considered to be. A nod able to perform the rack, stepping can be seen at this gait, as well. pace, fox-trot, single-foot and other The third gait is the canter, which is variations of the runningwalk. a collected gallop. The canter is per- The flat walk isa brisk, long-reach- formed in much the same way as ing walk that can reach 4~8 mph.This other breeds, but the walking horse continued from pg. 12 is a four cornered gait with each of seemsto have a more relaxed way of the horse's feet hittingthe ground sep- performing this gait. The canter lifts the same bloodlines as Ivory Pal - aratelyat regular intervals. The the front end giving an easy rise and and one Spotted Saddle Horse.