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Horse facts as told by a Shetland pony.
Gypsy, the Equine Encyclopedia, tells about the AMERICAN SADDLEBRED.
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The American Saddlebred originated as a cross between the Thoroughbred, Canadian Pacer, Arabian, Morgan, American Trotter and other breeds. The breed was first named the Kentucky Saddler. Later, the name was changed to the American Saddlebred.
In 1901, the registry, which went by the name of the American Saddle Horse Association, listed ten founding sires but by 1908 the list had been shortened to only one, the great Thoroughbred stallion, Denmark.
In the showring, the Saddlebred is known for high head carriage, flashy, high-stepping gaits and a flagged tail. Depending on the individual, Saddlebreds may be 3 or 5-gaited. Horses with the ability to perform all five can do the walk, trot, canter, slow gait or amble, and the rack. 3-gaited horses only perform the walk, trot and canter.
Saddlebreds with pinto markings can be also registered with the PtHA (Pinto Horse Association).
The original Saddlebred Registry was founded in 1891 but the name we know it by today was adopted in 1980.
A lifelike Breyer model of a pinto Saddlebred weanling.
Hooves and Claws 