Thunder Horse Stables
Specializing in Friesians and Tennesse Walkers
The Friesian Horse
Romeo de Roza
1997 Approved Friesian Stallion
Since prehistoric times, humans have been drawn to the natural beauty of horses. The Friesian, an ancient warmblood breed, has evolved to exemplify the exterior traits that we love about equine beauty. The modern Friesian's trademarks are its overall distinctive exterior, especially the high-set neck with outstanding crest, the broad chest with lightly accentuated croup, and relatively small head and ears.The Modern Friesian's Beauty 
The Friesian strikes the beholder as a breed apart. Most memorable is their impressive stature, stunningly luxuriant mane and the extra-long tail. During performances these features combine with the feathers and the low set of the tail to emphasize the breed's powerful and elastic gait. The aristocratic appearance is accentuated by the big expressive eyes, with a fine head carried high on an elegant and nicely curved neck. Compared to the body, the head seems rather small and either straight or slightly concave, and the small ears are also typical. They have tough legs with good bone structure, resulting in an enduring and surefooted horse. The Friesian is a powerful horse with high stepping action. Today, the horses are bred to be exclusively black. Darker colors have always been dominating, but up to the turn of the century about twenty percent were chestnut or bay. The black color was advanced by strict selection. The only white spot allowed on the body is the star. The preferred build today is the lighter sporthorse rather than the heavier draft type. The modern Friesian is strong but slightly taller and lighter on its feet than its coach-bred forebears. For this reason, the Friesian has re-emerged throughout Europe as both a champion dressage and driving performance horse. 
Friesian beauty is more than skin-deep. Its easy-going temperament makes him a great companion to riders of all ages. The breed is honest and willing to please. But its versatility is what brings lasting value to the owner. Whether Dad wants to get a quality dressage mount for his daughter, or a dependable cross-country horse for his wife, or to take family and friends for a carriage ride, the Friesian does it all!
The Tennessee Walker
"To Ride One Is to Own One"
Looking for a particular breed of horse which is naturally docile, known for good, calm dispositions, smooth to ride and easy to handle? All your research will point you to the Tennessee Walking Horse. I get lots of calls from people who haven't had a horse in their lives since they were teens, or never had one at all, empty-nesters, people who have more time on their hands due to a change in career, marital status, family status, and/or even health status! Doctors who have any horse knowledge at all consistently refer people with back problems (who don't want to give up their riding) to gaited horses, especially the Tennessee Walking Horses.
Imagine having the sweetest-natured horse, a boost for your confidence, and at the same time, never bouncing in the saddle! No posting, no jarring -- just "smooth sailing".
The Tennessee Walking Horse is renowned for his ability to perform a smooth, 4-beat lateral gait, similar to other breeds of horses, except more quickly timed, and they're BORN that way! Yes, the first steps they take are "gaited steps" -- no training or devices needed. The Tennessee Walking Horse performs three distinct gaits: the flat foot walk, running walk, and canter. The horse glides over the track left by the front foot with the hind foot, which is known as 'overstride'. A true-gaited Tennessee Walker will nod his head in rhythm with the cadence of his feet, and sometimes flop their ears with each nod. Most walking horses are capable of performing a regular slow walk like any other breed, a "flat walk" (the first gait), a "running walk" (the 2nd gait, which can be as fast as 10 mph) and then the canter. Walking horses are also known for their beautiful 'carousel' canters, rising and falling slowing and smoothly. Other gaits that can be performed by some Walkers are the pace (which is undesirable because it's rough), the rack, the foxtrot, and the single-foot.
Did you know?
The elephant is the only other animal which is born performing the "running walk", naturally!
This light breed of pleasure horse was bred to work in the fields during the week, especially to ride the turn rows on the plantations in the south, but be a smooth ride on the weekends for pleasure. A fusion of Thoroughbreds, Canadian Pacers, Saddlebreds, Morgans, American Standardbreds and Narragansett Pacers, this docile servant evolved in the middle Tennessee bluegrass region, and therefore christened the "Tennessee Walking Horse". The Tennessee Walker's size ranges from 14H to 17H, with the average being from 15H to 15.2H. From the 1930's, this gentle breed was known for having rather large, coarse heads, but through the years, especially due to the influence of "Pride of Midnight", a son of the 1945, 1946 World Grand Champion "Midnight Sun". We believe the beautiful head began with him, and most Walkers today are much more refined and pretty than their ancestors. Colors are almost limited to your imagination! Walkers are black, sorrel, chestnut, grey, roan, bay, buckskin, champagne, palomino, cremello and spotted (sabino, tobiano and overo).
Did you know?
"Trigger", ridden by Roy Rogers, was a Tennessee Walking Horse.
The Lone Ranger's "Silver" was also a TWH!
A common ridiculous notion held by many people not familiar with this gentle breed is that they do not run, or if you do run them, you "mess up" their gaits. NOT TRUE! (Watch the old Roy Rogers movies!) We show these versatile horses in English pleasure classes, Western pleasure classes, basic reining, trail obstacle, driving, fences, water glass (a fun class to show off how smooth your horse is), and even barrels and poles. Now, if you're looking for a serious competitive barrel or pole horse, you're not going to buy a Tennessee Walker -- they're bred for pleasure, but that's not to say they cannot compete. They are simply not bred for bursts of speed, but they are capable of running the patterns and running them fast. We have a National Versatility Program (www.twhbea.com for more information) in which we compete in a wide range of these types of classes, showcasing the breed's versatility. (Click here to see our own National Supreme Versatility Champion.) You're not going to buy a Walking Horse for rodeo competition, roping calves, cutting or running steers, but that's not to say that they cannot do it!
You're going to buy a Tennessee Walking Horse to fall in love, to have a furry, loveable equine friend, to become addicted to the glide ride, experiencing the controlled power of a horse in ultimate comfort, and best of all, you'll buy a Tennessee Walking horse for much-needed stress relief therapy!
