American
Saddlebred
Breed Description:
The Saddlebred is a five-gaited breed. Most Saddlebreds are born with
the ability to learn the slow-gait (stepping pace) and the
rack.
The
American Saddlebred is descended from the Narragansett Pacer, a
breed that is technically "extinct" in the United States. In the early
1700s, Narragansett mares were crossed with imported English
Thoroughbreds, and their descendants were known simply as the "American
Horse." Horses of this type had the size and refinement of the
Thoroughbred, but retained the ability to learn the pacing gaits that
were the forte of their Narragansett ancestors. American Horses were
particularly popular as riding horses, since their smooth gaits made
them much more comfortable over long distances.
The American Horse played an essential role in the American Revolution,
and by the early 1800s these sturdy horses were prized for their
endurance and style. They became particularly popular in Kentucky,
which claimed the breed as its own. The addition of Morgan and
Standardbred blood helped to further refine the breed, and by the Civil
War the American Saddlebred was one of the most popular riding horses
in America. General Robert E. Lee rode a racking Saddlebred
(Traveller), and so did many other Civil War generals.
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