Weekly Win TWH Mare (NO Big Lick)

In the 90’s, DaBar resins was producing a small line of affordable SM resins for the hobby and budding interest grew.  Lesli Kathman sculpted Southern Belle, this sweet little TWH mare which was dubbed for her accent.  Another long time artist Chris Nandell (now Flint) gave her a buttery smooth palomino coat, and she reminded me of a dancer with her rhythmic motion, and so she became my successful little Miss Merengue, a consistent success in live showing.  Nearly “vintage” as far as artist resins go, this merry little gal still comes out once in awhile and can hold her own, but I look forward to her career once that becomes a regular category in vintage showing.

(I can see her pretty head nodding!)

Merengue like the dance, Meringue like the lemon pie...even when she came up misspelled in show results, it fit this sassy gal rather well.  She is my homage to the lovely TWH breed.

I don’t show tons of gaited models, and Indy/Mindy arrived later.  Awareness of Big Lick in the Tennessee Walking Horse and gaited show horse industry has (happily) prevailed and found its way into modeldom.  We’d be hard-pressed to find running walk resins in today’s market!

Racking Saddlebreds continue, and I may have sold my TWH Midnight Sun models

long ago, but this piece remains.  Model hobbyists have long been discussing the differences in humane practices with respect to flat shod Walkers not utilizing action devices, shoeing and pads, soring and artificial methods that achieve everything from tailset to extreme front reach.

Just as there are sweet Pitbull dogs and German Shepherds that aren’t overangulated, it is important to remember the idea of “punish the deed, not the breed” - celebrate wonderful animals and all they have to offer.  I have met some beautiful natural Tennessee Walkers and known them to be phenomenal horses.  All this said, my little gal has no shoes on and hasn’t been in performance, alas, our hobby should do its level best to serve in public education as well as celebration of all equines!