In 1990, Mark Pacovsky bought his wife, Shellie, a Tennessee Walking Horse. This was the beginning of a new adventure, as they quickly fell in love with her and continued to want more horses. The Pacovskys now own 40 Tennessee Walking Horses, including 4 stallions. The Pacovskys operate as Slush Creek Walkers, breeding and raising Tennessee Walking Horses.

A Tennessee Walking Horse is known for its ‘running walk’ and flashy movement. Originally used on plantations and farms in the southern US, Tennessee Walking Horses are now a popular riding horse due to their calm disposition, smooth gaits (walk), and sure-footedness.

Shellie and Mark pride themselves on the fact that they raise their Tennessee Walking Horses to be ‘sound’, or all natural.

In 2010, Slush Creek Walkers received a letter from the south of France, specifically Vieussac. The letter was from a university student, Dora Flament, who was looking for a ranch to do a 12-week internship at. After sending out 250 letters, Flament received word that the Pacovskys would be honored to host her and teach her all they could.

Dora Flament, who was a student at Purpan School of Agriculture in Toulouse, France, at the time, was studying for her Masters Degree in Agricultural Engineering with an emphasis on large animal reproduction. Being a very strict university, part of the curriculum required international studies.

Shellie and Mark welcomed Flament into their home and taught her everything she knows about Tennessee Walking Horses and ranching. Slush Creek Walkers ranch is located near Bainville, MT and covers a vast 1800 acres. Not only do they raise horses, but they also farm and cattle ranch as well.

Although Flament was already interested in large animals, when she met the Slush Creek Walkers' Tennessee Walking Horses she fell in love. Flament was required to write an extensive paper on her internship experiences, which she wrote on Tennessee Walking Horses. Her love of the Tennessee Walking Horses was quickly turned into a dream, a dream to own and breed Tennessee Walking Horses in her homeland of France.

Following her time with Slush Creek Walkers, Flament returned back to France with a new love and dream. In 2012, Flament once again contacted Slush Creek Walkers. This time she was ready to purchase a Tennessee Walking Horse. She decided on a certain mare, and before leaving for France ensured she was carrying a foal.

April 7th, 2013 the first Tennessee Walking Horse foal was born in France. Flament estimates there are only about 15 Tennessee Walking Horses in her country.

Shellie Pacovsky of Slush Creek Walkers stated that “it was a great experience.” So much so, that the following year they once again hosted a student from the same university.

Shellie stated that she and Flament keep in touch regularly and Flament’s dream is still to breed Tennessee Walking Horses.

She graduated from Purpan in May and is continuing her studies in Switzerland until December. Through the hospitality of the Pacovskys, they created a new love and dream for Flament.