10 Reasons to Fall in Love with the American Saddlebred

Whether you’re learning about the American Saddlebred for the first time or fell in love with one long ago, this blog post will offer some horsey sanction. Saddlebreds are wonderful. The breed itself is referred to as “The Horse America Made” and descended from riding-type horses bred at the time of the American Revolution. A few of its ancestors? The Narragansett Pacer, Canadian Pacer, Morgan and Thoroughbred. The American Horse was so smooth in its gait and successful, an American diplomat in France wanted one as a gift for Marie Antoinette. Style doesn’t get much fancier than that.

Tell us why you love your Saddlebred (or the one you ride) in the comments.

Here are ten reasons to fall in love with the American Saddlebred (even though we can think of more reasons than that).

1. They have an innate ability to provide a partnership in and out of the show ring.

Saddlebreds are particularly unique within their spirit. They’re sensitive when dealing with people and at the same time, very people-oriented and fixated on “their human.” Once they trust someone, they’re deeply eager to please. They huff and puff and work within the deepness of their potential. When you find a connection between humans and horses like this, it’s hard to ignore.

2. They are born to be admired.

“They’re alive; widely known as the peacock of the show ring. You can see the muscles tremble in their shoulders as they debate bursting into a powerful high-stepping trot past the fence line.”

The confidence and pride that Saddlebreds hold is something of childhood fairytales; a “look at me!” attitude that makes the people that fall in love with them instantly and forever. When they trot into a pasture, they raise their necks and blow loudly into the air, as if reminding the world that they’re merrily there. They’re alive; widely known as the peacock of the show ring. You can see the muscles tremble in their shoulders as they debate bursting into a powerful high-stepping trot past the fence line. Their expressive character, the way they hold their head, the expression in their neck, how they look around and blow at things...all robust indications that they are full of life.  

3. Their energy (and gaits) are addicting; the joy within them contagious. 

Anyone that’s ridden an American Saddlebred knows this feeling. And if you ever experienced a Saddlebred rack you’ll never want to go back. Saddlebreds, unlike most horses, have two ambling gaits: the rack and slow gait. The rack is a fast, four-beat gait that is synchronous. Each foot meets the ground at separate, equal intervals making for a smooth, fast feel. When you ride these horses, it’s a feeling that you can hold the world with your heart and find an energy almost unexplainable beneath you. Their bouncy walk, uplifted trot, and flowing canter offers you the entire universe, it seems. There is truly not an energy like it. 

The ASHA Youtube channel has a great video highlighting the American Saddlebred if you wanted to take a deeper look.

4. Saddlebreds have endearing, goofy, personalities.

Whether it’s in their expressive eyes or curious glances, Saddlebreds are wonderful to spend stall time with and observe. They’re often happy and alert, with distinguished mental acuteness. Someone once said they have the same temperament as a kitten (curious and energetic) and that made us chuckle.

5. They have an incredible, unique history.

In the 1800s the Saddle Horse was used in battle, particularly the Civil War. The most high ranking officials on both sides rode Saddlers. General Lee rode his noble steed, Traveller. Grant was on Cincinnati, Sherman’s mount was a horse named Lexington. And Stonewall Jackson rode Little Sorrell. The first national horse show was in 1856. Because of the success of the Saddle Horse itself, gifted horsemen finally made a living in the horse show business. Eventually, in 1891, the American Saddlebred Horse Association, originally known as the National Saddle Horse Breeders Association, was founded in Louisville, Kentucky. And we can’t forget about Wing Commander. He won over 300 first place ribbons and 6 World Championships during his impressive 15-year show career. He was featured in a spread in Life Magazine in 1954.

To read even more about American Saddlebred history, we recommend visiting the American Saddlebred Horse Association page.

CH Imperator

6. They’re one of the most versatile breeds.

The smoothness of their gait, combined with their speed, powerful muscle and intelligence make these horses incredibly diverse. Saddlebreds excel in many non-traditional disciplines like Saddleseat, eventing, show jumping, dressage, combined driving, western pleasure, endurance and competitive trail riding. And they do it all with style. At Willow Falls Farm, we teach Saddleseat with our Saddlebreds, a style of english riding that enhances the pride and joy of the breed.

“Saddlebreds can be fantastic sport horses if given the chance,” says Rachel Kelley of Crestwood, Kentucky (according to an article about Saddlebreds in Horse Illustrated). “George [her event horse] really helps people get past their misconceptions of the breed. Everywhere we go, people ask what kind of horse he is, and they are usually completely shocked when I tell them he is a full Saddlebred.”

7. They’re easy to train and eager to please.

This breed throws itself into its work - and truly takes their job seriously. Most uniquely, they’re happy work hard. They do so with their ears up and a go-forward attitude. To top it off, their fanciness doesn’t stop them from being extremely lovely. They have a ‘crawl into your pocket’ sort of attitude. And quickly become your gooey best friend.

Victoria and Vinnie

Photo by Kendra Provo Photography

8. They make very suitable therapeutic mounts.

Despite their fancy show ring demeanor, Saddlebreds make incredible therapy horses. Like we mentioned above, Saddlebreds are curious social butterflies. They love to be attentive and in-tune to what’s going on around them, making them a plentiful joy for young riders. Relationships with the riders become instantly effortless and open.

9. They come in all different sizes and colors.

While Saddlebreds are animated and gorgeous, they come in many different colors: pinto, palomino, grey, bay, chestnut, black and more (a favorite horsey characteristic among the little kids). 

10. Famous people enjoy them (wink, wink). And there are many famous Saddlebreds!

Now, we’re going to name drop a bit. William Shatner raised Saddlebreds and even featured one of his mares in an episode of Star Trek. Heavy-weight boxing champion Joe Louis owned and bred Saddlebreds in the 1940s. The original fab five member of Queer Eye, Carson Kressley loves the American Saddlebred as well. And let us not forget one of our favorite Saddleseat riders, Leslie Jordan from Will and Grace. His Instagram is one of our favorite places on the internet.

As far as horses go, Highland Dale (sometimes called “Fury”) was a Saddlebred featured in the 1946 version of Black Beauty. King was a Saddlebred featured in the National Velvet series (1960-1962). And even Mr. Ed was half American Saddlebred. In Gone with the Wind, Ashley Wilkes (played by Leslie Howard) to ride off to the Civil War on was a 3-gaited show horse named Anacacho Rebel.

Highland Dale, also known as “Fury” in Black Beauty

Anacacho Rebel in Gone with the Wind

There you have it! What is your favorite thing about the American Saddlebred?