THE FULL STORY: Tracing its roots to the naturally gaited Galloway and Hobby horses from the British Isles, these little horses were selectively bred to develop the Narraganset Pacer in the American Colonies. Fans of their easy riding gaits crossed these Narragansets with Thoroughbreds imported to America in the early 1700s, and by the Revolutionary War, people recognized a type of horse called simply "the American horse". These American horses had the larger size and beauty of the Thoroughbred, with the bonus ability to learn the easy-riding gaits. They were prized for a pleasant temperament, eagerness, strength, and stamina. Through continued crossing with Thoroughbreds and other breeds including Arabian and Morgan, by the time the first horse shows were held in Kentucky and Virginia in the early 1800s, American Saddlebreds were frequently judged the winners because of their beauty and style. Today, the American Saddlebred is best known for being a high stepping and elegant three-or five-gaited horse. A 5-gaited horse is distinguished by his walk, trot, canter, and two man-made gaits: the slow gait, and the rack. The slow gait and rack, developed from the Narraganset, are lateral gaits. The slow gait is a collected gait with each of the four feet striking the ground separately and distinctly, the hind foot hitting slightly before the front. In the rack, each foot meets the ground at equal intervals – giving a smooth ride with great animation and speed. Also popular today is the Pleasure division, which champions a more natural, pleasure gait. Traditionally, the colors of these horses have been conservative: bay, chestnut and black however crosses with Pinto-colored horses have created Pinto Saddlebreds of exceptional quality and style!
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