American Saddlebred Horse

Trotting and pacing horses went out of fashion in England in the 17th century as Thoroughbred racing became established. Many of these discarded strains found their way to America and in a short space of time founded "American" breeds in which these gaits were preserved, refined, and adapted to meet the needs of the colonists. The American Saddlebred is based upon two of these early American pacers, the Canadian Pacer and the Narragansett Pacer.

EARLY PACERS
The Canadian Pacer and the Narragansett Pacer had the smooth, comfortable gaits of their English forbears, and provided the foundation for the American Saddlebred, the Standardbred and the less well-known Tennessee Walking Horse. The Canadian Pacer came from France and was descended from ambling horses imported from Britain in the Middle Ages, while the Narragansett was developed in New England, in particular by the plantation owners around Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Both breeds became extinct; the latter largely because of its great popularity with sugar-cane planters in the West Indies, where it was exported in such large numbers that the stock was virtually sold out by the end of the 18th century.

THE SADDLEBRED
The Saddlebred, like many of the American breeds, began as an essentially practical animal, albeit one that was created to satisfy both the aesthetic requirements and the day-to-day needs of the southern aristocracy. It evolved during the 19th century in the southern states, particularly around Kentucky, and was initially known as the Kentucky Saddler. Standing at 1.63 m (16 hh) or more, it was the result of selective breeding based on the Canadian and Narragansett Pacers; the Morgan Horse and the thoroughbred the result - elegant utility horse. In the early days it would have been used in the plough, carried a man in comfort throughout a long lay over rough terrain, and could have doubled up as a smart carriage horse to go church on Sundays.

MULTI-PURPOSE HORSE
The modern Saddlebred is perhaps best known as a show-ring animal exhibited under saddle. However, it is also a fine farness horse. In many respects it is not dissimilar from the British Hackney although it has a far more pronounced riding wither, a long, elegant, acutely curved neck, and greater refinement about the head. The ability to move in the  specialized high-stepping action is the legacy of the old pacers and amblers; while the speed, courage, and beauty of form derive from the Thoroughbred.

With its feet trimmed normally, rather than for the show ring, the Saddlebred is also used extensively for pleasure and trail riding; it can cut cattle, jump well, follow hounds, or compete in dressage. It is claimed that despite having a "natural fire" it is a very docile and co-operative horse.

IN THE SHOW RING
The modern Saddlebred is shown in the show ring both under saddle and in harness. In the saddle division, it is shown in either three- or five-gaited classes. Three-gaited horses are shown at walk, trot, and canter, each gait being performed in a slow, collected manner with high action. Three-gaited horses are shown with a hogged mane and trimmed tail. The five-gaited horse, the supreme Saddlebred, is shown with a full mane and tail. As well as the first three gaits, it performs the slow gait, a prancing, four-beat motion with a moment of deliberate suspension preceding each footfall, and the rack, the frill-speed "flashy, four-beat gait free from any lateral movement or pacing".