The American Saddlebred is a horse breed that was developed in the United States.
They are known for their beauty and elegance, and are used both in harness and under saddle.
If you’re interested in learning more about this breed, read on!
American Saddlebred Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the American Saddlebred horse:
| Height (size) | 15.0 – 17.0 hands high |
| Colors | Any color is acceptable, but most are chestnut, bay, brown and black, and some are gray, roan, palomino and pinto. |
| Country of Origin | United States of America |
| Common Uses | In the show ring American Saddlebreds often compete in five primary divisions: Five-Gaited, Three-Gaited, Fine Harness, Park and Pleasure. However, they can be seen in competition in several other disciplines such as competitive trail riding, endurance riding, dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving. |
American Saddlebred Horse Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
The American Saddlebred has been historically referred to as the “Horse America Made”.
During the American Civil War, Saddlebreds were frequently used by the military, and they were well-known for their bravery and endurance.
The American Saddlebred evolved into its modern variety in Kentucky, in fact, it was once called the “Kentucky Saddler,” and it was used widely as an officer’s mount during the American Civil War.
A breed registry in the United States was established in 1891.
The popularity of the breed grew steadily in the United States during the twentieth century, and exports to South Africa and the United Kingdom soon followed.
Over 250,000 American Saddlebreds have been registered since the US registry was established, and they can now be found around the world in separate breed registries in Great Britain, Australia, Europe and southern Africa.
The Galloway and Hobby horses of the British Isles, which are frequently referred to as palfreys, are the ancestors of the American Saddlebred.
These horses had ambling gaits and were imported to the United States by early settlers.
These animals were further developed in the United States, where they eventually gave rise to a breed that is no longer in existence and was known as the Narragansett Pacer.
This breed was used for riding and driving, and it was famous for its ambling and pacing gaits.
Along with massive exports, the introduction of Thoroughbreds to the Americas by colonists in 1706 led to the crossing of that breed with the Narragansett Pacer, which ultimately resulted in the extinction of the Narragansett altogether as a breed.
Canadian Pacers were introduced instead to protect significant bloodlines.
Thoroughbred-sized horses with Pacer-style ambling gaits and endurance had emerged by 1776.
It was a new form of riding horse that incorporated the best of both breeds.
The American Horse was the name given to this kind of horse.
In a letter sent to the Continental Congress in 1776, an American envoy requested that one be sent to France as a gift for Marie Antoinette.
In the 19th century, the Morgan, the Standardbred, and the Hackney were some of the other breeds that contributed to the creation of the American Saddlebred.
The Canadian Pacer had an especially big influence.
The breed, which originated in France, also influenced the creation of the Standardbred and Tennessee Walking Horse.
The American Horse was further improved in Kentucky by the introduction of more Thoroughbred blood, which resulted in a taller, better-looking horse that came to be known as the Kentucky Saddler.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
“Saddlebred”
Temperament/Personality
Lively but gentle disposition.
Physical Characteristics
They have a well shaped head with a straight profile.
The neck is long, slim and arched, and withers are well-defined.
They have sloping shoulders, correct leg conformation, and strong level backs with well-sprung ribs.
The croup is long and almost level with a high-carried tail.
The Saddlebred is known as the “peacock of the horse world”.
They are classified as a gaited breed due to the fact that some Saddlebreds are bred and trained to perform four-beat ambling gaits.
These gaits include the “slow gait,” which historically was one of three possible ambling patterns, and the rack, which is a faster gait.
The modern five-gaited Saddlebred typically performs a stepping-pace.
In the show ring they are shown saddle seat in both three-gaited and five-gaited classes.
The stepping pace is a four-beat gait in which the lateral pairs of legs leave the ground simultaneously but touch the ground at separate times, the back foot connecting slightly before the forefoot.
The gait should be done with accuracy and restraint in the show ring.
The rack is likewise a four-beat pace, but the intervals between each footfall.
In the show ring, the gait is executed with speed and action, giving the impression that the animal is not constrained in any way.
Colors
Any color is acceptable, but most are chestnut, bay, brown and black, and some are gray, roan, palomino and pinto.
Height (size)
15.0 – 17.0 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
1,000 – 1,200 pounds (450 and 540 kg)
Blood Type
Warm
Common Uses
In the show ring American Saddlebreds often compete in five primary divisions: Five-Gaited, Three-Gaited, Fine Harness, Park and Pleasure.
However, they can be seen in competition in several other disciplines such as competitive trail riding, endurance riding, dressage, eventing, show jumping, and combined driving.
Health
Lordosis, also known as swayback, low back, or soft back, has been proven to have a genetic basis and a recessive mode of inheritance in Saddlebreds.
Popular Traits
Their high-stepping action.
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
United States of America
Ancestors
Narragansett Pacer, Canadian Pacer, Morgan, Thoroughbred