Two groups of seniors visited Judith Burgess and Larry Lowman’s Bridlewood Farm recently for a first-hand look at running a Tennessee Walking Horse breeding operation.

Sixty seniors from Hillsboro Church of Christ and a group of forty from Sue Fix’s Fun Tours toured the 250 acre facility where they learned the history of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed by watching a short film and then met Bridlewood’s World Champion stallion line up.

The guests were also treated to a riding demonstration as Bridlewood’s public relations director Tanya Hopper explained the gaits of the walking horse.

Next the guests moved on to the breeding barn, where Hopper explained the farm’s breeding program, from checking mares to determine if they are ready to breed, to semen collection and preparation.

Each segment of the tour ended with a question and answer session. Bridlewood Farm is the only farm to give organized tours, the objective of which is to educate people not only on running a breeding operation, but the Tennessee Walking Horse in general. Bridlewood’s tours expose thousands to the breed yearly.