The New National Show Horse For The New Millenium

The National Show Horse originated as a crosssimplistic version is that in order to be registered as a
between two distinctive breeds because of a growingNational Show Horse, a foal may be the offspring of
need within the horse world for beautiful show horsestwo registered National Show Horse parents or it may
that had refinement, size, stamina, athletic ability andbe a combination between an American Saddlebred,
high-stepping action. The overwhelming foundationArabian, and a National Show Horse. However, the
breed choices for this new horse were the Americanmore complex version is that a specific set of rules
Saddlebred and the Arabian horse. These two basicmust be followed when combining any of these three
bloodlines have come together to produce a breedbreeds to make a National Show Horse. Breeders
that continues to surpass its own standards. It wasmay use only mares of those three breeds and the
established as a separate breed in 1981 with theresulting foal is only eligible for registration when the
founding of its breed registry, the National Show Horsemare is bred to the appropriate stallion so that the foal
Registry (NSHR).has no less than 25% but not more than 99% Arabian
The mixture of these breeds combines the refinementblood. These breeding combinations are as follows:
and stamina of the Arabian with the animated action-- Registered National Show Horse mares with 50% or
of the American Saddlebred. The resulting horse hasmore Arabian blood may be bred to stallions of any of
the high-set, upright, long, swan-like neck of thethe three breeds.
Saddlebred, but it should not have a pronounced crest.-- Registered National Show Horse mares with LESS
The head is generally small and refined with small earsthan 50% Arabian blood may not be bred to a
and a profile that is either straight or concave, with noSaddlebred stallion but may be bred to either a
Roman nose. The National Show Horse isNational Show Horse or an Arabian stallion.
close-coupled with a level topline and a very deep, laid-- Registered American Saddlebred mares may be
back shoulder. The tail is relatively high set, natural andbred to a Registered National Show Horse stallion with
flowing.50% or more Arabian blood; or to an Arabian stallion.
The horse's motion should be balanced with obvious-- Registered Arabian mares may be bred to either a
power from the hindquarters flowing into an elevatedNational Show Horse or a Saddlebred stallion.
front end, with the front legs showing both flexion andIn addition, non-National Show Horse mares and
extension. When the horse is observed either at reststallions must be registered with their respective breed
or in motion, it must display a natural presence or,registries (either Arabian or American Saddlebred).
when animated, it should present extreme brilliance.And the stallions that are registered as Arabian or
The horse must exhibit high carriage when eitherSaddlebreds must also be both nominated and
showing or relaxed.approved by the NSHR board of directors before they
The National Show Horse ranges in height from 14.3 tocan be used for breeding a registerable National Show
16.2 hands high, though there may be some individualHorse foal. All foals who were born in 1999 or later, as
horses that are larger or smaller. And the breedwell as all broodmares, must have their blood type
comes in a variety of colors, including the traditionalDNA information on file with the NSHR before a foal
bay, gray, chestnut and black of the Arabian; with thecan be registered.
American Saddlebred ancestry adding an evenAs for genetic anomalies, Degenerative Suspensory
broader range of color, most notably including, pintoLigament Desmitis (DSLD) is a possible disorder of this
and palomino which are generally not found in thebreed. Veterinarians do not yet know if Degenerative
Arabian breed.Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) has its roots in
And, of course, they have the high-stepping action ofgenetics, overuse of affected limbs, hormone
the Saddlebred and can be trained to move with afluctuations (previously-sound broodmares may
very elevated front end. Most can be trained to bedevelop symptoms of DSLD around foaling time), or if
five-gaited by adding the slow gait and the rack to theit is some combination of these factors. Although the
traditional walk, trot and canter.condition is probably best known in gaited breeds
But the founders were not satisfied to just create a(American Saddlebreds, Peruvian Pasos, Peruvian
registry for a new breed; they were interested incrosses, Standardbreds, and National Show Horses), it
creating a new atmosphere of excitement in the showhas also been diagnosed in Arabians, Thoroughbreds,
ring, created by these spectacular horses themselves,and Andalusians. DSLD is a progressive and rare
in order to generate broader public appeal. They alsocondition and horses that develop it show increasing
designed new concepts and formats for their showslameness, usually accompanied by physical changes in
by adding incentives through a prize money systemtheir pasterns as their suspensory ligaments lose their
that would make it financially rewarding for theelasticity. Veterinarians caution that symptoms differ
exhibitors to show their horses, as well as generategreatly per horse, but early signs might include stiffness
enthusiasm for both exhibitors and spectators.in gait, change in attitude, and a reluctance to work.
Throughout the creation of this special breed, theBut the exciting and new National Show Horse breed
NSHR took steps to make a variety of combinationsis a very versatile saddle-seat breed, that can also be
possible of the three foundation breeds, Arabian,used for show jumping, dressage, endurance or
Saddlebred and National Show Horse, in order towestern riding, and with the new show formats and
produce a registerable National Show Horse. Theconcept, it is destined to become a truly national breed.