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The American
Saddlebred – "America’s Most Versatile Horse"
 The
American Saddlebred lineage began humbly in the 1600’s
when early British colonists brought Hobby Horses from
Ireland and Galloways from Scotland to North America. It
is from the careful breeding of horse owners in what
would become Rhode Island and Virginia that combined the
best of both these breeds to develop the Narragansett
Pacer, a comfortable riding horse named after Rhode
Island’s Narragansett Bay.
In the early 1700’s, Thoroughbreds were imported to the
colonies and breeders began using Thoroughbreds to add
height and refinement to their already easy gaited,
popular riding horses. These horses became known as the
American Horse and were recognized as a definite type,
documented in a letter written to the Continental
Congress in 1776 from an American diplomat in France who
wished to obtain one as a gift for Marie Antoinette.
These American Horses were prized for their pleasant
temperament, eagerness, strength and stamina and were
used not only as riding horses but also for farm work,
pulling the carriage on Sundays and even for match
races.
 The
American Horse played a major role in the Revolutionary
War as well as the War of 1812, carrying the American
cavalry to victory. Once the war had ended, breeders in
Kentucky had made it a priority to produce the best
Saddle Horses they could and by the time the Civil War
began, the American Horse had become two distinct
types/breeds, the smaller, compact horses from the North
(the Morgans) and the larger “more for riding” horses,
the Kentucky Saddlers. The Kentucky Saddler would
eventually become the American Saddlebred in Kentucky,
the Tennessee Walking Horse in Tennessee and the
Missouri Fox Trotter in Missouri. Each area specialized
in developing a particular gaiting action unique to
their breed.
The period before and during the war saw horses as more
than mere pastime. Society absolutely depended on horses
for industry as well as transportation. During the war,
horses were equally as important as soldiers. They
carried brave fighting men, Generals, artillery,
supplies and towed carriages and ambulances. These
horses were and are honoured for their bravery and
dedication and many of these horses were brave American
Saddle Horses. It is estimated that during the Civil War
1.5 million horses bravely lost their lives.
 The
most famous American Saddle Horse of the Civil War was
General Robert E. Lee’s Traveller, a gray, sixteen-hand
American Saddle Horse gelding with black points. He was
strong, quick and exceptional in endurance. His name
came from his ability to easily travel great distances.
When General Lee died in 1870, Traveller escorted
General Lee’s body during his funeral parade with
reversed boots in his stirrups. Other great Generals
rode American Saddle Horses; Grant on Cincinnati,
Sherman on Lexington and Stonewall Jackson’s horse,
Little Sorrel.
After Lee’s surrender, General Grant recognizing the
importance of the horses, allowed the Confederate
veterans to keep the horses they had ridden during the
war. American Saddlebred Horses went to all parts of the
nation with returning soldiers and the Saddlebred
industry bounced back quickly as the demand for these
elegant and versatile riding horses increased.
 The
American Saddlebred has two foundation sires which set
the breed on its course of excellence. The first was a
stallion named Gaines’ Denmark, foaled in 1851 out of a
natural-gaited mare by the thoroughbred stallion,
Denmark. The Denmark family of American Saddlebreds
attribute more than 60 percent of the registries in the
first three volumes of the breed association. The second
foundation sire of the breed was Harrison Chief, foaled
in 1872 out of the harness mare, Lute Boyd and by the
harness stallion, Clark Chief. Though Harrison Chief
came from harness stock, he gained acceptance as a
founding sire due to his propensity for siring
five-gaited show horses. The Denmark family were
eventually crossed in 1880 to the Chief family, which
traces to the famous Thoroughbred, Messenger, who became
the foundation Sire of the Standardbred breed.
Originally known as the National Saddle Horse Breeders
Association, The American Saddlebred Horse Association
was established in 1891 in Louisville, Kentucky. It is
one of Kentucky’s oldest continuous institutions and was
the first horse breed association in the United States.
In 1980 the corporate structure of the association was
changed to an open membership and the name was changed
to the American Saddle Horse Association. In 1985 the
Association moved to the American Saddle Horse Museum
building at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, being
the first breed association to locate at the park.
 The
Association allows all colours; however the predominant
colours are chestnut, black, bay, grey and palomino. Any
white markings are allowed and common. Spotted
Saddlebreds are becoming more prevalent.
 Saddlebreds
stand between 15 and 17 hands high at maturity and weigh
between 1200 lbs and 1500 lbs. Saddlebreds have an
attractive head with small, neatly curved ears set on a
long neck with considerable arch giving the horse a
beautifully high neck carriage. The breed is fairly
short coupled with a round barrel, long, graceful legs
and a naturally high set tail presenting a beautiful
overall picture.
Some show horses have their tails “set” to enhance the
way the tail is held. This procedure involves slightly
nicking the tendon which will extend the length of the
tendon. The tail is then placed in a tail harness which
features a metal crupper which holds the tail elevated
slightly higher than the back. The tendon then heals in
this upright position. To retain the high-set
appearance, these horses must wear the tail set most of
the time they are not being ridden. Many breeders today
forego this labour-intensive process.
 The
Saddlebred is an elegant and flashy mover with plenty of
animation. Even foals and young horses often display the
breeds elevated hock and knee action at the trot.
Saddlebreds, beyond the walk, trot and canter, are
famous for their two lateral single-footed gaits: the
stepping pace and the rack. These two additional
impressive and smooth gaits come quite easily to the
Saddlebred; however they must be properly schooled to
perfect them. During these two additional gaits, each
foot hits the ground separately making them true
four-beat gaits. The stepping pace (also called the slow
gait) is the slower and smoother of the two, while the
rack is executed at speed and may be even faster than a
trot. For more information on these gaits
click here.
Distinguishable traits are their high intelligence and
their alert and curious natures. Saddlebreds have a lot
of personality which make them highly people oriented.
They are easy to train and a joy to ride.
 Saddlebreds
shown saddleseat in a flat Lane Fox saddle which
originated from the old English Park saddle, are shown
in both three-gaited and five-gaited classes. There are
open performance classes for both three and five-gaited
horses and fine harness horses. There are also in-hand
classes for weanlings, yearlings and 2-year olds in
which horses are shown only at the walk and trot. Among
the most popular Saddlebred classes are the pleasure
classes where riders of all ages compete under saddle
and in harness, three-gaited and five-gaited. Western
pleasure classes have recently gained popularity at
Saddlebred shows. Presently, stallions are not permitted
to compete in pleasure divisions, but this may change in
the future.
 Performance
horses in saddleseat and fine harness classes may be
shod with slightly built up pads. Saddlebreds are shod
for balance and to enhance the flashy action and the
graceful elevation of the hocks and knees at the various
gaits.
Today there are approximately 80,000 registered
Saddlebreds worldwide. American Saddlebreds are found in
all 50 states, Canada, England, Germany, Holland,
Scandinavia, Italy, Greece, Australia, Japan and many
other countries. The Saddlebred is one of the most
popular non-racing breeds in South Africa, which began
importing them after World War 1. In 1997 a five-gaited
stallion bred in South Africa won the World’s Grand
Championships at the Kentucky State Fair.
One of the most famous Saddlebreds of the show ring was
Wing Commander who enjoyed an unprecedented winning
streak as the Grand Champion Five-Gaited Stake horse for
each consecutive year from 1948 to 1953. Wing Commander
was an incredibly beautiful chestnut stallion who sired
many successful sires and dams.
  The
American Saddlebred excels as a show horse, both under
saddle and in harness, as well as an excellent choice
for dressage, trail riding, endurance and jumping.
In an article published in American Saddlebred Magazine,
Heike Bean, a world class combined driving competitor,
author of "Carriage Driving, a Logical Approach Through
Dressage", and licensed "R" judge, stated, "they are
like beautiful warmbloods". Heike has admired the
Saddlebred since moving to the US from Germany, and has
been impressed with their impeccable temperaments,
trainability, and endurance, as well as their pure,
brilliant and correct gaits. Her Saddlebred mare,
Artistic Reflection, has consistently been awarded best
conditioned awards throughout her career as a combined
driving horse. In 1994, this mare won the advanced
combined driving singles competition in the USET
Festival of Champions held in Gladstone, New Jersey.
 Heike
Bean is not the only person who has discovered the
versatility and suitability of the Saddlebred for all
variety of uses. Dr. Deb Bennett, PhD., recently
analyzed the American Saddlebred in her Applied
Conformation series (Equus 225), and states:
 "For
more than 100 years, American Saddlebreds have been
produced for the purpose of carrying a riders weight
comfortably and efficiently…I have never seen any
Saddlebred horse - even a part bred - who did not
readily perform the passage … Most have incredibly
comfortable and coordinated canters as well … I think
they are the most neglected of all breeds suitable for
dressage."
A horse that has, and can, successfully compete in any
equine discipline, perform any job required and can come
in any colour desired…what more could one ask for in a
horse. A horse that exudes confidence is easily trained,
attentive, alert, sensible and willing. A horse that
doesn’t just look like he is enjoying himself in the
ring, but actually loves being the center of attention
and showing off his ability…this IS the American
Saddlebred, yesterday, today and always.
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