I'm in the market for a new horse. I have no preference of gelding over a mare, but would like a horse 6 or older. I need a good, solid, well mannered mountain horse that will use its head and go where its pointed. As the horse will be for both riding and packing, a tall horse won't do. It's a long way to climb up and near impossible to hitch an elk quarter to or tie a diamond.

Having had one I aasure you that a Tn Walking Horse is the last horse you should choose. If I were in your position I would choose a mule, and I am serious.

I've owned and used walking horses in the mountains for the past 30 years and love 'em. I have also owned and used two mules.

Go to Dream Horse.com and you can put in what you are looking for and probably will see lots of critters for sale

Billings livestock auction also has horse sales from time to time and should have what you are looking for.

let's face it. Finding the right one of any kind, can be overwhelming. Disposition/soundness/size/conformation/price...all rolled into one.
I met a Wy outfitter a while back. He had several nice TW (B&W), that he bought from a gal in Tn. I checked her website out, but currently don't recall it. But he was very happy with the horses & they looked good.

Thanks twilli, I'll go to Dream Horse.

Nobody2, do you recall the name of the outfitter?

I can't speak for the TWH, But I have had excellent results from the Foxtrotters that I own. I have two mares that are both in the 14.3H size that have been great for packing or just babysitting kids or new riders. My gelding is 16H and has traveled trails all over Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.

I guess what I'm suggesting, is that there is nothing wrong with a good gaited horse. I prefer the Foxtrotters because they are a little more diagonal than the TWH. But so much depends on the individual horse.

There are numerous breeders of Foxtrotters in Wyoming, Utah and Idaho. You might want to at least consider them as an option if you want a gaited horse. Certain blood lines of Foxtrotters also tend to be smaller ( in the 14 h range)

Sorry, I don't recall the outfitter

quote:

Dream Horse.com

Like all the rest of the sites, the horses/mules seem mostly to be young squirrel heads or broken down pasture ornaments.

Why would anyone sell a good one?

Painted Horse, a Fox Trotter would work just fine. I've owned one and she was a dandy.

Dan Aadland out of Absorkee, MT has gaited horse and mules. Let me see what he has available. He also has a web site just punch his name in and gaited horses and it should pull up. If not let me know and I can get the site URL for you.

I bought a 3 year old from Dan many moons ago. She died just last winter. She was a good horse. Thanks for the reminder, I had forgoten his name.

Might want to check out a Rocky Mountain or a Kentucky Mountain Saddle horse. I've got a KMSH that's built more like a quarter pounder than a TWH. He's very good with his feet, up or down. I just give him his head and he tip-toes up or down. He's a very sensible horse and I've heard nothing but good things about the Rockies, too.

MKane160

Thanks for mentioning my name. We still raise TWhorses and a few gaited mules from the mares we've raised and selected over thirty years. Most of our stock goes to hunters and packers, and I still do a few of my "Beyond the Round Pen" clinics on training the backcountry horse. For us, Tennessee Walking Horses, particularly from the line we've developed, are unbeatable in the mountains. (Okay, I'll quit bragging.)--Dan Aadland