American Walking Pony
Country of originUnited States
Traits
Height
  • Up to 14 hands (56 inches, 142 cm)[1]

The American Walking Pony is a modern American breed of gaited riding pony. It was created by crossbreeding of the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Welsh Pony.[1]: 436  Originally developed in Georgia,[2] the breed was established in 1968 after several years of selective breeding. Joan Hudson Brown is credited as the founder of the breed and was the first executive secretary of the breed registry. The original breeding goal was to combine the smooth gait of the Tennessee Walker with the small size and refinement of the Welsh pony.[3] Any combination of the two breeds is acceptable for the registry.[4]

Foundation stock for the breed included BT Golden Splendor, the first stallion recorded with the registry, and the mare Browntree's Flicka, who was given registration number 1. The desired ambling gaits of the breed are smooth, called the Pleasure Walk and the Merry Walk. Ponies are also able to trot and canter, and have been exhibited in five-gaited competition.[3] The gaitedness ability is hereditary, and promoters of the breed claim that it actually can execute seven gaits, stating that this ability is comparable to the famous Tennessee Walking Horse stallion Roan Allen, though the two additional gaits are not specified. In addition to riding, the breed is also shown in formal driving, pleasure driving, and pony show jumping.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Porter, Valerie; Alderson, Lawrence; Hall, Stephen J. G.; Sponenberg, D. Phillip (9 March 2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding, 2 Volume Pack. CABI. p. 436. ISBN 9781780647944.
  2. ↑ American Walking Pony/United States of America. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed June 2017.
  3. 1 2 "American Walking Pony". American Livestock Breeds. Oklahoma State University. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Hendricks, Bonnie L. (1995). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 26-27. ISBN 9780806127538.


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