| as the "Peacock of the Show Ring", the American | | | | "rack", a fast-paced, high-stepping motion off powerful |
| Saddlebred is a uniquely American breed that is | | | | springy hocks which is often on display in Saddle Seat |
| famous for its showy gaits. They are elegant, stylish, | | | | competitions. In addition to being flashy, these gaits are |
| and famously vain, loving the attention they attract | | | | also comfortable to sit, because of the flowing motion |
| when in the ring. Known variously over time as the | | | | of the horse's body. As in the Tennessee Walking |
| American Horse, the Kentucky Saddler, and the | | | | Horse, foot "soring" (causing pain) to give a more |
| American Saddle Horse, the American Saddlebred | | | | active foot action is sometimes done to the |
| began with the Galloway and Hobbie horses brought | | | | Saddlebred. |
| to North America by British colonists in the 1600's. | | | | They excel at what ever they are trained for. If |
| Through selective breeding, superior horses were | | | | conditioned and trained properly, with kindness and |
| developed in Rhode Island and Virginia and used | | | | empathy, they are capable of almost any task they |
| throughout the colonies. Called Narragansett Pacers | | | | are asked to perform and a Saddlebred will do his |
| after Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay, it is thought that | | | | best to do what is asked of him and will do it with |
| Paul Revere rode one on his famous ride. | | | | style. They are alert, aware, intelligent, eager, gentle |
| The first Thoroughbreds were imported in 1706 and | | | | friendly, good-natured, and very adaptable with a |
| crossed with Narragansett Pacer stock, but the prolific | | | | people-pleasing attitude and a love of human contact. |
| crossbreeding of Narragansetts with Thoroughbreds, | | | | They are prized for a pleasant temperament, |
| combined heavy exports to Spanish colonists in the | | | | eagerness, strength and stamina. |
| Caribbean islands, led to the disappearance of pure | | | | Because of the increased popularity of the |
| Narragansett Pacers. Canadian Pacers began to be | | | | Saddlebred, breeders began to ask for the formation |
| introduced so the bloodlines would not be lost. | | | | of a breed registry in the 1880's. Charles F. Mills of |
| By the time of the American Revolution, an all-purpose | | | | Springfield, Illinois, began compiling pedigrees and |
| riding horse called the "American Horse" was | | | | formulating rules for a registry. A blurb in a Louisville, |
| recognized. The American Horse was first | | | | Kentucky newspaper called for a meeting on April 7, |
| documented in a 1776 letter to the Continental | | | | 1891 to organize the association and the American |
| Congress from an American diplomat in France who | | | | Saddle-Horse Breeders’ Association (ASHBA) |
| wanted one as a gift for Marie Antoinette. The horses | | | | was established that same day. It was the first horse |
| retained the gaits and stamina of the Narragansetts, | | | | breed association and registry in the United States for |
| but added the Thoroughbred's size and quality and the | | | | an American breed of horse. |
| Saddlebred type had been established. | | | | In 1908, after years of discussion, the ASHBA formally |
| The American Horse was further developed in | | | | acknowledged Denmark F.S. as the sole Foundation |
| Kentucky in the 19th Century by plantation owners | | | | Sire of the American Saddle Horse. However, after |
| who wanted a good looking horse that was also | | | | careful review of bloodlines in 1991, Harrison Chief 1606 |
| comfortable to ride. Originally, these horses were | | | | was also named a Foundation Sire for his contribution |
| known as Kentucky Saddlers. Later, they were known | | | | to the formation of the breed. |
| as American Saddle Horses, and eventually the name | | | | As the registry grew, the name no longer reflected the |
| American Saddlebred was adopted. | | | | expanding functions of the Association, so on April 22, |
| While these horses were originally bred for pleasure | | | | 1980, the name was changed to American Saddlebred |
| riding and farm inspections, today, they have been | | | | Horse Association (ASHA). In 1985, when ASHA |
| successful in nearly all equine disciplines under both | | | | moved its headquarters, it became the first breed |
| English and Western tack. From cow horses to | | | | registry to call the Kentucky Horse Park home. |
| jumpers; from dressage to carriage horses and saddle | | | | In 2005, by means of an internal corporate |
| seat competitions, they can also be seen as parade | | | | reorganization of the functions of the registry and a |
| mounts, where their graceful gaits are especially | | | | companion organization previously named the |
| well-suited. | | | | American Saddlebred Horse Association Foundation, |
| Saddlebreds are large equines, standing 15.0 to 16.2 | | | | the American Saddlebred Horse Association became |
| hands high. They come in brown, chestnut, bay, gray or | | | | the membership organization, with all functions of the |
| black, although chestnut predominates. Other colors | | | | registry in the American Saddlebred Registry which is |
| are acceptable, and some have been especially bred | | | | a separate corporation. |
| for the palomino and pinto colors. | | | | The American Saddlebred Registry registers |
| They have a narrow refined head with large honest | | | | approximately 3,000 horses a year and their microfilm |
| eyes, long upright neck, deeply sloping athletic | | | | archives hold over 80 years of Saddlebred history and |
| shoulders, good deep barrel, and strong muscular | | | | records. And there are now so many Saddlebred |
| hindquarters with a level croup. The tail and the neck | | | | farms in Shelby County, Kentucky that they lay claim |
| are carried high with good natural poll flexion, although | | | | to being the "Saddle Horse Capital of the World." |
| some people have the neck surgically "set" for high | | | | As for genetic anomalies, veterinarians do not yet |
| carriage. | | | | know if Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis |
| They are also famous for having long, flowing tails, | | | | (DSLD) has its roots in genetics, overuse of affected |
| which are often kept tied up in the stable so they can | | | | limbs, hormone fluctuations (previously-sound |
| grow to incredible lengths without snagging by being | | | | broodmares may develop symptoms of DSLD around |
| dragged on the ground. Saddlebreds are usually left | | | | foaling time), or if it is some combination of these |
| unbraided for competition to show off their streaming | | | | factors. Although the condition is probably best known |
| manes and tails. However, the breed is often ridden | | | | in gaited breeds (American Saddlebreds, Peruvian |
| with their tails “set” with a special piece | | | | Pasos, Peruvian crosses, Standardbreds, and National |
| of harness that supports the tail, rather than allowing it | | | | Show Horses), it has also been diagnosed in Arabians, |
| to flow straight down naturally. Some people find the | | | | Thoroughbreds, and Andalusians. DSLD is a |
| look of a set tail aesthetically pleasing, and some | | | | progressive and rare condition and horses that |
| horses are "nicked" with a surgical procedure which | | | | develop it show increasing lameness, usually |
| allows them to carry their tails even higher. | | | | accompanied by physical changes in their pasterns as |
| Saddlebreds are either 3-gaited or 5-gaited horses. | | | | their suspensory ligaments lose their elasticity. |
| This means that in addition to the familiar gaits of walk, | | | | Veterinarians caution that symptoms differ greatly per |
| trot, and canter, they are also naturally capable of | | | | horse, but early signs might include stiffness in gait, |
| exhibiting other gaits. One is a four-beat slow gait | | | | change in attitude, and a reluctance to work. |
| which is like an ambling walk and the other is the | | | | |