• Other names: American Saddlebred, Kentucky Saddlebred, Kentucky Saddler, American Saddle Horse or Saddle Horse)

• The Saddlebred is the most famous and numerous of the American gaited breeds

• This elegant horse was developed during the 19th century in Kentucky by plantation owners, it was regarded as a practical, all-rounder but now it us known as a show-ring horse, both under saddle and in harness

• The Saddlebred is a combination of Thoroughbred, Morgan, Canadian Pacer and Narragansette Pacer

• This interesting family tree has combined to produce a horse that may have 3 to 5 gaits depending on training

• The horse has great presence and spirit - it performs the walk, trot and canter (three-gaited). Five-gaited horses also perform the four-beat, slow gait and the rack. (The latter two are man-made gaits)

• The slow gait is a very smooth four beat rhythm where the front legs are lifted very high, a prance

• The rack is a faster version of the slow gait with a snappy knee and hock action

• This horse stands between 15 and 16 hands high

• All solid colours are available for this horse

• Warm blooded

• The ears are sharp, the eyes are large, the muzzle is small and the nostrils are wide and open

• This horse has a long, arched neck and a sloped shoulder

• The tail is set high and the legs are long and fine

• An intelligent, gentle horse who is both alert and curious