Calling all gaited people again: what is the breeding distinction between TWH and Racking Horse?

Question

I've done plenty of research and am not just looking for wikipedia links and the standard literature on the Racking Horse, but for hopefully some personal knowledge from being exposed to or involved with the breed.

1. What is the breeding distinction between a TWH and a Racking Horse? Or asked another way: What ancestor breeds mark the distinction in the development of TWH's vs. the Racking Horse?

My vet who lived in Alabama at one point (State Horse) only could tell me that Racking Horses are kin to TWH's, but not exactly the same, breeding-wise.

I've also noticed certain Racking Horses are built with more bone and substance (an overall "thicker look), like Grave Digger:

http://www.mullinsfarm.com/sold/gravedigger.htm

2. Some people mistake my Racking Horse for a draft-X or outright draft, what ancestor breeds influence this 'drafty' look?

Answer 1

answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=200...

A similar question was asked a few months ago, here is the link to it if that helps.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

try it now it just worked for me

Answer 2

Yes, they are different. The Racking Horse was derived from the TWH, however in the early 70's they branched off to create a similar, but separate breed, driven by the fact that at the time, there were no show venues for a flat shod gaited horse. The Racking horse, interestingly enough, was partially developed as a horse the mid-class working family could ride, train, enjoy and afford. The goal was to create a horse that could be ridden and shown with out pads or weighted shoes and would gait naturally. They also were to have an amicable, easy going temperament and be easy for an amateur owner to train. They were one of the original gaited breeds derived specifically as a pleasure horse.

The fact that the foundation stock of  today's Racking Horse are Tennessee Walking Horses explains much about the breed. The Racking Horse performs the rack, which is similar to the running walk of the Tennessee Walking Horse, although more collection is present in the Racking Horse's movement. Racking Horses do not have set tails as do many Tennessee Walking Horses. The original foundation horses were chosen for their ability to "single foot" or rack.

The RHBAA has two procedures for registration. The primary procedure involves a foal out of two registered Racking Horses and is called pedigree registration.  The sire and dam must be registered racking at the time of service in order for the foal to be eligible for pedigree registration.  Sire, dam, and foal must all be blood-typed before a registration is complete. Stallion Reports are required.  

   The RHBAA has also re-opened its books for registration.  This means you may have your horse commission registered if he/she is performing a four-beat gait verified by personal inspection  and approved by a qualified  licensed  RHBAA  commissioner to determine that the horse is capable of performing the rack.and eligible for registration.

All commission registered horses born in 1994 and after must be blood-typed to be registered.  

The breed differences you describe are not that unusual. Take the TWH breed as an example. Within the breed genotype you will find the overly refined examples of the modern walking horse and then old type throwbacks with their big hammer heads and foundation style confirmation. I have a TWH mare that is foundation bred Merry Go Boy and Midnight Sun. She is sorrel with 4 white legs and a blaze face. She is naturally gaited and to those unfamiliar with old style walkers, has been mistaken for a quarter horse, with all her muscle and chrome..

Her most recent foal was by a spotted saddle horse sire and the filly is a triple registered as a Spotted Saddle Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse and Racking Horse.

Rack on!

Answer 3

I do not believe it is a difference in breed at all, but gait. Many TWHs and Racking horses are double and triple registered. For example, my sister has a Spotted Saddle Horse. She is triple registered as a SSH, TWH and racking horse as she performs flat walk, running walk, and rack in addition to walk and canter, plus of course, she is spotted.

Answer 4

All I can tell you is that the Racking Horse is horse breed derived from the Tennessee Walking Horse, recognized by the USDA in 1978. Now on the size of the horse a racking horse is a light breed horse also. It all depends on breeding. I have 2 TWH and the one I ride is 15.2 hands and around 1200 lbs. My sons TWH is 15.1 hands and around 1000+ lbs she just turned 4 so she is still growing. I do not like the way they are breeding these extremely tall dainty boned Walkers now days. As for what else is in the racking horse I am not sure. I know that they used several different gaited breeds.