RACKING HORSE
Courtesy of the RHBAA
Since the time America began, the
Racking Horse has been legendary for its beauty, stamina and calm disposition,
this noble animal's popularity grew strong on the great southern plantations
before the Civil War. It was learned that the horse could be ridden
comfortably for hours because of its smooth, natural gait.
The Racking Horse is attractive and gracefully built with a long sloping
neck, full flanks, well boned, smooth legs, and finely textured hair. The
Racking Horse is considered a "light" horse in comparison with other breeds,
averaging 15.2 hands high (a "hand" is considered to be four inches) and
weighing 1,000 pounds. Colors may be black, bay, sorrel, chestnut, brown, gray,
yellow, cremello, buckskin, dun, palomino, roan, champagne, and even spotted.
The "rack" of the Racking
Horse is a bi-lateral four-beat gait which is neither a pace nor a trot. It is
often called a "single-foot" because only one foot strikes the ground at a
time. The Racking Horse comes by this gait as naturally as walking or striking
a bold trot comes to other breeds. He is not to be confused with other breeds,
with which the "rack" is an artificially achieved gait resulting from special
training. Though he may be shown under saddle, in hand or in harness, and may be
flat shod or shown with pads, he still performs the smooth, collected gait which
made him famous as a pleasure mount.
Beginning riders have found the
Racking Horse to be the answer to their prayers, not only for his extremely
comfortable ride, but also because of his unusual friendliness to humans.
Beginners and veterans alike can appreciate the opportunities generated by this
intelligent, family oriented steed.
In 1975, an act of
legislature declared the Racking Horse to be Alabama's State horse. This
notoriety, as well as the comfortable ride and beautiful stride makes the
Racking Horse a favorite both in the show ring and on the trail.
