Drive past a field populated by horses and ask most people what kind of horses those are and you will likely get the answer of brown, white – four-legged or just – big. The general person doesn’t identify horses by breed. General knowledge about horse breeds and breeding seems to be limited beyond color.
Today, Adventure’s in Horse Raising wants to introduce you to the American Saddlebred, for example, is recognizable for its elegant and long neck, tapered face and sleek body. To the untrained eye, it might look like a thoroughbred, but Saddlebreds are a breed unto themselves.
Once known as the American Horse, the Saddlebred developed by crossing Narragansett Pacers with Thoroughbreds. The American Horse was known for its pleasant temperament and eagerness. The beauty and size of the thoroughbred accompanied by the hardy and naturally gaited abilities of the Pacer made the American Horse ideal for families whether they wanted to hook it up to harness or ride it under saddle.
When the pioneers settled in Kentucky, they took the American horse with them and crossed it with the Morgan, the Standardbred and the Hackney. By mixing these bloodlines with the American Horse and continually reseeding Thoroughbred stock back into the bloodlines they produced a distinctive and impressive horse that was larger, prettier and capable for all purposes.
The American Saddlebred is a fantastic, showy horse. They love to preen and perform like a peacock in the ring. They can jump. They can perform English pleasure. They can perform hunter. They make great trail companions. Their easygoing nature makes them ideally suited as pets and pleasure horses.
For more information on the American Saddlebred, you can visit the American Saddlebred Horse Association website. Founded in 1891, the American Saddlebred Horse Association promotes and protects the breed. With over 75,000 registered Saddlebreds in the U.S. Their diversity of skill is demonstrated in various disciplines including jumping, barrel racing, driving, show jumping, cross country jumping, cutting and reining. The Saddlebred has inherited the learn to do the elegant slow gait and the flashy, fast rack.
