The gaits of the Tennessee Walking Horse are the flat walk, the running walk and the "rocking chair" canter. It is with good training, that the horse is able to perform these natural, inherited gaits to perfection. Along with the ability to perform these gaits, the Walker inherits the "ability" to perform a number of other gaits. Walking Horses can trot, pace, fox-trot, rack and amble. When form is sacrificed for speed, one of the above mentioned gaits will usually result.

This article concerns itself with discussions of the two and four beat variations of the TWH's gait.

The trot, of course, is a 2-beat diagonal gait in which the diagonal legs hit the ground at the same time. It is the usual intermediate gait of non-gaited horses. The pace is a true lateral gait, with the legs on the same side moving together. "Pacy" Walkers seem to be preferred for the built-up or "big lick" division. When the pads and weight are added to the front feet, the "pacy" horse will square up and walk easier than the "trotty" horse or the one which has a natural walk as its preferred way of going. Both of these gaits are rough and uncomfortable for the rider to sit. The trot gives the rider a bouncy up and down motion. In order to ride it comfortably the rider must post. The pace provides a side to side swing which is in no way pleasant to ride.

See Curing the Pace