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The Horse America Made
The American Saddlebred has a long and proud history and can trace its roots back centuries. Naturally-gaited Galloway and Hobbie horses were brought to North America from the British Isles - these horses were selectively bred into the Narragansett Pacer along the eastern seaboard. This Pacer was crossed with Thoroughbreds in the early 1700s, and the Saddlebred was born.
Not Just a Pretty Face
These horses retained the size and beauty of the Thoroughbred but retained the easy-riding gaits. Saddlebreds were used for riding, as carriage horses and for other work, and were prized for their pleasant attitudes, work ethic, strength, and stamina. They were used extensively during the Civil War, with many Generals, including Robert E. Lee, riding them into battle. After the war, they became stars in show ring with their beauty and style.
What are Gaits?
Saddlebreds can be five-gaited or three-gaited. Three-gaited Saddlebreds show at the walk, trot and canter, but five-gaited ones show at those three, plus the slow gait and rack. Most equestrians are familiar with walk, trot, and canter, but what are the slow gait and rack?
The slow gait is a four beat lateral gait and is also known as the stepping pace. This is a broken pace, where the hind and front leg on the same side leaves the ground and lands at slightly different times. The rack is a flashy, fast and exaggerated four beat walk where each foot meets the ground independently of each other.
- Published:
8/4/2020:
1:00:15 PM ET
- Updated:
1/16/2023:
12:06:57 PM ET