American Saddlebred
slowmotiongli/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
The American Saddlebred horse breed dates back to the 1700s, when colonists crossed
In the past, American Saddlebreds were used in war and on farms and plantations. Today, these horses are valued for their versatility, beauty, and demeanor. Keep reading to learn about American Saddlebred characteristics, health concerns, and more.
American Saddlebred Snapshot
-
Height: 15.1 to 16.3 hands (60.4 to 65.2 inches)
-
Weight: 1,000 to 1,200 pounds
-
Lifespan: 25 to 35 years
-
Colors: Most common are chestnut, bay, brown, black, gray, pinto, or palomino; can have white markings
Caring for an American Saddlebred
American Saddlebred horses aren’t difficult to care for. However, be sure that athletes and show horses are given the right diet and the proper amount of rest between exercise and competitions—doing so can help reduce the risk of injuries.
American Saddlebreds can be prone to certain medical conditions, including those that are genetically inherited. As with all other breeds, preventive veterinary and farrier care are necessary.
American Saddlebred Health Issues
Like all breeds, American Saddlebreds can develop health problems with age. These horses are also prone to genetic conditions. And if they’re used in equestrian sports or shows, they could end up with health issues involving their joints and hooves.
Hock or Stifle Lameness
The hock, which is in the hind leg, is similar to the human ankle. It is made up of four joints, and it’s also known as the tarsus. The hock is responsible for flexion and extension, as well as shock absorption.
Hock lameness can develop from repetitive movements or excessive use, such as during training and showing. It can also be caused by osteochondritis dissecans, injuries, fractures, arthritis, and bone cysts.
Hock lameness
-
Swelling or heat in the hock
-
Shifting weight while standing
-
Stiffness
-
Soreness
-
Difficulty going downhill
-
Reacting when you try to pick up the horse’s hind leg
The stifle is in the hind leg of a horse, and i
Stifle lameness can lead to symptoms
-
Shortened stride
-
Dragging of the toe
-
Reluctance to work
-
Difficulty walking up and down hills or backing up
-
Difficulty going from canter to trot or trot to canter
-
Soreness
Rest along with
These conditions
Sidebone
Sidebone is a hardening of the cartilage plates in the
However, your horse may feel pain when touched if the sidebone is fractured, such as when a veterinarian examines them.
If sidebone causes lameness, it can typically be treated with rest and medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs).
Ringbone
Ringbone affects the coffin and pastern joints. Low ringbone will impact the coffin joint, while high ringbone will impact the pastern.
Ringbone is an arthritic disease, so it’s progressive and degenerative. It can be caused by wear and tear, injury, osteochondrosis, infection, or bone cysts.
Symptoms of ringbone in horses include:
-
Lameness
-
Swelling
-
Pain when the joint is flexed
Exercise and activity modifications, as well as medications like anti-inflammatories are good treatment options. Your veterinarian will determine what course of action is best to give your horse relief.
Lordosis
Also known as swayback, lordosis causes a horse to have a dip in their spine because the ligaments along the back are weak. It can develop with age or be inherited, in which case younger American Saddlebreds can be affected.
Lordosis can also occur when a mare has had multiple pregnancies.
Typically, horses who have mild to moderate lordosis can still perform well. However, those with a severe case can develop lameness or have problems with their back because this condition affects the tendons, ligaments, and vertebrae of the spine.
Horses with lordosis can be ridden, but
Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa (JEB)
American Saddlebred horses
Symptoms can be present at birth or develop shortly after birth. Foals develop skin blisters that progress into lesions on pressure points and continue to worsen. Sloughing (shedding) of the hooves may also occur.
Unfortunately, JEB is incurable, and humane euthanasia may be the only option because foals usually die from infection. However, this condition may be prevented with DNA testing of breeding stock to prevent it from being passed on to
What To Feed an American Saddlebred
American Saddlebred horses are easy keepers, meaning they can gain weight easily and develop weight-related problems.
As a general rule, you can feed a horse about 2% of their body weight in forage daily. For example, a horse weighing 1,000 pounds would get about 20 pounds of forage throughout the day. Performance or competition horses need more nutrients and calories.
-
Mixed legume hay
-
Grains
-
Alfalfa hay
-
Ground flax
Horses also need salt and access to fresh water.
Work with your veterinarian to come up with a diet based on your horse’s activity level, age, and whether or not they perform—this will help ensure you’ll give them the energy they need without unwanted weight gain.
Your veterinarian might also recommend adding certain supplements to your horse’s diet, such as vitamins and minerals to ensure all nutrient needs are met, healthy fats to support joint health, and other supplements to target particular health concerns.
American Saddlebred Disciplines
American Saddlebreds are powerful performers and are renowned in the saddle seat discipline. They are
The American Saddlebred horse excels in a variety of disciplines, such as:
-
Saddle seat
-
Driving
-
Eventing
-
Pleasure riding
-
Endurance riding
-
Ranch riding
-
Dressage
-
Hunter/Jumper
In addition to competing, the versatile American Saddlebred makes a lovely companion horse for leisurely trail riding, and can also be used for farm work or carriage pulling.

American Saddlebred Personality and Temperament
Every horse is one-of-a-kind, but American Saddlebred horses are generally known for being eager to please, loyal, and willing to learn and work. They’re also curious, sensitive, and friendly, as well as courageous, confident, and intelligent.
Saddlebreds may bond strongly with their owners, riders, and trainers. These horses are a pleasure to work with and handle, whether you’re training them to compete in an American Saddlebred horse show or using them for riding as a hobby.
American Saddlebred horses make great family companions and they can also be good for riders of all levels, including beginners and children.
American Saddlebred Training
American Saddlebred horses are intelligent, alert, and eager to please, so they aren’t challenging to train. Whether you want to train your horse for the show ring, want your horse to perform new gaits, or you want a calm companion horse for riding, the key is to be consistent and patient.
Positive reinforcement training will also help you develop a strong bond with your horse.
When training an American Saddlebred, keep the horse engaged and interested by providing variety that prevents boredom. This could be as simple as taking your horse on different trails or incorporating new exercises often so they aren’t doing the same things all the time.
American Saddlebred Grooming Guide
All horses benefit from a grooming routine that keeps their skin, coat, and hooves healthy. You can use the same techniques to groom your American Saddlebred that you
In addition to being a great time for bonding with your horse, grooming sessions allow you to look for symptoms that need veterinary attention (e.g., signs of skin conditions like warts, ringworm, and rain rot).
Coat Care
Use high-quality horse grooming tools, including a curry comb, dandy brush, shedding blade, mane and tail brush, and body brush, to get the best results and make the experience relaxing for your horse.
Focus on gently detangling and combing the mane and tail, in addition to brushing through the coat to remove dirt, debris, and loose hairs. Some people also braid the mane for easier maintenance.
If your horse competes in the show ring, you might opt to clip their tail and roach their mane. Between events, you could use a mud knot to keep the tail clean.
Hoof Care
A horse’s hooves should be checked and cleaned daily to remove debris that ends up stuck in them from everyday activities. Use a top-quality
Hire a professional farrier to examine the hooves on a regular basis. They can shoe your horse and ensure the hooves are healthy and balanced to help prevent injuries and pain, especially in horses who perform.
American Saddlebred FAQs
What are American Saddlebred horses used for?
American Saddlebred horses are used in a range of disciplines. They can be trained for shows and competitions in saddle seat, dressage, riding, and more. They’re also good family companions and farm workers.
Is a Tennessee Walker a Saddlebred?
No, the Tennessee Walker (
How much does an American Saddlebred cost?
American Saddlebred prices vary based on a variety of factors, such as the horse’s age, bloodline, health, level of training, and level of experience in the competitive world. Prices can also vary based on location.
On average, American Saddlebred horses cost $10,000 or less, but some performance horses might cost closer to $100,000.
How can you tell if a horse is a Saddlebred?
Some of the distinguishing features of an American Saddlebred horse include:
-
Sculpted and muscular body
-
Large eyes
-
Forward ears
-
High-set tail
-
Short back
-
Slim, long, and arched neck
Saddlebreds are high-stepping and can perform up to give gaits: walk, trot, canter, slow gait, and rack.