What Is a Racking Mare?

Racking Horses are known for their beauty, stamina and calm disposition. They gained their start on the vast plantations of the South, where it was learned the horse could be ridden for hours comfortably because of its smooth and natural gait. Known for its intelligence and versatility, the Racking Horse breed quickly grew, loved by both beginners and veteran horse lovers.

  1. History

    • In 1971, the Racking Horse Breeders' Association of America was formed and recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to their specifications, a Racking horse is a cross between a registered Tennessee Walking Horse and a registered Saddlebred. The association is a breakaway from the Tennessee Walking Horse and formed because of economic and political reasons.

    Function

    • The Racking Horse can, and has been, used in a variety of ways, from the fields of southern plantations to the show ring. Today you can find a Racking Horse in many pleasure classes such as English pleasure, pleasure driving and Western pleasure. She also does well in halter and trail classes, and endurance riding.

    Features

    • Part of their appeal of a Racking Horse it her smooth gait. She is a single-foot horse with origins in the Walking Horse bloodlines. Because of her even gait, she has been promoted as a horse with no action device, no set tail and without a canter. At the same time she is docile in nature and has an easy to ride lateral gait. Thus the term "Rack" Horse.

    Identification

    • Attractive and built with a long sloping neck, smooth legs and fine-boned, a Racking Horse is considered a "light" horse. She averages 15.2 hands high and weighs around 1,000 pounds. Colors vary from black to bay, sorrel and brown, gray and roan, white, brown, dun and palomino. Some are pinto and referred to as "spotted." The Racking horse does not have the set tail as seen in Tennessee Walking Horses.

    Geography

    • The Racking Horse originated in the South and to this day that is where she is most prominent. Businessmen in Alabama formed the Association, and Alabama is the home to the headquarters for the Racking Horse Association. The largest number of Racking Horses in the United States is found in Alabama and Tennessee.