Hi Dave,
 DB> I took Walker on a 4 hr trail ride a couple weekends ago. The only
 DB> problem I seem to have with him is he likes to walk real fast which
 DB> isn't really a problem unless I have a slow horse in front of me.
 DB> When I was in front, Netty (The other horse) had to trot most of
 DB> the time to keep up.
Sounds like my personal favorite TWH here. Goldmine (yup, a Palomino, Bob) 
has a real fast "Flat Walk", and an unbelievable "Running Walk". Both very 
nice and smooth, but the Flat Walk is too fast for show horse purposes. He 
does have a weak front leg so he was never taught a proper Cantor. He is 
willing to go anywhere and try to please whoever is riding him, a great trail 
horse (except for speed if you are riding with anyone). 
Flash on the other hand is anything but what his name implies. A good show 
horse in his day (a couple minor blues) he has good movement and a huge 
overstride, but never much of one to care to do any "field" riding. He would 
be happy just going arround in circles in an arena.
Walkers in general make great trail horses if you want to travel any distance 
and still be able to sit comfortable the next day. I would rather ride 20 
miles on a TWH than one mile on a Arab (or 1/2 Arab). My body is too old for 
all that "bounce". Bloodlines really do make a difference in the horse as a 
whole, but I would rather ride our "worst" TWH than most any other breed. 
About the only other breed I would like to try would maybe be one of the 
Pasos.
   Gerry
---
---------------