American Saddlebred Horse

Originally known as the Kentucky Saddler, it was the result of selective breeding of the Canadian and Narragansett Pacers, the Morgan Horse, and the Thouroughbred. It was an elegant horse, and looked wonderful pulling a carraige to church on Sundays.

Although fine as a harness horse, the modern Saddlebred is the premiere showring horse, exhibited under saddle. As a five-gaited horse, it is shown with a full mane and tail.

photo by Elwyn Hartley Edwards

In addition to the usual walk, trot, and cantor, the Saddlebred performs the slow gait, a prancing four-beat motion with a deliberate pause before each foot-fall, and the "rack", a full-speed flashy four-beat gait.

The American Saddlebred stands at 16 hands, and in addition to the show ring, can cut cattle, jump well, and is a pleasure to trail ride. It is an excellent competitor in dressage.

This is an intelligent horse with a good dispostion, has good stamina, well balanced, with good jumping ability -
a real pleasureable horse to own.