News Releases

In equestrian circles, the easy gait of the Tennessee Walking Horse is world famous. Yet, scientists don't understand exactly how the horses walk their walk.

That may be about to change.

Researchers with the University of Tennessee Department of Animal Science are initiating a study of the natural biomechanics of the Tennessee Walking Horse. This first ever, three-dimensional approach will analyze the famous "running walk" of the Tennessee Walking Horse in relation to the animal's conformation.

The product of selective breeding, Tennessee Walking Horses perform a four-beat gait as opposed to a two-beat diagonal gait or trot. Because the horse's back legs slide underneath the animal, the rider experiences a gliding sensation. The easy walk is popular with pleasure riders.

The 3-D analysis of the running walk will utilize high-speed recording equipment and newly developed computer software designed specifically for the horse.

Volunteer horses are needed to assist with this study. Tennessee Walking Horse owners or trainers can ride their own horses to participate. Horses will be ridden on a dirt footing in the enclosed Brehm Animal Science Arena on the UT agricultural campus in Knoxville. The arena is 160 feet long by 60 feet wide.

Participating horses will be fitted with non-invasive, small round markers affixed to key joint and skeletal points. Horses will be recorded standing still and as they pass a series of high-speed video cameras.

Computer software will detail each horse's movements and mathematically describe the horse's motion in relation to its conformation.

All data and recorded footage for each horse will remain strictly confidential between the owner/trainer and the researchers.

Each owner or trainer that participates will be given a copy of the gait and conformation analysis of their horse(s), along with a comparison to the average of all participating horses.

This project is being conducted by Dr. Cheryl Kojima and Mr. Paul Roberson of the UT Department of Animal Science, with collaboration from Dr. Steve Adair, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Songning Zhang, UT Department of Exercise, Sport and Leisure Studies.

Volunteers are asked to ride their horses beginning July 18 through August 5, 2005. Interested individuals can contact Kojima or Roberson at 865-974-5597 or 865-974-3157 to schedule a date.

The study is part of a larger Tennessee Walking Horse research/extension initiative of the UT Department of Animal Science. Currently, six Tennessee Walking Horse breeding farms are cooperating in another phase of this program.

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Contact:
Dr. Cheryl Kojima, (865) 974-5597
Paul Roberson, (865) 974-3157