The hoofs of Tennessee Walkers have an extremely shallow angle. Most horses of this breed are “barefoot”, i.e. they do not wear horseshoes. Shoes would only get in the way of walking.\n\nTennessee Walkers are famous for their extremely soft, smooth gaits.\nTennessee Walkers are famous for their gaits, which are extremely pleasant for riders: the “walk”, the “running walk” and the “canter”. Even the foals instinctively know these gaits and love to show them off when they frolic around and play on the paddock. All Tennessee Walkers are descended from a black foal named Black Allen, born in 1886. Black Allen didn’t like to trot, but much preferred fast ambling gaits (“walk” and “running walk”). The breeders quickly learned the value of these new gaits.