9 Fun Facts About Tennessee Horses
In partnership with: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Horses are an important part of Tennessee agriculture. Check out these fun facts about the state’s equine industry.
- 206,000 horses live in Tennessee.
- 3.2 million farm acres are devoted to horses in Tennessee.
- Horses have their hooves trimmed periodically by a farrier, a person who shoes horses. This process does not hurt and is similar to getting a human’s nails trimmed.
- The official horse of Tennessee is the Tennessee Walking Horse, known for its smooth four-beat gait called the running walk. The breed was first developed in Tennessee and is the first breed to bear a state’s name.
- Bedford County has the most horses of any Tennessee county.
- There are more than 200 horse breeds.
- A horse can nap or fully sleep while standing by locking a hind leg and periodically switching the supportive leg.
- A female is called a mare, an intact male is called a stallion and a castrated male is called a gelding.
- A horse’s height is measured by hands. One hand is equal to 4 inches.
See more: Germantown Charity Horse Show Features Horsemanship and Hospitality