Chapter XIII. 



AMERICAN SADDLE HORSES. 



The saddle horse is a modern production based on a growing de- 

 mand for something not only handsome, but comfortable as well, for 

 saddle use. The English style of riding, as aped by "riding masters" 

 in the eastern cities, is so essentially uncomfortable and really inelegant 

 as to seem ridiculous to any one who knows what a good saddle animal 

 is. The trot, of all gaits, is the one least suited to ease and elegance in 

 the saddle, and the bent-knee, sit-down-on-a-tack-and-jump-up-again 

 action of the would-be stylish, short-stirrup rider of the park hack should 

 be very stylish, indeed, to compensate for the utter absence of all things 

 elegant. 



The American Saddle Horse is now recognized among the newly 

 formed breeds. The National Saddle Horse Breeders' Association was 

 organized in June, 1891, and under the guidance of Secretary I. B. Nail, 

 Louisville, Ky. , has already issued Vol. I. of the Stud Book. Rules for 

 entry to the second volume are as follows : 



"i. Stallions that trace on either sire's or dam's side direct to foundation, regis-. 

 tered stock, or to stock eligible to registry, and go the following gaits : (i) walk, (2) trot, 

 (3) rack, (4) canter, (5) running walk, fox trot or slow pace. Mares or geldings that go 

 the gaits specified above. 



"2. Any stallion whose sire, grand sire, dam and grand dam are of strains of blood 

 recognized by this association. 



" 3. Any stallion that has sired five or more performers under rule i. 



"4. Any mare that has produced two or more performers under rule i. 



" 5. Progeny of a standard horse out of a standard mare. 



"6. The female progeny of a standard horse, when out of a mare by a standard 

 horse." 



The origin of the Saddler is, of course, found in Thoroughbred 

 blood, supplemented by the blood of easy pacers which have proved 

 potent in imparting saddle gaits. As stated by Secretary Nail, the 

 association recognizes as "foundation stock," under rules above, the 

 following individual sources of saddle blood : 



Denmark, Thoroughbred, by Imp. Hedgeford ; Brinker's Drennon, 

 by Davy Crockett ; Sam Booker, by Boyd McNary, Thoroughbred ; 

 John Dillard, by Indian Chief; Tom Hal, imp. from Canada; Coleman's 

 Eureka; Vanmeter's Waxy; Cabell's Lexington, by Blood's Black 

 Hawk; .Copperbottom, pacer; Stump-the-Dealer; Texas, by Comanche: 

 Prince Albert, by Frank Wolford ; Peter's Halcorn, and Varnon's Roe- 

 buck, a Missouri horse. 



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