Turnout Hair Is the Centre of This Kit
Tennessee Walking Horses are traditionally presented with abundant hair: a long mane worn on one side and a full, flowing tail, in some show divisions set and kept up between performances. Even a pleasure Walker kept naturally carries more mane and tail than a stock breed, so the kit is built around protecting length. Every tool choice follows from one rule: hair you tear out with a harsh brush or a rushed session takes a season to regrow, while hair you detangle patiently keeps building the picture this breed is known for.
Mane and Tail Detangling Tools
Choose a wide-tooth comb, a flexible-pin detangling brush, and a tail brush with widely spaced bristles. Work the tail from the last few inches upward, holding the dock loosely so your brushing never pulls the whole tail from the root, and pick out shavings and tangles with your fingers before any brush touches it. If your horse's tail is kept braided or wrapped up, add spare wraps, bands, and a tail bag, and learn the change interval your routine requires, because a wrap forgotten too long damages the very hair it protects. Keep conditioner for grooming days in the box and use it on the tail rather than the saddle area, where residue makes tack slip.
Coat Brushes for a Smooth-Gaited Show Horse
A rubber curry, dandy brush, and body brush handle the coat, which is usually finer than a stock horse's and polishes quickly for the ring. Walkers are shown with a sleek, conditioned look, so a finishing mitt or stable rubber earns its place for the last pass over the neck and quarters. Groom the shoulder and hip with extra attention: the running walk and rack are produced by those muscle groups, and your hands over them daily will notice tightness, a rub from a breast collar, or an uneven feel long before the gait itself changes under saddle.
Hooves, Heavy Shoes, and Leg Awareness
Some Walking Horse divisions use built-up shoes and action devices, while pleasure Walkers go in plain shoes or barefoot — either way, the hoof pick is non-negotiable and the daily groom should include looking at every foot. Check that pads or heavy shoes remain tight and level if your horse wears them, feel the pasterns and fetlocks for heat, and watch for rubs or hair loss where any device sits, raising concerns with your farrier or veterinarian rather than simply padding over them. Legs should be clean and dry before anything is fitted, and grit trapped under a device is a grooming failure, not a training one.
Passing the Routine to Someone Else
Walking Horse turnout has more steps than most breeds — tail up or down, wrap changes, specific products — so write the sequence down rather than assuming a covering groomer knows it. Store tail tools together, keep the everyday brushes separate from show-day finishing gear, and note anything currently being treated on a leg. Sharing that written sequence through KinsLe Care Pass gives a trusted sitter or groomer temporary, clear access to your Walker's full grooming routine and key details while you are away, so the tail care and leg checks happen exactly as you left them.