Racking Horse

The Racking Horse is related to the Tennessee Walking Horse. It came about on the Southern plantations before the Civil War. This horse was very popular among plantation owners. Because of its easy gait, the owners could ride the horses through the fields without felling tired. In the 1970s, the Racking Horse breed registry was established. It separated the breed from the Tennessee Walking Horse, which was more showy. This breed, however, was more suitable for pleasure riding. In 1975, the Racking Horse gained the title of the official State Horse of Alabama. The name of the horse comes from the word “rack,” which is the old way to say “gait.” This horse has a four-beat gait, which is known as the single-foot. Accordingly, each foot touched the ground at different times. The Racking Horse participates in trail riding competitions, as well as English and western pleasure and performance classes. The Racking Horse has a four-beat gait called the single-foot, where each foot touches the ground individually. It can also have a show gait, which is a trained, higher stepping motion. This breed comes in many different colors, including roan, palomino, buckskin, and spotted.