Saddlebred Horse Breed

Saddlebred Horse
A very trainable good looking horse with a wonderful temperament make it a popular choice for many forms of riding.

Height
15 HH to 17HH

Color
Chestnut, bay, brown, black, gray, palomino and spotted.

Conformation

Head is well defined with a kind eye and alert ears.
Neck is long and curved with defined withers.
The back is short and strong.
The hindquarters are well muscled and powerful.
Deep girth and ample chest.
The limbs are straight and strong with strong hooves that for showing classes the hooves are often allowed to grow extra long with weighted shoes added to enhance the action of the horse.
Tail is high set (in showing classes an operation is often performed to give an unnaturally high tail carriage).

History
In the 19th Century the Kentucky Saddler as it was originally called was developed by settlers in the Southern States of North America. This breed is a result of mixing local American breeds with the English Thoroughbred to give the settlers of the time a horse who had speed, intelligence, natural balance, stamina and a good temperament both under saddle and in harness.

Uses

Under saddle.
Showing.
Driving.
Barrel racing.
Stock work.
Jumping.

The American Saddle Horse Breeders Association
The ASHA works at all levels to increase the popularity of the breed, to provide training and maintain the integrity of the breed.

Famous Fact
Due to their good looks Saddlebreds have been used along side other film horses in films such as Zorro, National Velvet, Gone with the Wind and Mr Ed and the Lone Rangers "Silver".