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American Saddlebred
History
| In the 1600s gaited Galloway and Hobbie horses were shipped from the British Isles to North America. These horses became the ancestors of the Narragansett Pacer, a legendary breed that is now considered lost. However, before the breed became extinct, Narragansetts were bred to Thoroughbreds, which the colonists had started importing from England in the early 1700s. By the end of that century, the 'American horse' had become a recognised type, with the size and the beauty of a Thoroughbred and the smooth gaits of its gaited ancestors. Over the next decades not only Thoroughbreds, but also other breeds like Morgan Horses, Arabians and Standardbreds were used to refine the breed. By the time the American Saddlebred Horse Association, the first horse breed association in the US, was founded in 1891, the American Saddlebred was one of the most popular riding horses on the North American continent. |  Wildmoor Pilgrim Son (courtesy Narrawin Stud) |
Characteristics
 Narrawin King of Hearts (courtesy Narrawin Stud) |
American
Saddlebreds range in size from 15 to 17 hands (approximately 150 to 170
cm) and can come in any colour, although chestnut, bay and black are
most common. Their most outstanding characteristics are their beauty
and presence: a typical Saddlebred is a horse that you just can't take
your eyes off. The Saddlebred is very elegant, with a fine head,
expressive eyes, long, high set neck, good overall proportions and a
silky mane and tail. In motion Saddlebreds show incredible knee and
hock action. They are said to be alert, highly intelligent, very people
oriented and therefore easy to train. American Saddlebreds are also known for their versatility: in the old days the same horse was used for pulling the plow during the week, pulling the carriage to church on Sunday and being ridden for farm work or in competitions. Today, Saddlebreds and Saddlebred crosses are used mainly in showing, dressage, eventing and showjumping. |
Gaits
The
majority of Saddlebreds are naturally three gaited, although some breed
associations claim that these horses can be trained to do the smooth
saddle gaits. Five gaited bloodlines are rare and highly priced. In
addition to walk, trot and canter, the five gaited members of this
breed also show slow gait and rack.
Slow Gait: The slow gait is a highly collected four-beat gait, executed slowly but with distinct precision and full of style. The hind legs are placed well underneath the body and the forehand is proudly elevated. The horse shows high knee and hock action and tons of impulsion from the hind quarters. Rack: The rack is an even four-beat executed at high speed, but without loosing the high leg action and precision. What looks absolutely spectacular in the show ring is also said to be great fun on the trail - like flying through the woods! |
 Wildmoor Pilgrim Son in Slow Gait (courtesy Narrawin Stud) |
Problems
Saddlebreds are stunningly beautiful and
fascinating, but they are rather big (remember, I'm someone who feels
most at home on an Icelandic!) and often quite a handful
temperament-wise. However, if you love the bold and beautiful, the
Saddler's for
you!
I don't quite like the fact that both three gaited and five gaited lines exist in the breed. Unless you find a breeder that has been breeding specifically for gait, there's always a chance that the foal you've been waiting for for 340 endless days turns out to be three gaited.
Due to their high head carriage and the nature of their gaits, Saddlebreds have a tendency to go ventroflexed (or 'upside down') which, in the long run, can lead to back problems. However, these problems can easily be prevented with an appropriate training schedule and intervals of stretching and relaxation when doing gait work.
I don't quite like the fact that both three gaited and five gaited lines exist in the breed. Unless you find a breeder that has been breeding specifically for gait, there's always a chance that the foal you've been waiting for for 340 endless days turns out to be three gaited.
Due to their high head carriage and the nature of their gaits, Saddlebreds have a tendency to go ventroflexed (or 'upside down') which, in the long run, can lead to back problems. However, these problems can easily be prevented with an appropriate training schedule and intervals of stretching and relaxation when doing gait work.
Breeders
in Oz
Narrawin
Stud: http://www.users.bigpond.com/narrawin/
There are
quite a few American Saddlebred breeders in Australia, but to my best
knowledge they don't specifically breed for gait, but rather for sport
and show purposes. If I'm wrong let me know!
Links
American
Saddlebred Horse Association of Australia:
http://www.saddlebredaustralia.org.au/
National American Saddlebred Horse Society of Australia: http://au.geocities.com/nashs01/
American Saddlebred Horse Association, Inc. (USA): http://www.asha.net/
American-Saddlebred.com: http://www.american-saddlebred.com/ - videos of slow gait and rack
National American Saddlebred Horse Society of Australia: http://au.geocities.com/nashs01/
American Saddlebred Horse Association, Inc. (USA): http://www.asha.net/
American-Saddlebred.com: http://www.american-saddlebred.com/ - videos of slow gait and rack