The American Saddlebred is the epitome of a show horse. Distinctive for its proud, upright head carriage and high-stepping knee action, the American Saddlebred is the ideal horse for saddle seat classes. Saddlebred shows typically feature saddle seat equitation for juniors and adult amateurs; country pleasure and show pleasure under saddle and in harness where horses are judged on their manners in addition to their show-ring presence; and exciting park, three-gaited, five-gaited, and fine harness classes that display the breed’s animation and athleticism.
While not all Saddlebreds are gaited, some are genetically capable of performing two unique four-beat gaits in addition to the walk, trot, and canter. The slow gait is a highly collected movement executed in which each of the four feet strikes the ground separately. The rack shares a footfall pattern with the slow gait, but the movement is performed at greater speed, with more animation and brilliance, and is thrilling to experience for riders and spectators.
While the animated movement and alert natural expression of the American Saddlebred may make it appear to be a hot breed, their people-oriented personalities and trainability make them beloved lesson horses and pleasure mounts for riders of all ages and experience levels. In recent decades, the breed’s show repertoire has been expanded to showcase western and hunter pleasure, and Saddlebred athleticism translates to success in other disciplines including dressage, eventing, combined driving, endurance, and ranch horse classes.
The Saddlebred breed was developed in the United States and traces its origins to Kentucky in the 1800s where it was developed and used on farms and as a cavalry mount. As the popularity of horse shows grew in the late 19th century, the Saddlebred transitioned with the times, and the breed’s official registry, now called the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association, was established in 1891.
On average, Saddlebreds stand between 15 and 16 hands. While chestnut and bay are the most common colors, all coat colors are accepted in the breed registry, including pinto.