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Glite Dictionary
Tennessee walking horse

Tennessee walking horse

7.9
A breed of horse with a smooth, easy walk used for riding and shows
  • noun
  • /ˈtɛnəˌsi ˈwɔkɪŋ hɔrs/
  • US
translation icon : caballo de Tennessee

Examples

  • Her mother had owned a Tennessee walking horse, a flashy bay named Jimbo whose black mane and tail she'd braided with red ribbons before she rode him in shows.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • At the county fair, we watched a beautiful display of Tennessee walking horses showcasing their smooth gaits.

  • The Tennessee walking horse is known for its calm temperament, making it a great choice for beginner riders.

  • My friend has a Tennessee walking horse that wins awards for its elegance in competitions and parades.

Synonyms

riding horse
vsTennessee walking horse
1 2.3

A horse people keep mainly for others to ride in lessons or shows

is narrower, focusing on a breed with a special smooth running walk and stamina
Tennessee Walker
vsTennessee walking horse
6.5

A type of horse with a smooth, fast walk that can travel long distances for riding and shows

is the common alternative name used for the same breed in riding and show
walking horse
vsTennessee walking horse
  • Specialized
5.4

A horse trained to move fast and smoothly for long rides

focuses on a breed used for riding and shows, not only trained performance
plantation walking horse
vsTennessee walking horse
  • US
9.5

A horse bred for a smooth, fast running walk that is comfortable for long rides

is the official breed term used broadly for riding and show

Surface Forms

Tennessee walking horse singular
Tennessee walking horses plural

Morphology

Tennessee + walking + horse

The phrase is largely compositional: a B1 learner who knows 'Tennessee', 'walking', and 'horse' will infer it denotes a kind of horse associated with Tennessee and characterized by a particular way of walking. However, the specific breed sense (the recognised Tennessee Walking Horse with a smooth 'running walk', stamina, and show usage) is specialised knowledge not fully derivable from the parts, so the expression is only partly predictable.

Etymology

The name Tennessee walking horse comes from horses in Tennessee that developed a special smooth 'running walk' people could ride for many miles without getting tired. People bred horses for comfort and stamina, so today the name means a horse with a gentle, steady walking style and strong endurance.